Pankaj Tripathi

Pankaj Tripathi, originally named Pankaj Tiwari, is an Indian actor who works extensively in Hindi feature films and digital series. Born on 5 September in Belsand, Bihar, he is widely recognized for his versatile performances across drama, comedy, and crime genres. Over his career, he has earned two National Film Awards and a Filmfare Award, establishing himself as a prominent figure in contemporary Indian cinema.

Tripathi grew up in a farming family in the Gopalganj district of Bihar, where his father also served as a Hindu priest. He legally altered his surname from Tiwari to Tripathi while in the ninth grade. During his youth, he assisted his father in agricultural work and participated in local theatrical performances. After completing high school, he studied hotel management in Patna before moving to New Delhi to train in acting at the National School of Drama, from which he graduated in 2004. He married his wife, Mridula, in early 2004, and the couple later relocated to Mumbai, where they had a daughter in 2006.

After making a brief appearance in a 2003 Kannada film, Tripathi officially began his Hindi screen career with a commercial and an uncredited role in 2004. In his early years in Mumbai, he was frequently cast in antagonist or minor gangster roles across various films, including Omkara, Agneepath, and Raavan, while also appearing in television programs such as Powder. His major career breakthrough occurred in 2012 when he played the character Sultan in the crime drama duology Gangs of Wasseypur. This performance garnered widespread industry attention and led to featured roles in films like Fukrey, Masaan, and Nil Battey Sannata.

Tripathi took on his first leading film role in the 2017 neo-noir thriller Gurgaon. That same year, he received critical acclaim for his performance in the black comedy Newton, earning a Special Mention at the National Film Awards. His popularity expanded through significant roles in mainstream successes such as Bareilly Ki Barfi, Fukrey Returns, and the 2018 horror-comedy Stree, which earned him a Screen Award. In 2021, his performance in the social drama Mimi earned him both the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. His other notable feature films include Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Ludo, 83, OMG 2, Main Atal Hoon, and Stree 2.

Beyond feature films, Tripathi has gained significant acclaim in digital streaming media. He played the lead role of Akhandanand "Kaleen Bhaiya" Tripathi in the web series Mirzapur starting in 2018, as well as major roles in Sacred Games, Criminal Justice, and the streaming movie Kaagaz. Internationally, he appeared in the Tamil feature Kaala and the 2020 Hollywood action film Extraction.

In addition to his acting career, Tripathi has served in various official ambassadorial roles. The Election Commission of India appointed him as a National Icon in 2022, and he was named the UPI Safety Ambassador in 2023 and the brand ambassador for the Bharat Rang Mahotsav in 2024. He has endorsed prominent commercial brands, engaged in social causes like tree planting, and established a school library in his home village in memory of his father.