Pankaj Tripathi

Pankaj Tripathi (né Tiwari; born 5 September 1976) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi cinema and has also appeared in Telugu and Tamil language films. Tripathi has established himself as one of the notable actors of Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award, a Screen Award, and an IIFA Award.

Born in Gopalganj, Bihar, Tripathi got more attracted to art in Patna where he was doing his higher studies. He enrolled himself in the National School of Drama in 2001, from where he graduated and moved to Mumbai in 2004. Tripathi did an uncredited role in the film ''Run'' (2004) and did several minor roles in films such as '' Raavan'' (2010) and '' Agneepath'' (2012) and in some television series including '' Powder''.

Tripathi rose to fame with his role as Sultan in Anurag Kashyap's '' Gangs of Wasseypur''. Since then, he has appeared in films as a supporting actor, including '' Singham Returns'' (2014), '' Kaala'' (2018), ''Extraction'' (2020) and '' 83'' (2021). While Tripathi has received critical appraisal for multiple films, including ''Fukrey'' (2013), ''Masaan'' (2015), ''Nil Battey Sannata'' (2016), ''Bareilly Ki Barfi'' (2017), ''Newton'' (2017), '' Fukrey Returns'' (2017), '' Stree'' (2018), ''Ludo'' (2020), '' Kaagaz'' (2021) and ''Mimi'' (2021) for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. For ''Newton'', Tripathi earned several awards, including a National Film Award – Special Mention. He has starred in several web series, including ''Mirzapur'', '' Criminal Justice'', '' Yours Truly'' and '' Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors''.

Early life

Tripathi was born on 5 September 1976 in a Bhojpuri-speaking Hindu Brahmin family in Belsand village (Barauli block) in Gopalganj District in the Indian state of Bihar, to Pandit Benares Tiwari and Hemwanti Tiwari as the youngest of their four children. His father works as a farmer and Hindu priest. Tripathi also worked as a farmer with his father until he was in the 11th standard at school. During festive seasons, he used to play the role of a girl in his village's local play (''natak)''. He moved to Patna after high school where he studied in Institute of Hotel Management, Hajipur. After his seven years stay in Patna, he moved to Delhi to enroll in the National School of Drama, from where he graduated in 2004.

Career

Tripathi moved to Mumbai in 2004. His first role there was of a politician in a Tata tea ad and then an uncredited role in the film ''Run''. In his early career, he played mostly antagonist roles and became synonymous with gangster characters. He appeared in various Hindi films in minor roles, including '' Apaharan'' (2005), ''Bunty aur Babli'' (2005), '' ''Omkara'''' (2006), ''Shaurya'' (2008), '' Raavan'' (2010), '' Aakrosh'' (2010), ''Chillar Party'' (2011), and '' Agneepath'' (2012). In 2008, he also acted in the ''Bahubali'' TV series, and later in '' Powder'' on Sony TV as well as in few television serials such as ''Gulaal'' and ''Sarojini - Ek Nayi Pehal''.

In 2012, he played his first major onscreen role as Sultan in the '' Gangs of Wasseypur'' films. His first film as a lead actor was the 2017 film ''Gurgaon,'' followed by his role in '' Kaagaz'' (2021). His 2017 film ''Newton'' was India's official entry for the Academy Award in the best foreign film category. Tripathi made his debut in Tamil cinema with the film '' Kaala,'' which was released on 7 June 2018.

He also starred in leading roles in the 2018 Amazon Prime's web series ''Mirzapur'' (season 1 and 2) and the 2019 Netflix web series Sacred Games. He also appeared in the 2009 TV series Criminal Justice as a lawyer.

Personal life

Tripathi met Mridula during a wedding ceremony in 1993 when they were both in school and then got married on 15 January 2004. They moved to Mumbai after their marriage, and in 2006, had a daughter named Aashi Tripathi.

Filmography

Films

Television

Web series

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tripathi, Pankaj
1976 births
Living people
Indian male film actors
Male actors in Hindi cinema
Male actors from Bihar
Indian male television actors
Indian male stage actors
People from Gopalganj district, India
National School of Drama alumni
21st-century Indian male actors
Male actors in Telugu cinema
Male actors in Tamil cinema
Special Mention (feature film) National Film Award winners
Screen Awards winners