Pankaj Tripathi has looked back on the difficult years he endured before his breakout role in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, likening that period of his career to planting seeds on a farm and waiting patiently for them to bear fruit.
Pankaj Tripathi says he never needed external motivation
In an interview with ANI, the National Award-winning actor revealed that he never sought external motivation during the initial phase of his career. Instead, he channelled his energy into perfecting his craft, drawing on lessons from his upbringing in a farming family in Bihar. “I didn’t know that a person had to keep motivating themselves or make a separate effort to stay motivated. Honestly, I never felt that I needed motivation to live my life,” Tripathi said.The actor shared that he spent those years focused on preparation rather than fixating on success. “I was busy with my work. I was not getting a chance to act. So I was preparing for the rest of my work. I was learning my craft. I am learning it today even,” he said.
Pankaj Tripathi on his roots in a farming family
Describing how growing up in the countryside shaped his perspective, Tripathi likened his journey as an actor to the rhythm of farming. “Actually, I grew up in a village. That’s the world I come from. I belong to a farmer’s family, and going to the fields to work every morning was just a part of our daily life,” he said.Drawing on a farming analogy, the actor described his pre-breakthrough years as a phase of sowing seeds. “I was preparing myself. It’s just like I would put a seed, take it under favourable conditions and wait for it to sprout after 15 days,” he said. “Those years were a seeding process. It went on for a long time. People expect fruits in four months, and plants bear fruit every year. But my seeding process took a little longer,” he added.
Pankaj Tripathi on trusting the process
Tripathi shared that he had faith in the process and prioritised discipline over chasing quick results. “Even then, I was content with the way my life was progressing. I used to run every day, meditate, read books, and think about acting. I knew I was on the right track,” he said.The actor also opened up about the personal values that kept him grounded throughout his journey. “I don’t have any bad habits. I don’t smoke. I don’t have anger in my mind. I don’t have any hatred towards anyone. And I don’t have any fear of failure. So, I knew I was doing fine,” he said.He also shared that landing in Mumbai without significant expectations allowed him to see every outcome as something worth learning from. “I didn’t come to Mumbai with anything. So whatever happens here, I will get it. Either money, career or experience,” he said.
Pankaj Tripathi to receive international honour at IFFM 2026
Tripathi is set to be honoured with the prestigious ‘Artist of Distinction’ award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026, to be held on August 13, 2026, at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre — marking his first international career accolade.Reflecting on this milestone, the actor also spoke about the insights his years in acting have given him into human nature. “Through acting, I have come to understand that a person begins to understand the world, to observe, to judge, and even to make mistakes. But an entire lifetime is not enough to know the truth. And the greatest truth is to know oneself,” he said.He added, “When we play different characters, we try to understand their psychology. If a character behaves in a certain way, it is because they think differently. Through that process, I have realised that while a person may think they understand everything, it is very difficult to truly know oneself. We rarely question how our beliefs are formed or whether they might be wrong. We spend so much time meeting and understanding others that we hardly take the time to meet ourselves. Through acting, I have learned that it is a process that allows an actor to discover himself.”
Pankaj Tripathi’s upcoming projects
On the career front, Pankaj Tripathi’s slice-of-life drama ‘Ohh My Dog’, directed by Amit Rai, released in theatres on August 7. Adding to his busy schedule, he is set to return as the beloved Kaleen Bhaiya in ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’, which is slated to arrive in cinemas on September 4, 2026.
