Pankaj Tripathi Boigraphy

Pankaj Tripathi, born on September 28, 1976, is a highly regarded Indian actor, primarily active in Hindi cinema, with appearances in English, Punjabi, Telugu, and Tamil language films. His talent has earned him numerous accolades, including a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award, and an IIFA Award, solidifying his position as a significant figure in the realm of Hindi cinema.

Hailing from Gopalganj, Bihar, Tripathi embarked on his journey by enrolling at the National School of Drama. Following his graduation, he made his way to Mumbai in 2004. His initial foray into the industry included an uncredited role in the film “Run” (2004) and several minor parts in movies such as “Raavan” (2010) and “Agneepath” (2012), along with appearances in television series like “Powder.”

Tripathi’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of Sultan in Anurag Kashyap’s “Gangs of Wasseypur,” propelling him to prominence. Subsequently, he took on supporting roles in films such as “Singham Returns” (2014), “Kaala” (2018), “Extraction” (2020), and “83” (2021). His performances in movies like “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) garnered widespread critical acclaim. Notably, he clinched the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Mimi” and earned accolades for his performance in “Newton,” including a National Film Award – Special Mention.

Tripathi’s presence extended to the digital domain, with leading roles in web series such as “Mirzapur,” “Criminal Justice,” “Yours Truly,” and “Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors.”

Born into a Bhojpuri-speaking Hindu Brahmin family in Barauli, Gopalganj District, Bihar, Tripathi is the youngest of four children born to Pandit Benares Tiwari and Hemwanti Tiwari. His father is a farmer and Hindu priest. He too engaged in farming alongside his father until his 11th year of schooling. During festivals, he participated in local plays in his village, often taking on female roles. After completing his schooling, he moved to Patna for further studies at the Institute of Hotel Management, Hajipur. Subsequently, he pursued his passion for acting by enrolling in the National School of Drama in Delhi, earning his degree in 2004.

Upon arriving in Mumbai in 2004, Tripathi’s early career included a politician’s role in a Tata tea advertisement and an uncredited role in the film “Run.” He also appeared in the Kannada movie “Chigurida Kanasu” in 2003. Initially typecast as an antagonist, he took on various minor roles in Hindi films like “Apaharan” (2005), “Bunty Aur Babli” (2005), “Omkara” (2006), “Shaurya” (2008), “Raavan” (2010), “Aakrosh” (2010), “Chillar Party” (2011), and “Agneepath” (2012). He ventured into television, featuring in the Bahubali TV series (2008) and shows like “Powder,” “Gulaal,” and “Sarojini – Ek Nayi Pehal.”

Tripathi’s major breakthrough arrived in 2012 with his portrayal of Sultan in the “Gangs of Wasseypur” films. Subsequently, he progressed to lead roles, with “Gurgaon” (2017) marking his debut as a lead actor. He played a vital part in “Newton,” which represented India at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2018, he made his Tamil cinema debut in “Kaala.”

Despite his growing recognition, Tripathi continued to appear in smaller roles in movies like “Dabangg 2,” “Gunday,” “Singham Returns,” and “Dilwale.” However, 2017 marked a turning point with significant roles in critically acclaimed films like “Bareilly Ki Barfi,” “Fukrey Returns,” and the highly successful “Stree.”

Tripathi’s global reach expanded with his role alongside Randeep Hooda in Netflix’s original “Extraction” (2020), featuring Chris Hemsworth. He secured dual nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2020 for his performances in “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl” and “Ludo.” In 2021, he again received double nominations, ultimately winning the award for his role in “Mimi.”

His television endeavors include leading roles in Amazon Prime’s web series “Mirzapur” (both seasons) and Netflix’s “Sacred Games.” He also starred as a lawyer in the 2019 TV series “Criminal Justice,” returning for subsequent seasons.

Tripathi’s cinematic journey continues with exciting projects on the horizon. He is set to portray Former Prime Minister Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji in the upcoming biopic “Main Atal Hoon,” slated for a 2023 release. Additionally, he’s part of “OMG 2” alongside Akshay Kumar and is expected to feature in “Fukrey 3” in 2023.

In his personal life, Tripathi’s love story began when he met his future wife Mridula during a wedding ceremony in 1993, while they were both in school. They tied the knot on January 15, 2004. The couple relocated to Mumbai after marriage and welcomed their daughter, Aashi Tripathi, in 2006.

Tripathi’s impressive body of work has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, underscoring his prowess as an actor across different platforms:

Film Awards:

2018: International Indian Film Academy Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “Newton” (Nominated)
2019: International Indian Film Academy Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “Stree” (Nominated)
2022: International Indian Film Academy Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “Ludo” (Won)
2022: International Indian Film Academy Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “83” (Nominated)

Filmfare Awards:

2018: Filmfare Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “Newton” (Nominated)
2019: Filmfare Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “Stree” (Nominated)
2021: Filmfare Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl” (Nominated)
2021: Filmfare Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “Ludo” (Nominated)
2022: Filmfare Awards – Best Supporting Actor for “83” (Nominated)
2022: Filmfare Awards – Best Supporting Actor for