Pankaj Tripathi backs Arijit Singh’s break decision: ‘We are artists, not factory products’

Pankaj Tripathi, known for his powerful performances in series like 'Mirzapur', 'Criminal Justice', and films such as 'Newton' and more, has carved a space with his grounded acting and quiet intensity. He believes in staying rooted, on and off screen. In an interview, the actor supported Arijit Singh and Zakir Khan’s decision to step away and prioritise themselves.In a recent conversation with NDTV, Pankaj Tripathi openly supported Arijit Singh and Zakir Khan for stepping away from the spotlight. He believes breaks help artists rediscover themselves. “You need a break to reinvent yourself. It's important to take frequent breaks or slow down as being an artist is a demanding job. Only then will an artist be able to do something new. We are not factory products.” He further added, “We aren't like those 1,000 copies of matchboxes that a factory produces every day. We are artists, not products... Bahut bhaag-daud hai, every actor has to struggle and sacrifice a lot to reach where they are today.” For him, excitement must lead every project.There was a time when Tripathi worked non-stop. Multiple releases in a year became normal. Eventually, fatigue set in. He admits it took effort to reset. “I used to promote the slow life and myself got into the fast life especially in the pre-Covid and post-Covid era. I realised an actor must use their weapons after a lot of care and thought.” He consciously reduced his workload. “Working non-stop for 30 days tires you out. And, I was tired.”He explained his decision with a simple metaphor. “You tend to overeat when you are hungry… I felt like I was working a lot and I didn't need to do that. I felt like I was working a lot and I didn't need to do that. Audience should also get to wait for me, what my next acting job would be. That's why I slowed down. I act to live, not live to act.” For him, acting supports life, not the other way around.Arijit Singh clarified that his decision came after long contemplation, not a sudden impulse. On X, he wrote, “There isn’t just one reason for this; there are multiple factors, and I have been contemplating this for quite some time.” He spoke about creative fatigue, admitting, “I tend to lose interest quickly,” which pushed him to constantly experiment. Singh also said, “I’ve grown weary. I need to explore different music to thrive.” He wants to hear new voices and evolve independently, while reassuring fans, “I am a fan of quality music.”The actor stays selective yet busy. He reunites with Priyadarshan for a comedy and returns as Kaleen Bhaiya in 'Mirzapur: The Movie'. He also goes back to theatre after 12 years with 'Lailaaj', sharing the stage with his daughter.