Pankaj Tripathi Criticizes Superficial Publicity Stunts, Emphasizes Authenticity in Bollywood
The “Mirzapur” actor advocates for genuine work over PR tactics and discusses his thoughts on humility and paparazzi culture.
In a recent discussion on the growing trend of Bollywood celebrities leveraging sponsored public relations on social media, actor Pankaj Tripathi voiced his concerns about the superficiality of such tactics. Tripathi, known for his profound roles, emphasized that while publicity stunts might keep him in the public eye, they fail to create a lasting impression.
“Image banane ke chakkar mein padoge na toh jeevan bhar chakkar mein hi rehna padega. Nothing will come out of it,” Tripathi remarked, highlighting the futility of chasing a crafted image. He stressed that it is essential for viewers to remember his performances and the characters he portrays, rather than the publicity surrounding him. “Main PR karke charchit ho sakta hoon, yaadgaar nahi ho sakta (I can become popular by doing PR but not memorable),” he said, adding that true recognition comes from his work and his behavior in life.
Tripathi further commented on the importance of genuine work being the focal point of discussions about him. He noted the recent trend of celebrities pretending to be humble and admitted, “I’m exploring myself to discover whether I’m genuinely humble or pretending to be.”
Reflecting on the pervasive paparazzi culture, Tripathi expressed his disinterest in being constantly photographed, whether at airports or during gym outings. “Mujhe ye paparazzi culture pasand nahi hain, par jo karte hai main unke khilaaf bhi nahi hun,” he stated, clarifying that while he does not favor this culture, he respects those who do. He acknowledged that paparazzi are now an integral part of film promotions and pop culture, often being invited to events as part of the publicity strategy.
Ultimately, Pankaj Tripathi’s perspective champions authenticity and meaningful work over fleeting fame achieved through PR stunts, setting a thoughtful tone in the ongoing conversation about celebrity culture in Bollywood.
