Quotes from Pankaj Tripathi

I've never had any difficulty sharing the screen with any actor. For me, roles are challenging, not co-stars.

Failures don't bother me much, nor do I let success go to my head.

When you don't feel good about a film after taking it up, spending 10-15 days on the shoot sets becomes difficult.

Commercial films give you a wide exposure. For 'Dilwale,' I got calls from countries like Oman. Its reach is huge. Similarly, doing independent projects satisfy the actor in you.

Big films help your reach a wider audience, and doing independent films keeps your artistic side happy.

The very fact that people make an effort to search and know more about me is a testament that I am doing my job well.

I used to work in a hotel kitchen at night and do theatre in the morning. After finishing my night shift - I did it for two years - I used to come back and sleep for five hours and then do theatre from 2-7 P.M. and then again hotel work from 11-7 in the morning.

I just need good scripts, good films, and I am glad I am doing them.

An actor must read a lot. Books not only make one a good actor but also a better human being.

Across the world, wherever good art has been created, that society has been in crisis.

'Masaan' was a small role, but people connected with it. I loved playing a man who does not have many complexities in life. I was inspired by my father for this role. You find such characters in novel or in stories. You don't find such parts in movies where characters are either good, bad, or grey.

I don't want to be in a situation again where I am sitting on a set, wondering why I am there and why I am doing the film.

In 'Stree,' I play a character who believes that he knows everything. And I play a cop in 'Drive.' It is a different kind of a role. It is not a uniform-wearing character. The film is interesting, since it is a thriller.

Comedy is important, and I do not want to end up being recognised for just one genre.

I have fun doing lighter roles, as I don't have to do anything against my emotions.

Anurag Kashyap is someone whose projects I can take without even hearing the story.

Art makes you a better human being, and that reflects in society.

It doesn't matter if you're a star or not; what is important is that you do your job with absolute honesty.

I just don't play a character for the heck of it. Rather, I always look for a human element in every character that I play.

As a person, I am still grounded and humble.

I am a Sufi guy, so fame is maya for me, a worldly illusion.

Not everyone can handle success, but look at Rajinikanth. His films release all over India, his fans worship him and what not. But when I first met him, I felt like he is one of us.

One mistake and all this attention may just disappear one fine day. So I prefer to remain grounded.

I was offered 10 Sultan Qureshi-type roles after 'Gangs of Wasseypur.' But I did not want to repeat that, as I have little fear of being rejected by the people.