Panchayat’s ‘Vidhayak ji’ Pankaj Jha recently made comments in an interview that seemed to critique fellow actor Pankaj Tripathi. He suggested that some actors glorify their struggles.
Jha also disclosed a previous disagreement with casting director Mukesh Chhabra, which reportedly cost him a role in Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur, implying he was initially considered for the role eventually played by Tripathi.
Here’s What Pankaj Jha Said
Speaking to Lallantop Cinema, Jha expressed his disdain for glamorising struggles in the industry, emphasising the importance of enjoying one’s chosen path. He referred to instances where actors shared exaggerated tales of their hardships, citing examples like selling potatoes or living in humble dwellings, suggesting that every experience should be viewed as a learning opportunity.
He said “I don’t like the word – struggle. If you’ve chosen to follow your passion, you should enjoy it, shouldn’t you? And as we’ve seen often in the industry, people like to glamourise their struggles. Some people say they sold potatoes, others say they lived in a tiny house, some say they stole another actor’s slippers. I feel every situation is a learning experience.”
During the News18 Rising India 2023 summit, actor Manoj Bajpayee recounted an incident involving Tripathi, where the latter ‘stole’ one of Bajpayee’s slippers as a memento during a hotel stay. This anecdote, previously shared on The Kapil Sharma Show, highlighted Tripathi’s playful nature.
Pankaj Jha Shocks As He Reveals He Was Replaced By Tripathi In Gangs On Wasseypur
Reflecting on his own experiences, Jha lamented the challenges of navigating directorial egos in the film industry. He stressed the pressure to appease directors with one’s performance. He recounted an incident where a disagreement with a director allegedly led to him losing a role in Gangs of Wasseypur.
The role in question, that of Sultan Khan, was ultimately portrayed by Pankaj Tripathi, whose performance garnered widespread acclaim and significantly contributed to his ascent in Bollywood. Tripathi’s versatility and talent have since solidified his position as a sought-after actor in the industry.
(Also read: Exclusive: From Manoj Bajpayee to Pankaj Tripathi, Here’s the list of Top 5 breakthrough performers of OTT!)
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