From doing tiny unnoticed roles in films and television shows to becoming one of the most respected actors in the country, Pankaj Tripathi has come a long way in his career. Today, he is known for powerful performances in projects like Gangs of Wasseypur, Mirzapur, Stree and Bareilly Ki Barfi. Even after achieving so much success, the actor says he still does not consider himself a “star,” although he jokingly admits that his bank balance may disagree.
In a recent interview, Times of India Pankaj spoke openly about what stardom means to him. According to the actor, brands usually approach people who are stars and not just talented actors. He said that from a market point of view, advertisements and endorsements are one way to measure stardom. But personally, he believes true stardom comes from the love, trust and connection an actor shares with the audience.
When asked if he feels like a star now, Pankaj gave a humble and honest reply. He said his bank account may feel that way, but he still does not. He explained that popularity alone is not enough because even negative publicity can make someone famous. For him, the real goal has always been to become memorable through good work. He said he never tried to become popular but always wanted people to remember his performances for a long time.
Pankaj began his acting journey with a small uncredited role in the film Run in 2004. For many years, he struggled in the industry and appeared in minor parts in movies like Omkara, where he often went unnoticed. His big breakthrough came with Gangs of Wasseypur, which brought him recognition and praise from both audiences and critics.
Since then, Pankaj has built a strong reputation for his natural and realistic acting style. Whether it was comedy films like Bareilly Ki Barfi and Stree, emotional dramas like Mimi, or serious web series such as Criminal Justice and Mirzapur, he impressed viewers with every role.
The actor has also won major awards during his career. He received a National Film Award Special Mention for Newton and later won both the National Film Award and Filmfare Award for his role in Mimi. Pankaj believes that achieving success later in life helped him remain humble and grounded.
The actor is now preparing for the release of Mirzapur The Film, which is directed by Gurmmeet Singh. The film features actors like Ali Fazal, Rasika Dugal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar and Ravi Kishan. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 4.