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EXCLUSIVE! Pankaj Tripathi On Akshay Kumar, OMG 2 Success And Censor Board: I Choose My Films Responsibly
Actor Pankaj Tripathi is currently basking in the success of his recently released film OMG 2. The film has been a commercial success and talking about this, in an exclusive interview with Filmbeat, the remarkable actor reveals how excited he is with the audience response. He spoke about the controversies surrounding the film and shared his work experience with Akshay Kumar.
Pankaj Tripathi has completed almost two decades in cinema, and says, "Now it is not a battle of survival in front of me, so I choose my films very responsibly. I found OMG 2 a very important film, that's why I became a part of it." This inimitable performer never fails to charm us with his humility and wit while interacting. Over the next half an hour, the OMG 2 actor gets candid about his upcoming films, his process of selecting scripts, about box office, inspiration and much more.
Excerpts from the interview.
Q. OMG 2 is in theaters now, getting such positive response. How are you feeling?
A. Feeling a bit relieved now. When the film was given an A certificate, there was a feeling of disappointment. I just wanted the movie to be UA so that children can watch and it reaches out to the people. All of us were actually a bit surprised to see the A certificate. Because we knew that there is nothing in the film that can be tagged as nudity or violence. However, the film is out now and people are praising it so much, it's a good thing. Let the audience watch the film and interact, what more do we want. Even before the release of the film, I just feel that why are you speculating beforehand. First watch the film and then share your opinion. But nowadays, in the era of internet, someone says something, then everyone starts running in the same direction. Everyone has a 5G phone in their hands, so everyone starts expressing their opinion unknowingly. OMG 2 is an important film. Yes, it is bold, people are not comfortable talking. But the content has been written and directed very sensitively by Amit Rai. And we have acted in it with the same sincerity.
Q. When a film gets in so much controversies before its release, do you get affected as an actor?
A. See, film making is very difficult, very laborious and very expensive. People don't understand this. Though I am not much affected because I am a part of the film and I know the film. I just think that people are speculating right now, once the film comes, everyone's opinion will gradually change.
Q. In today's time when it doesn't take long for someone's words to turn into a controversy, what factors do you keep in mind while selecting the script?
A. I just take care that no line, no scene is written just for sensationalism. There is a scene in OMG 2, where Upanishads were referenced. That scene is no longer in the film, the censor board got it removed. When I read the script, I asked Amit Rai that is this line written by you is written in Upanishads? He said yes. Then I told him to send me the Upanishads, he sent and I read them. After that I said okay. That line may not be in the film now, but it was true. So I pay so much attention that nothing is written for sensation and there should be no wrong reference. If the writer is giving reference of a book, then I check the source.
Q. How easy or difficult was it for you to say yes to OMG 2?
A. As soon as I read the script, I was ready. While I didn't even have dates at that time. I was not free at all for the next 5-6 months. But then I took 2-3 days and moved the dates back and forth because I felt it was a very important story. I have also passed through that age, I also come from rural background. We all go through different problems in childhood because there is no proper source to explain you about your body. No one is there to tell what is right, what is wrong. What should be your conduct? It is important to know these things. That's why I found this film very important, as it is written with a lot of research. And I also felt that when Kamasutra can be written in the country in ancient times, and so much has been written on sex in many other texts, then when did we stop talking about it. I wanted to be a part of this film and it has changed me as a person as well. My perspective has also changed.
Q. You once said that success has made you responsible. The influence is now visible even in the selection of the script.
A. Yes. See, I have worked a lot for survival also because of the responsibilities. In such a situation, many times you compromise with your choice. But now there is no battle of survival in front of me, that's why I choose my films responsibly. It is possible that I do not agree ideologically with many of my earlier works, but I am a professional actor, my job is to act and I have done the film that came to me. But now that is not the case.
Q. How was your experience with Akshay Kumar?
A. Very good. Akshay Kumar is the first to be congratulated because he decided to back a film made on such important topic. He was the one to recommend my name to Amit Rai for this film. Also, the first narration of the film was also given to me by Akshay himself. It was the time of Covid in 2021, so he narrated the entire story of the film on the Zoom call. His courage should be appreciated that he backed such a subject and took the risk of making it, otherwise no actor of his stature would have done a film on such a subject. As a co-star too, he is very supportive and fun. He used to play online Ludo with me. He is the champion of Ludo (laughs).
Q. Have you visited any theater to see the audience reaction?
A. Yes, I visited a theater here in Mumbai to watch the feedback along with the director of the film. We were so surprised so see the audiences reactions that they are paying attention to even smallest details, and it's affecting them. They were laughing, getting emotional and in some scenes they went into silence. I felt so good watching the response of the people.
Q. You have been in the industry for so many years. Do you now think about the financial aspects of the film? Do box office numbers matter to you?
A. It would not be correct to say that I do not pay attention. But it is not that I keep thinking only about the box office collection. Film is business after all. It's a very expensive medium. That's why I only see that the film should be profitable. If a film is successful, everyone associated with the film benefits. I am happy that audiences are going to theaters to watch both Gadar 2 and OMG 2. This is a very good sign. After Covid, the audience is coming to the theaters, and all the releases are minting good money.
Q. You have been in films for almost two decades. How easy or difficult is it, even today, to play the characters with the same passion and bring freshness to the screen?
A. It is a difficult task. Like in OMG 2 the tone of my character is slightly different. It is not easy to start from zero for every character. Well, acting is not an everyday job either. I myself feel that I am doing too much work. After this year, I will be a bit slow. This year 4-5 films and 2 series are going to come.
Q. With which films and web series are you busy after OMG 2?
A. Some of my upcoming movies and web series are Fukrey 3, Stree 2, Metro 2, Mirzapur 3, Kadak Singh (Anirudh Roy Chowdhury's film) and Criminal Justice 4. After that, I will take a break in between, I think.
