Pankaj Tripathi: ‘My identity as an actor is tied to where I come from’

Reuniting with director Amit Rai after OMG 2, Pankaj Tripathi says their upcoming human drama being set in his home state Bihar was an incentive to say yes

Pankaj Tripathi has always maintained that his Bihari roots have played a critical role in shaping him as an artiste. It was among the two reasons he gave his nod to his next, a human drama set in Bihar. What’s the second reason? The prospect of reuniting with writer-director Amit Rai, with whom he delivered the 2023 hit, OMG 2. The two kicked off the shoot of their yet-untitled project, which explores the animal-human conflict, in Tripathi’s home state this week. Sources tell us that Pawan Malhotra, Geeta Agarwal of Laapataa Ladies (2024) fame, and Rajesh Kumar are part of the cast, alongside some talents from the Bhojpuri film industry. 

Pawan Malhotra and Rajesh Kumar also star  in the film

The way Rai explored the theme of sex education and highlighted its need in schools through OMG 2 told Tripathi of the director’s talent. The actor then is only too happy to reunite with the writer-director. “OMG 2 was a special film for me—not only because it marked my first solo film that earned more than R180 crore at the box office, but also as it connected with people on an emotional level. Working with Amit again feels like a natural progression. His storytelling has depth, honesty, and a sense of purpose that I relate to,” shares Tripathi.

Amit Rai

That the movie, which has shades of a thriller, is set in his home state is the cherry on top. He adds, “This story is rooted in the soil of Bihar—my home. My identity as an artiste is tied to where I come from. As an actor, there is nothing more fulfilling than being part of a story that is both entertaining and socially meaningful.”

Rai has charted out a 35-day start-to-finish schedule. The filmmaker doesn’t delve into details regarding the plot, only describing his third directorial venture as “a reflection of lives lived and lessons learned”. He adds, “Collaborating with Pankaj again is like returning to a creative space where truth and performance meet seamlessly. This film is a heartfelt exploration of human relationships, resilience, and the social fabric that binds us.”

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