'From peeling onions to stardom', Pankaj Tripathi recalls his early struggles

Actor Pankaj Tripathi, known for his performances in Mirzapur, Stree and Gangs of Wasseypur, has opened up about his early struggles, revealing that he spent two years working at a hotel peeling onions and potatoes before finding his calling in acting.

Appearing on Netflix's The Great Indian Kapil Show, hosted by Kapil Sharma, Tripathi reflected on his journey from an uncertain career path to becoming one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable performers.

The actor appeared on the show alongside comedian Zakir Khan and educator Vikas Divyakirti, with the conversation touching upon their student years, professional choices and the experiences that shaped their careers.

During an interaction with the audience, a young man spoke about being confused over his career choices. Sharma then asked Tripathi whether he had experienced similar uncertainty before entering the entertainment industry.

Responding, Tripathi revealed that acting had not initially been his career ambition and that he had once considered entering student politics.

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬

Tripathi recalled that he had wanted to become a student leader during his college days but abandoned the ambition after an unpleasant encounter with the police.

He said the experience made him reconsider the challenges associated with pursuing a political career.

The actor also spoke about his time working at a hotel, where his responsibilities included peeling vegetables for the kitchen.

He recalled spending two years doing the work while believing that his future lay somewhere beyond the hotel industry.

Tripathi said he eventually discovered acting and decided to pursue it professionally, suggesting that career choices sometimes become clearer through experience rather than detailed planning.

His remarks offered a glimpse into the years before he established himself in films and web series.

𝐎𝐓𝐓 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

During the episode, former cricketer and television personality Navjot Singh Sidhu asked Tripathi whether the emergence of streaming platforms had played an important role in his success.

The actor acknowledged that OTT platforms had created opportunities for performers who did not come from established film industry families.

Tripathi said he and several other successful performers belonged to ordinary backgrounds but had benefited from the wider opportunities offered by digital entertainment.

He described streaming platforms as a more accessible space where actors could establish themselves through talent and hard work.

The actor also expressed confidence that emerging entertainment formats would continue to create opportunities for young people seeking careers in the industry.

His comments reflected the growing influence of streaming platforms in expanding the range of stories, performers and characters reaching Indian audiences.

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧

Tripathi also revealed that he had received offers to enter politics after becoming a successful actor but had declined them.

He explained that public service involved considerable responsibility and was not a profession he wanted to pursue merely because of his popularity.

The actor said he was satisfied with his acting career and did not see a compelling reason to abandon it for politics.

Tripathi had expressed similar views during an interaction at Express eAdda in 2020, when he acknowledged that politics offered opportunities to bring about meaningful changes in people's lives.

However, he had also pointed out that he had worked hard to establish himself as an actor and that switching professions after achieving recognition would be a significant decision.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬

Tripathi gained wider recognition through Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur in 2012, in which he portrayed Sultan Qureshi.

The performance opened doors to several prominent projects, including Fukrey, Masaan, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Newton.

He received a National Film Award Special Mention for his performance in Newton, further establishing his reputation as a versatile performer.

His popularity expanded considerably with the release of Mirzapur in 2018, where his portrayal of Kaleen Bhaiya became one of the most widely recognised characters in Indian streaming entertainment.

He subsequently earned appreciation for his performance as lawyer Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice, alongside appearances in several successful films.

Tripathi is now preparing for the release of Parvarik ManuRanjan, directed by Varun V Sharma and featuring Aditi Rao Hydari in a leading role.

The project, which also stars Mukesh Tiwari, Vijayant Kohli, Karan Chanana and Bijendra Kala, is scheduled to premiere on SonyLIV on November 13.

His latest television appearance highlighted the unconventional journey that took him from hotel kitchens and student political ambitions to a successful career in Indian cinema and digital entertainment.