New Delhi: He first stepped into a cinema hall only when he was in Class 10 and was instantly hooked.
Acting seemed to be the perfect career for the young Pankaj Tripathi who loved books and found his calling in cinema.
Tripathi, best known for his performances in 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Agneepath', 'Masaan' and 'Nil Battey Sannata', soon travelled out of his home in Gopalganj, Bihar, all the way to Delhi's National School of Drama and finally, Mumbai.
"Growing up, there was no exposure to cinema. I did not step into a cinema hall until I was in perhaps Class 10. But when you don't have a bridge to cross the river, you learn to swim because you want to go to the other side.
"My father taught Hindi so there were always books at my home and I loved reading Gorky, Chekhov, European literature and Hindustani writers. They helped me explore the world through their stories," the 40-year-old told PTI in an interview.
Tripathi has quickly made his place in Bollywood as a formidable performer, infusing life into the dullest of roles.
The industry seems to have woken up to his talent. Up next for the actor is an impressive line-up of some eight-nine movies, combining both commercial and indie cinema. These include Rajinikanth's 'Kaala', festival favourites 'Newton' and 'Gurgaon', Dharma Productions' 'Drive' and Ashwini Iyer Tiwari's 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'.
He remembers his beginnings in theatre fondly. NSD, he says, was a formative experience. "Theatre first teaches you to become a human and then an actor."
Now that he has established a connect with his audience, Tripathi says he has become more responsible when it comes to choosing his roles.
"It is a very interesting phase for me. Surprisingly, all the eight-nine films that I am doing, they are completely different from one another. I always wanted something like this to happen to me. And it is now happening without much effort from my side."
In 'Munna Michael', Tripathi plays Nawazuddin Siddiqui's brother. 'Newton' will see him in the role of a CRPF officer opposite Rajkummar Rao. Then there are films like 'Julie 2', 'Mango Dreams', 'Life Biryani' and 'Gurgaon', which is currently doing the rounds of the international festival circuit.
"'Gurgaon' is very close to my heart. It is directed by Shanker Raman. I play a person from the age of 30 to 50. He was a farmer and then became a builder and made the city of Gurgaon. The film is about what happens in his life."
The industry is star-driven and Tripathi agrees that the presence of a saleable face can smoothen a film's journey. But he believes there is enough space for performers like him.
"We are a hero-worship society. Not only do we need stars in cinema but also in politics and sports. It is true that if you have a star in the film, then it is easy to market the film.
"There are many good actors but they don't have the audience that would turn up on Friday to watch the movie for them. But there is a change. If I talk about myself, I have been never this busy. If I am getting work that perhaps means the industry needs actors."
Now that he has established a successful career, has direction crossed his mind?
Tripathi says he is particularly moved by the story of those who travelled from eastern UP and Bihar to different British colonies as labourers more than 100 years ago.
"I am reading and watching documentaries about 'girmitiyas'. I heard Bhojpuri singer Raj Mohan's 'Dui Mutthi Majuri". He sings about the people who were taken to these countries as labourers. This story of migration troubles me a lot. If I ever direct, I would want to make a film on this. As I also feel like a migrant in the city of Mumbai.
