Pankaj Tripathi reveals his photo was on a ‘Wanted’ board at a police station set: ‘When the art department needed pictures of thieves…’

Actor Pankaj Tripathi recently shared insights about his early days in the industry and revealed an unexpected incident where his photograph was spotted on a ‘wanted’ board at a police station set up. Reflecting on his initial struggles in Mumbai, he emphasised how limited opportunities and the absence of social media made auditions challenging. He recalled a time when actors had to personally visit casting agencies, leaving their photos in cartons, which were later sent to assistants for selection.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Pankaj revealed that he used to place his pictures in carton boxes to secure opportunities in his early days. He went on to narrate a humorous yet surprising experience. The National Award-winning actor shared that one of his friends was cast in a crime show, which featured a police station setup. The ‘Wanted’ board in that police station had Pankaj’s picture on it, and his friend called to inform him about it. “So, when the art department needed pictures of thieves or gangsters for the ‘Wanted’ board, they just used those pictures—so mine ended up there once,” he shared.


The 'Mirzapur' star also spoke about how spirituality played a crucial role in keeping him grounded. He added that it helps him sustain hope and aspire beyond one’s own perceived limits. Spirituality, he noted, has deeply influenced his character, teaching him honesty, forgiveness, and resilience. Despite facing rejection early in his career, he never held grudges. Now, he finds it difficult to decline the numerous scripts coming his way. The actor is still in disbelief at how much his life has changed.
On the work front, Pankaj Tripathi has an exciting lineup of projects, including 'Mirzapur: The Film', Anurag Basu’s 'Metro… In Dino', and Anubhav Sinha’s 'Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai'.
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