Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi has spoken out about the prevalent use of paid public relations (PR) campaigns among Bollywood celebrities, emphasizing that while PR might keep an actor in the spotlight, it will not make them memorable. Tripathi’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions regarding the role of paid PR in the industry, particularly on social media.
“If you fall into the trap of maintaining an image, then you will be stuck in that lifelong,” Tripathi stated. The 49-year-old actor believes that true recognition comes from the characters an actor portrays and their conduct in life, rather than from PR efforts. “I can become popular by doing PR but not memorable. That I can only achieve through my characters and my behavior in life,” he added.
Tripathi, known for his roles in films like “Stree” and “Newton,” stressed the importance of his work being the primary topic of conversation. “Work is important, and I want only my work to be talked about. These days, there is a trend to be humble. Even those who are not, pretend to be humble,” he remarked, highlighting the superficial nature of some industry trends.
Reflecting on his own journey, Tripathi humorously noted, “I’m exploring myself to discover whether I’m genuinely humble or pretending to be.”
Addressing the trend of celebrities being photographed by paparazzi at airports and gyms, Tripathi expressed his discomfort with constant media attention. “I don’t like the paparazzi culture, but I am not against those who do it. It is their way of life. Paparazzi are even invited to events now as part of film promotions. They are part of the pop culture now,” he said.
When questioned about potential changes he would like to see in the film industry, Tripathi concluded with a personal philosophy. “I would rather change myself instead of changing anything in this film industry. People can do whatever they like,” he stated.
Pankaj Tripathi’s candid insights offer a thought-provoking perspective on the role of PR in an actor’s career and the evolving dynamics of the Bollywood industry.