Post The Success Of Mirzapur & Sacred Games, Pankaj Tripathi Reveals Being Loaded With Work Offers!

“Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain,” actor Pankaj Tripathi exclaims in acknowledgement of the love and praise he has received for his versatile roles across films and web series over the years. He says he is swarmed with good scripts, but doesn’t have enough time to devote to all.

“People have really liked Mirzapur. The public is giving a lot of love. Two years ago, I used to feel I have done so many films… who knows me. Now I wonder… Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain (so many people have started recognising me). I don’t know what’s happening. I am only doing my work with sincerity. Rest, I don’t know what is happening,” Pankaj told IANS here in his distinctive style.

From playing Sultan Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur to leading the cast of the film Gurgaon to playing pivotal roles in web series like Sacred Games and Mirzapur – Pankaj’s growth trajectory is a shining example of how character artistes are coming into their own with the changing landscape of Indian showbiz.

It is convenient to say he has almost become synonymous with gangster characters, but one cannot miss his roles in films like Newton, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain.

“I feel people want to watch crime stories and explore the genre, but honestly, I don’t like a lot of khoon kharaba (bloodshed). Even in Mirzapur, I am not seen indulging in any bloodshed. Even in Gangs of Wasseypur, my character was brutal, but he was seen in shooting once or twice.

“Personally, I am not fond of brutal bloodshed scenes. I like simple, ordinary tales, but I think youth is liking such crime stories and so they are made,” said Pankaj, who will be seen in Sacred Games 2.

He will be seen in comedy and satirical films like Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai and Luka Chhupi.

“There are so many offers, but I am booked till August. I’m getting some wonderful scripts in the independent cinema space, but there’s no time.

“Either I am telling the filmmakers to wait for me…but nobody will wait for me till next year. Still, I am taking out time in between everything and managing what I can,” the National School of Drama alumnus told IANS on the sidelines of the recently concluded International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

A National Award winner, Pankaj, who comes from Bihar, will also be seen as a flamboyant south Indian film star in Indrajit Lankesh’s Shakeela and as a farmer in Satish Kaushik’s Kaagaz.