Mirzapur was still in talks. Stree had not yet released. But the actor, having already won his first National Award and riding high on the success of Gurgaon, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton and Anaarkali of Aarah, was already one of the busiest in Bollywood. He had hopped out of an auto wearing a pair of jeans and a checkered shirt for an interview and shoot, without any entourage.
We had a freewheeling conversation over cups of piping hot Sulemani Chai where he opened up about how the newfound fame was slowly changing things around him.
"Earlier the vegetable vendor in my locality would look down upon me, and now even he suggests that I should wear better clothes and comb my hair as I am a film star! So, yes, now he finally knows what I do," he had chuckled adding: "Paisa aur pyar humesha insaan jitna miley use zyada hi chahta hay. There is no limit to it. Uske chakkar mein parogey to pareshan ho jaoge." Cut to 2024. A lot has changed since that day.
Pankaj Tripathi is now a household name. He is the man behind some of the most interesting onscreen characters Bollywood has seen in recent times including Rudra (Stree), Anup Saxena (Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl), Sattu Bhaiya (Ludo), Bhanu (Mimi), Kanti Sharan Mudgal (OMG 2), ACP Bhavani Singh (Murder Mubarak), Guruji (Sacred Games), Madhav Mishra (Criminal Justice), and of course the iconic, Akhandanand Tripathi aka Kaleen Bhaiya (Mirzapur). Along the way, he has also picked up another National Award.
Today we are shooting at a Madh Island bungalow with an elaborate crew from both sides. It is pouring outside.
This story is from the July 2024 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2024 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Most Expensive Made-In-India Cars
From Mercedes limousines to variants of the flagship Land Rover, a surprising number of luxury flagship models are now locally assembled or produced in India
Making Noise In Quiet
Manik Handa of Eudaemon explains what it truly takes to define quiet luxury in India’s crowded retail market
Luggage Travails of a Frequent Flyer
Luxury and semi-luxury luggage are the new fashion frontier amongst the Indian jet set. Our writer though recommends extreme caution, unless you are the kind who can afford to fly in private jets
Ruling The Street
Either through imitation or rejection, streetwear continues to dominate the wardrobe of young India. We talk to those who follow the scene closely to understand its rise in status
Street Cred
Royal Enfield’s Guerrilla 450 is a thoroughly fun and exciting motorcycle—it is not that the Himalayan has just tidied up for a visit to the city
Now Serving.Indigenous India
India's culinary scene is buzzing with a quiet revolution, fueled by a vibrant comeback of hyperlocal ingredients. This movement isn't just about digging up fresh, local produce from across the nation—it's about rediscovering the deep, rich tapestry of India's diverse culinary heritage
CHAITANYA AKKINENI OF OLD LOVES AND NEW
The Akkineni-Daggubati family scion is starting a new phase, and life is looking more exciting than ever
Independence Movement
As we step into India's 77th year of Independence, we're shining the spotlight on four stunning timepieces, all designed from within the nation's borders
Precision in Motion
How Alain Zobrist and Omega Time the Olympics
The New Frontier
While India witnesses a massive growth in the number of global skincare brands entering the market, an increasing number of homegrown brands takeover the space and trust among consumers
