Just when December started getting cooler, Pankaj Tripathi breezed through the city spreading his warmth. The ace actor was in Calcutta, to promote his film Kadak Singh along with co-star Sanjana Sanghi and director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, and he made a stop at JW Marriott Kolkata for a special session — ‘V Talk with Pankaj Tripathi’, organised by International Chamber of Business and Industry, with t2.
Moderated by actor Ekavali Khanna, the evening witnessed the charm of the actor who is known for his simple yet impactful roles on the big screen. Introducing Pankaj as a true friend, Khanna, who praised the film and the two main actors, began the session by asking Tripathi about his strength as an actor. “I think social connect does all the trick. I try to bring relatability to my characters and make sure that one shouldn’t feel that the character is utopian.”
He also spoke about the simplicity that has made a big impact on his fans: “Simplicity in life comes from your upbringing and in the acting world one needs practice and craft. I studied theatre for three years at the National School of Drama, with the taxpayers’ money, and I think it will be a disservice to the nation if I act badly.”
Does he still consider himself a student of cinema? The actor said: “Yes. I learn every day and I am a student and will be one till the end as learning is lifelong. People ask me if there’s a past role I would like to improve upon and I say all the roles. I saw Kadak Singh and I thought there could have been improvements in so many scenes, including (those of) Sanjana’s.” While the audience was amazed by his humility, he promised Sanjana, who plays his daughter in the Zee5 film, that he would point out scenes to improve her craft.
Soon the members of ICBI discovered the source of his humble nature as he talked about NSD-trained actors: “NSD tells us that acting is a game where no one is playing to compete or pull anyone down. It’s about working together to bring out the best, uplifting the scene, and presenting it to the audience.”
Tripathi who rose to fame with Anurag Kashyap’s Gang of Wasseypur, started his journey with minor roles in Omkara, Raavan and Agneepath. With utmost humility, he confessed to his bad acting in his earlier films and attributed his improvement to his desire to evolve. In simple yet deeply meaningful words, he said: “To go somewhere you need to step out. If you will not step out you will not go anywhere.”
Commenting on Tripathi’s X-factor, director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury said: “I think it’s his knowledge of life and not spontaneity or technicality that makes him one of the finest actors.”
Moving on, Tripathi talked about his love for Calcutta. “When you fall in love… you fall in love with the architecture of the city, the Maidan, the Victoria, Chowringhee, Dalhousie, Howrah and Babughat. It’s because of my wife that I fell in love with Calcutta in 1994-95. I love Calcutta so much that I am thinking of getting my Aadhar card made here!” He also spoke about how on his wedding day he kept shuttling between Howrah to Babughat, waiting for the train to arrive from Patna, which was delayed because of fog.
The session also focussed on Kadak Singh. Sanjana, who engaged in an immersive workshop, said: “I got the golden opportunity to learn under Pankaj sir and Tony da. Sakshi and Kadak Singh’s dynamics had so much to it that we got the chance to deep dive. We even did a 10-day workshop at Pankaj sir’s home with his guru from NSD Prasanna sir. I think in the middle of all that I picked up so many things.”
Answering a question about why Aniruddha chose Tripathi for his latest film he said: “First, he is one of the finest actors in the country. Second, when we started writing the script had Pankaj in mind. A director always dreams of his character and we could see him. Within two hours of sending him the script he said ‘yes’. Also, good things happen to good people.”
From reel life the evening turned to Pankaj’s real life and him as a father in real life. He said: “I am also learning to be her father. We are growing up together. I am learning to be a good father.”
The interaction with the audience towards the end added more to the evening with Tripathi, who will be seen next in Main Atal Hoon, answering every question with great interest, making sure the evening was worth it for all.

Farah Khatoon 
Pictures: Rashbehari Das