‘I wasn’t getting a chance to act’

Pankaj Tripathi reflects on his journey before Gangs of Wasseypur casting

Actor Pankaj Tripathi has reflected on the years of struggle before his breakthrough in Gangs of Wasseypur, comparing that phase of his career to sowing seeds on a farm and patiently waiting for the harvest.

Speaking to ANI, the National Award-winning actor said he never looked for external motivation during the early years of his career. Instead, he focused on honing his craft, drawing inspiration from his upbringing in a farmer’s 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, who made his Hindi film debut in Run (2004) before gaining widespread recognition as Sultan Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), said he spent those years preparing rather than worrying about 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’s slice-of-life drama film Ohh My Dog, directed by Amit Rai was released on August 7.

He is also set to reprise his iconic role as Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur: The Movie.