‘Never tried to be popular but memorable’: Sacred Games, Mirzapur actor on what Bollywood stardom means to him

Pankaj Tripathi has certainly made his mark in Bollywood. From playing minor film and television roles to bagging breakthrough projects like Gangs of Wasseypur, Mirzapur, Stree and Bareilly Ki Barfi, the 49-year-old has won the hearts of the audiences with his interesting dialect, lop-sided smile, genuine expressions and remarkable acting chops. But for Pankaj Tripathi, the demarcator of success is quite different. No, we are not making the claims. The Metro In Dino actor has candidly shared his thoughts on Bollywood fame recently.

Pankaj Tripathi on Bollywood stardom

Pankaj Tripathi, in an interview with the Hindustan Times, spoke about what being a star truly means. Sharing his perspective on stardom, the actor said that while the film industry often associates fame with brand endorsements and market value, his personal definition is rooted in the love and trust he receives from audiences.


Pankaj Tripathi pointed out that brands usually approach stars rather than just talented actors, admitting that commercial success is one way the industry measures stardom. However, for him, genuine connection and affection from viewers is far more important than superficial popularity, as it makes him believe that he has done something impactful.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Avinash Gowariker (@avigowariker)

When asked whether he considers himself a star, Pankaj Tripathi responded with his trademark wit. The actor joked that his bank account probably makes him feel that way, even if he personally does not echo a similar sentiment. Elaborating further, he noted that popularity alone can never be enough, as even notoriety can make a person famous. According to him, what truly matters is being memorable and leaving behind a legacy that stays with people forever.

More about Pankaj Tripathi and his upcoming projects

Pankaj Tripathi made his Bollywood debut with an uncredited role in the romantic action film Run in 2004. Later, he appeared in small roles in films like Omkara. His breakthrough came with Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama Gangs of Wasseypur, where his performance earned widespread attention. The actor won a National Film Award, Special Mention for his performance in Newton. He was also honoured with the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mimi, starring Kriti Sanon in the lead.

Up next, Pankaj Tripathy is gearing up for the release of Mirzapur The Film. The movie, directed by Gurmmeet Singh, also stars Ali Fasal, Rasika Duggal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar, Ravi Kishan, Abhishek Banerjee, Shweta Tripathi, Mohit Malik, Sheeba Chadha, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Sonal Chauhan in important roles. Mirzapur The Film, produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, is scheduled to release in theatres on September 4.