What is behind Pankaj Tripathi's unmatched acting? Life lessons from sleeper class travel, stays at dharamshalas, gurudwaras
Face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Travelling shaped his worldview and craft
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Pankaj Tripathi's father could not buy a tractor. This changed his life and Bollywood got one of its brilliant actors
Pankaj Tripathi's work
In a world where stardom often comes wrapped in luxury and isolation, Pankaj Tripathi stands out not just for his acting prowess but for his groundedness. His secret? A lifetime of travel rooted in simplicity. From dusty village trails and sleeper class train compartments to humble nights at dharamshalas and gurudwaras , Tripathi's journey through India's heartland has shaped not just his personality but also his performances.Following his father's passing, Tripathi recently opened up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India about taking time off for physical healing and self-reflection. Alongside a fitness routine, he chose to travel within India and abroad, using the time to reconnect with himself and absorb the world around him.For Tripathi, travel has always been more than a break from routine, it's been an education. In a video shared by The Better India, he had once emphasised how travel teaches more than any classroom could, especially when done modestly. He has long advocated for young people to explore the country via local trains, staying at places like gurudwaras and dharamshalas to keep the experience raw, affordable, and authentic. According to him, such travel helps shape a person's worldview, empathy, and understanding of India's incredible diversity.This belief in travel's transformative power also finds expression in his role as the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism . In 2024, Tripathi was appointed brand ambassador for the state, a region deeply intertwined with his life and work. Having shot films like Stree, Stree 2, Lukka Chhupi, Oh My God 2, and Ludo there, he feels a personal and professional connection with the place. He credits the landscapes, culture, and people of Madhya Pradesh for enriching his own experience as an actor and individual.Reflecting on his early life in an Outlook Traveller interview, Tripathi shared how travel was once limited to bullock cart rides within his home district of Gopalganj, Bihar. With little exposure beyond the village, these journeys, often for local festivals, seemed ordinary then. But in hindsight, they became foundational. He believes that the understanding of society, people, rivers, and traditions he gained through those simple travels deeply shaped his worldview and ultimately, his craft.Over the years, as he explored India's many cultures, cuisines, languages, and landscapes, Tripathi evolved—not just as an actor but as a person. He sees travel as an essential tool in broadening one's mind and breaking out of narrow perspectives.The actor was recently seen in Criminal Justice Season 4. The legal drama series is directed by Rohan Sippy. It stars Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Khushboo Atre and Asha Negi in prominent roles. Pankaj Tripathi is gearing up for his return to the big screen with Metro… In Dino, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit Life… In A Metro, directed by Anurag Basu. The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Saswata Chatterjee, and Tripathi himself. Metro… In Dino is slated for a theatrical release on July 4, 2025.
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