Quotes from Pankaj Tripathi

The best phase for an actor is when he or she gets to choose what they want to play. Sometimes you do a film because the unit is good, the company is fantastic, and the intention is well placed.

I am in awe of Rajinikanth. He is a great star, yet so easy-going and grounded.

When a man is extremely lonely, he starts discovering himself.

I won't lose my mind now that I have fame, nor will I lose myself once it goes away.

We have freedom to experiment as an artiste - unlike lead heroes.

If something sounds good, and I get a good feeling about it, I'll take it, irrespective of the fee being offered to me.

I prefer comedy, as I have to act while playing a gangster. I have to put in a lot of effort to turn into a gangster, as I am not like that in real life. In comedy, one doesn't have to take up such stress.

I admire many actors, including Amitabh Bacchhan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Irfan Khan, and many more.

I love the vibe that I get on the sets of south films.

My father wanted me to become a doctor.

The place where I hail from - a village in Gopalganj in North Bihar - people only know two professions: an engineer or a doctor.

I did not become an actor to earn money - that I could have done it in my village by becoming a farmer. I wanted to show my craft, which I am so passionate about.

Acting happened to me by chance. Even I'm surprised how a man from a small village, Belsand, in Gopalganj district has reached Bollywood.

I come from a very common family background in a small village, and getting an opportunity from home state to represent the state for an important and sensitive work is an honour for me and my family.

It was Sultan Qureshi, the character of 'Gangs of Wasseypur,' which brought success as a baddie, but it were the TC and teacher's roles in 'Masaan' and 'Nil Battey Sannata' that broke the villain's mould and helped me successfully explore the other shades - be it comedy, intense, or serious - surprising the audience all the time.

The audience in the country has evolved, and for them, it is about real characters.