Survived on Wife’s Salary, Lived in One-Room Shed: Pankaj Tripathi

The ‘Criminal Justice’ actor has had his fair share of struggles.

Pankaj Tripathi plays the role of a lawyer in Criminal Justice.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

Criminal Justice actor Pankaj Tripathi, who has risen from a nobody in Bihar to an actor who commands huge respect, has got himself a new home in Madh Island. But he says he hasn't forgotten his roots which keep him grounded despite his unexpected success.

In a report by IANS, he recalled his early days of struggle when his wife and he used to live in a one-room shed in Patna.

“Today, my wife Mridula and I own our dream house. But I haven’t forgotten my one-room shed with its tin roof in Patna. One night, the rains and wind were so intense that one of the tin sheets blew away and I was left looking at the naked sky.”

Pankaj Tripathi

Just this week, Pankaj and his wife moved into their new home in Madh Island. Calling it his “dream home” and a “love nest”, here’s what the actor said with a catch in his voice:

“It was our dream home, a love nest at the seaside. Now I’ve finally bought our dream house in Madh Island. My wife got very emotional after we shifted into our new home,”

Pankaj Tripathi

When Pankaj was just starting out, he had no interest in movies. Theatre was his calling. However, eventually he realised that theatre was not a very financially lucrative option. So he moved to Mumbai to pursue acting in films.

Recalling his initial years he said

“My wife Mridula and I survived on her income in Mumbai. She was a qualified school teacher and she got a job in Mumbai while I did what all out-of-town actors in Mumbai do... Struggle. My first major role was in <i>Dharm</i> in 2007 where I got to work with my namesake, the great Pankaj Kapur.

Pankaj Tripathi

The actor’s recent performance in Criminal Justice is perhaps his best so far. But that’s not surprising as Pankaj is known to give outstanding performances for even the smallest parts in films like Masan, Newton, and Stree.

Talking about his role in the web series he said, "The praise for Criminal Justice is pouring in. People who are knowledgable about acting are praising me. Manoj Bajpayee called to say, 'Yeh tu kya kar raha hai? Kaise kar raha hai?' Manoj bhai is my role model and inspiration as he also came from rural Bihar and I felt that if he could become an actor, why can't I? It's a good feeling.”

“Until a year back, I accepted any role that was offered to me. Now I’m in a position to pick and choose.”

Pankaj Tripathi

How does Pankaj look back on his long years of struggle?

"With amazement and gratitude. Every experience has shaped the actor and human being that I am."

Pankaj Tripathi will be joining Irrfan Khan in upcoming Angrezi Medium.

(With inputs from IANS)