Pankaj Tripathi is one of the most respected and versatile actors in the Indian film industry. His journey from a small village in Bihar to becoming a household name in Bollywood is nothing short of inspiring. Known for his natural acting style and ability to bring depth to every character, Tripathi has carved a niche for himself in Indian cinema.
This blog explores his early life, career, achievements, and some lesser-known facts about him.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born on September 5, 1976, in Belsand, Bihar, Pankaj Tripathi grew up in a farming family. His father, Pandit Banaras Tiwari, was a farmer and a priest, while his mother, Hemwanti, was a homemaker. Despite his humble beginnings, Tripathi had a keen interest in acting from a young age. He participated in local drama performances during village festivals, which sparked his passion for storytelling.
Tripathi initially pursued hotel management in Patna but later realized his true calling was acting. He joined the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi, where he honed his skills. After graduating, he moved to Mumbai in 2004, facing years of struggle before landing significant roles.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pankaj Tripathi |
| Nickname | Pankaj Tripathi |
| Alternative Names | Pankaj Tiwari |
| Date of Birth | 5 September 1976 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 48 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Belsand, Bihar, India |
| Hometown | Gopalganj, Bihar |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Education Qualification | Graduation in Drama (NSD) |
| Hobbies and Interests | Cooking, Reading, Traveling |
| Languages Known | Hindi, English |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | IMDb |
| Website | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Average |
| Body Measurements | 42-34-15 inches |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Weight | 154 lbs (70 kg) |
| Chest | 42 inche |
| Waist | 34 inche |
| Biceps | 15 inche |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short, Neat |
| Distinctive Features | Expressive Eyes |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Pankaj Tripathi is married to Mridula Tripathi, whom he met during his college days. The couple tied the knot in 2005 and has a daughter named Aashi Tripathi. Despite his fame, Tripathi remains deeply connected to his roots and values his family above all.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Mridula Tripathi |
| Father | Pandit Banaras Tiwari |
| Mother | Hemwanti |
| Children | Aashi Tripathi |
| Siblings | 3 elder brothers, 2 elder sisters |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Mridula Tripathi |
| Significant Relationships | Mridula Tripathi |
Rise to Stardom
Tripathi made his Bollywood debut with a minor role in Run (2004). However, his breakthrough came in 2012 with Gangs of Wasseypur, where he played Sultan Qureshi. His performance was widely appreciated, opening doors to more substantial roles.
Pankaj Tripathi – Selfie
Pankaj Tripathi – Debut Film – Chigurida Kanasu
Pankaj Tripathi – Successful Film – Gangs of Wasseypur
Career, Awards, and Achievements
After Gangs of Wasseypur, Tripathi starred in several critically acclaimed films, including:
- Masaan (2015)
- Newton (2017)
- Stree (2018)
- Mimi (2021)
- OMG 2 (2023)
His portrayal of Kaleen Bhaiya in the web series Mirzapur became a cultural phenomenon, further cementing his place in the industry.
Pankaj Tripathi has received numerous accolades for his performances, including:
- National Film Award for Newton
- Filmfare Award for Mimi
- IIFA Award for Ludo
- Screen Award for Stree
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor |
| Debut Film | Chigurida Kanasu (2003) |
| Notable Roles | Kaleen Bhaiya (Mirzapur), Rudra (Stree), Sultan (Gangs of Wasseypur) |
| Recent Films | OMG 2, Fukrey 3 |
| Upcoming Films | Main Atal Hoon, Kadak Singh |
| Popular TV Series | Mirzapur, Criminal Justice |
| Awards & Achievements | National Award (Mimi, Newton), Filmfare (Mimi), IIFA (Ludo) |
| Endorsements | N/A |
| Philanthropy | Supports education initiatives |
| Professional Associations | National School of Drama (NSD) |
| Training & Education | NSD Graduate |
| Production Company | Velvet |
| Box Office Hits | Stree, Fukrey 3, OMG 2 |
| Critically Acclaimed Films | Newton, Mimi, Masaan |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $6 million |
| Per Movie Charges | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | Policybazaar |
| Business Ventures | N/A |
| Investments | Cultino Agrotech Pvt Ltd |
| Real Estate Holdings | Properties worth ₹16+ crore |
| Luxury Items/Properties | Miscellaneous assets worth ₹2.08 crore |
| Cars Collection | Mercedes Benz E200 |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Smita Patil |
| Favorite Film | Masaan |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Colour | Blue |
| Favorite Food | Litti Chokha |
| Things he likes | Nature, Cooking, Reading |
| Things he dislikes | Loud environments, Hypocrisy |
Top 5 Best Films – Pankaj Tripathi
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Gangs of Wasseypur | 2012 | Sultan Qureshi |
| Newton | 2017 | Nutan Kumar |
| Stree | 2018 | Rudra |
| Mimi | 2021 | Bhanu |
| OMG 2 | 2023 | Lord Shiva |
Controversies – Pankaj Tripathi
- His portrayal of Lord Shiva in OMG 2 sparked debates.
- Criticism over his political views in interviews.
- Disagreements with filmmakers over creative differences.
- His comments on nepotism in Bollywood stirred discussions.
- A social media backlash over a misinterpreted statement.
Interesting Facts – Pankaj Tripathi
- He worked as a cook for two years before entering Bollywood.
- He was unaware of films until the 10th grade due to lack of television.
- He initially aspired to become a doctor.
- His first acting role was as a girl in a village play.
- He is an advocate for rural education and supports various initiatives.
- He prefers simple living despite his success.
Pankaj Tripathi’s journey is a testament to perseverance and passion. From struggling in Mumbai to becoming one of Bollywood’s most sought-after actors, his story is an inspiration to aspiring artists. His ability to bring authenticity to every role makes him a true gem in Indian cinema.
