What is behind Pankaj Tripathi's unmatched acting? Life lessons from sleeper class travel, stays at dharamshalas, gurudwaras
Travelling is affordable in India
Face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Travelling shaped his worldview and craft
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Pankaj Tripathi's father could not buy a tractor. This changed his life and Bollywood got one of its brilliant actors
Pankaj Tripathi's work
In a world where stardom often comes wrapped in luxury and isolation, Pankaj Tripathi stands out not just for his acting prowess but for his groundedness. His secret? A lifetime of travel rooted in simplicity. From dusty village trails and sleeper class train compartments to humble nights at dharamshalas and gurudwaras , Tripathi's journey through India's heartland has shaped not just his personality but also his performances.Following his father's passing, Tripathi recently opened up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India about taking time off for physical healing and self-reflection. Alongside a fitness routine, he chose to travel within India and abroad, using the time to reconnect with himself and absorb the world around him.For Tripathi, travel has always been more than a break from routine, it's been an education. In a video shared by The Better India, he had once emphasised how travel teaches more than any classroom could, especially when done modestly. He has long advocated for young people to explore the country via local trains, staying at places like gurudwaras and dharamshalas to keep the experience raw, affordable, and authentic. According to him, such travel helps shape a person's worldview, empathy, and understanding of India's incredible diversity.This belief in travel's transformative power also finds expression in his role as the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism . In 2024, Tripathi was appointed brand ambassador for the state, a region deeply intertwined with his life and work. Having shot films like Stree, Stree 2, Lukka Chhupi, Oh My God 2, and Ludo there, he feels a personal and professional connection with the place. He credits the landscapes, culture, and people of Madhya Pradesh for enriching his own experience as an actor and individual.Reflecting on his early life in an Outlook Traveller interview, Tripathi shared how travel was once limited to bullock cart rides within his home district of Gopalganj, Bihar. With little exposure beyond the village, these journeys, often for local festivals, seemed ordinary then. But in hindsight, they became foundational. He believes that the understanding of society, people, rivers, and traditions he gained through those simple travels deeply shaped his worldview and ultimately, his craft.Over the years, as he explored India's many cultures, cuisines, languages, and landscapes, Tripathi evolved—not just as an actor but as a person. He sees travel as an essential tool in broadening one's mind and breaking out of narrow perspectives.The actor was recently seen in Criminal Justice Season 4. The legal drama series is directed by Rohan Sippy. It stars Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Khushboo Atre and Asha Negi in prominent roles. Pankaj Tripathi is gearing up for his return to the big screen with Metro… In Dino, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit Life… In A Metro, directed by Anurag Basu. The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Saswata Chatterjee, and Tripathi himself. Metro… In Dino is slated for a theatrical release on July 4, 2025.
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Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
What is behind Pankaj Tripathi's unmatched acting? Life lessons from sleeper class travel, stays at dharamshalas, gurudwaras
Travelling is affordable in India Face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Travelling shaped his worldview and craft You Might Also Like: Pankaj Tripathi's father could not buy a tractor. This changed his life and Bollywood got one of its brilliant actors Pankaj Tripathi's work In a world where stardom often comes wrapped in luxury and isolation, Pankaj Tripathi stands out not just for his acting prowess but for his groundedness. His secret? A lifetime of travel rooted in simplicity. From dusty village trails and sleeper class train compartments to humble nights at dharamshalas and gurudwaras , Tripathi's journey through India's heartland has shaped not just his personality but also his his father's passing, Tripathi recently opened up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India about taking time off for physical healing and self-reflection. Alongside a fitness routine, he chose to travel within India and abroad, using the time to reconnect with himself and absorb the world around Tripathi, travel has always been more than a break from routine, it's been an education. In a video shared by The Better India, he had once emphasised how travel teaches more than any classroom could, especially when done modestly. He has long advocated for young people to explore the country via local trains, staying at places like gurudwaras and dharamshalas to keep the experience raw, affordable, and authentic. According to him, such travel helps shape a person's worldview, empathy, and understanding of India's incredible belief in travel's transformative power also finds expression in his role as the face of Madhya Pradesh Tourism . In 2024, Tripathi was appointed brand ambassador for the state, a region deeply intertwined with his life and work. Having shot films like Stree, Stree 2, Lukka Chhupi, Oh My God 2, and Ludo there, he feels a personal and professional connection with the place. He credits the landscapes, culture, and people of Madhya Pradesh for enriching his own experience as an actor and on his early life in an Outlook Traveller interview, Tripathi shared how travel was once limited to bullock cart rides within his home district of Gopalganj, Bihar. With little exposure beyond the village, these journeys, often for local festivals, seemed ordinary then. But in hindsight, they became foundational. He believes that the understanding of society, people, rivers, and traditions he gained through those simple travels deeply shaped his worldview and ultimately, his the years, as he explored India's many cultures, cuisines, languages, and landscapes, Tripathi evolved—not just as an actor but as a person. He sees travel as an essential tool in broadening one's mind and breaking out of narrow actor was recently seen in Criminal Justice Season 4. The legal drama series is directed by Rohan Sippy. It stars Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Khushboo Atre and Asha Negi in prominent roles. Pankaj Tripathi is gearing up for his return to the big screen with Metro… In Dino, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit Life… In A Metro, directed by Anurag Basu. The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Saswata Chatterjee, and Tripathi himself. Metro… In Dino is slated for a theatrical release on July 4, 2025.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Step inside Arshad Warsi's 150-year-old sprawling Portuguese bungalow in Goa, which can be yours for ₹75000 per night
Actor Arshad Warsi just gave fans a brief tour of Casa Zen, a 150-year-old Portuguese home in Goa that he and his wife Maria Goretti have restored. Taking to Instagram, Arshad gave a glimpse of the five-bedroom house located in Saligao, North Goa. (Also Read | Arshad Warsi says Stree 2 was the last good film he saw, praises Rajkummar Rao: 'I really liked it') The house, painted in white and different shades of brown, has colourful floors. A huge swimming pool with a beautiful deck near it is also a part of the house. Massive vases with plants were also kept around the pool. As he walked around the house, furniture--almirahs, chairs, tables and couches, of different colours were seen in the video. Beautiful art pieces hung on the walls. Some indoor plants were also seen. In the video, Arshad said, "I just can't get enough of my beautiful house in Goa. Absolutely crazy about it. Every day, there is a new place to chill." A post shared by Arshad Warsi (@arshad_warsi) Arshad then gave his fans a glimpse of his garden, which has a mango tree. He also spoke about how he loves the greenery. After stepping outdoors, Arshad continued, 'Today I've decided to come and sit here. Just outside the house. Look at it, so much greenery.' The actor continued, "Lovely mangoes on my tree. It's time to sit here and relax and thank my stars and thank everybody who is responsible for giving me such a beautiful life. Thank you." Sharing the video, Arshad captioned it, "Just a thank you to everyone (hug face emojis)." A post shared by CASA ZEN GOA (@casazengoa) A post shared by CASA ZEN GOA (@casazengoa) The couple has kept the original Portuguese architecture with high ceilings, pillars, and big wooden windows. However, they have used bold colours and added many plants inside the house. The dining room has jungle-themed wallpaper, with seating painted in greens and earthy tones of blue and purple. The corridor has a bright blue and gold cabinet. Several figurines have also been kept around the house. The entrance of the hose has indigo-textured walls. One of the bedrooms has white and cream walls with bright lights on them. Arshad has also attached solar panels to the roof of his home. While the outdoor walls have been coloured in white, streaks of indigo and yellow also find their mark on them. As per Wildflower Villas, the team that manages the property, the house is available to people on rent for vacations. The entire house can be rented at ₹75,000 (plus taxes) per night. Fans will see Arshad with Akshay Kumar in Jolly LLB 3. The Subhash Kapoor directorial is set to hit the theatres on September 19, 2025. He also has Welcome To The Jungle along with Jackie Shroff, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Tusshar Kapoor, Talpade, Aftab Shivdasani, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Disha Patani, Johnny Lever and Rajpal Yadav.
India Gazette
26-04-2025
- India Gazette
'Our hearts bleed today': How terrorist attack shook fragile stability in Kashmir
Tourism in the region faces a devastating setback as the Indian government vows tough retaliation against the attackers On Tuesday morning, life was vibrant in the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, surrounded by pine-covered mountains and snow-kissed peaks where the air was crisp, clean, and chilled, Manju Tripathi, 37, a tourist from Gujarat, recalls. By afternoon, everything had changed, as a volley of bullets rang in the air after a group of terrorists who emerged from nearby forests fired indiscriminately at tourists, killing 26 people, including a local tour guide. At the time, officials estimate that 1,000-1,500 tourists were present in the high-altitude, lush meadow, which is only accessible on foot or by horseback. "We had left the Baisaran Valley and were in Pahalgam, having lunch at a restaurant, when we heard about the attack. Everyone was panicked and there was chaos all around," Tripathi told RT at the airport from where she was rushing back to her home state along with a group of her family members who had come for a week-long visit to Kashmir. Tripathi said that the family cut short their trip in fear and left for their home. "We could never have imagined that this would happen in Kashmir, which everyone assured was peaceful now," she said. "We had seen and heard about the beauty of Kashmir on social media and thought this was the mini-Switzerland." Shubam Dwivedi, 29, got married on February 12. He was in Pahalgam with his wife to enjoy the time, little suspecting that this would be his last vacation. "We could identify his body from the video on social media. Shubham's wife told us that terrorists asked his name before shooting him," Saurabh Dwivedi, his cousin, said as the family mourned the loss. The family was a group of 11 people who has arrived in Kashmir on April 18 and were supposed to depart on April 23. "While the rest of the family was a little away, Shubam and his wife were at Baisaran at that time. We feel devastated," his father, Sanjay Dwivedi, said, adding that his son and daughter-in-law were having snacks on the meadow when he was targeted. People leave after offering Friday prayers in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 25, 2025. The attack that kills 26 tourists takes place at Baisaran, dubbed 'mini Switzerland' for its meadow Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto via Getty Images Deadliest attack in recent history The attack in Pahalgam marks the deadliest assault on civilians in Kashmir in recent years. While the region has a history of violence for decades, the insurgency erupted in the early 1990s, but direct attacks on tourists have been relatively rare. In 1995, six foreign tourists were abducted in Pahalgam by the terrorist group Al-Faran. One was killed, another escaped, and the remaining four were never found. In 2000, 32 people, including 21 Hindu pilgrims, were killed at Nunwan in Pahalgam by terrorists. The latest attack's scale and targeting of civilians highlight a concerning shift in terrorist tactics. In February 2019, 40 Indian paramilitary troopers were killed in an attack on a highway that India blamed on Pakistan and triggered a war-like situation between the two countries. In June of last year, terrorists ambushed a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in the Reasi district in southern Jammu, killing nine people and injuring several others. "This is something that I have never seen in my life in Kashmir. This incident has shaken the core of us," said Sami Ullah, 30, a resident of Srinagar associated with the travel business. "This incident will devastate the livelihood of millions in Kashmir." People in Pahalgam stage a protest against the recent tourist killings at Baisaran in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 25, 2025. Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto via Getty Images Rise in tourism In August 2019, the ruling government led by the BJP stripped the region of its limited autonomy by abrogation Article-370, a seven-decade old law which gave exclusive citizenship rights to the permanent residents of the region and barred outsiders from securing jobs, land and scholarships. New Delhi reasoned that the move was aimed at bringing development and peace to the region and wiping out insurgency. Due to the improvement in the security situation, Kashmir has witnessed a significant surge in tourism in recent years. Government figures show that last year 23 million tourists visited the region. In 2018, 16 million tourists visited the region. The government's efforts to promote the region as a safe travel destination led to record tourist arrivals, which were expected to spike this year and helped to give a boost to the local economy in the hospitality, transport, and handicraft sectors. However, the deadly attack has turned the vibrant tourist spot into a ghost town now, which has been emptied, and hotels are now lying vacant as most tourists are either leaving or have already left the region. The Srinagar International Airport has been witnessing a crowd of people who are fleeing the region by cutting short their stay. "We mourn with the families of the victims who were killed. Our hearts are heavy and eyes are wet," said Abdul Rasheed, a boat rider in the main city of Srinagar, as dozens of boats lay in rows empty near the banks of the lake waiting for visitors. "Our hearts broke into pieces when we saw everyone leaving in panic. We are ashamed of what has happened, our hearts bleed today. This scar will remain etched forever and has cost the livelihoods of the poor people," he said. Boatmen hold placards during a protest to condemn a deadly attack on tourists at Dal Lake on April 24, 2025 in Srinagar, India. Waseem Andrabi/Hindustan Times via Getty Images The killings sparked a shutdown in the region, where hundreds of locals and politicians took to the streets to condemn the incident. "We condemn this. These attacks hit the local lives and bring economic disaster," said Shabir Ahmad, 25, a taxi driver in Srinagar. "Is this the paradise on earth? This is hell on earth where such things happen. This has taken away our peace and prosperity." Timing of the attack The attack happened days after Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir's speech in which he referred to Kashmir as the "jugular vein" of Pakistan, potentially signaling a hardline stance. The attack also coincided with the Indian visit of US Vice President J.D. Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia. In the past, similar attacks have also occurred during high-profile visits, such as in 2000, during then-US President Bill Clinton's trip to India, when 35 Sikh men were killed in the southern village of Chittisingpura, suggesting a pattern aimed at drawing international attention. Ayushi and other family members mourn during the last rites of Neeraj Udhwani, who is killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on April 24, 2025. Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images The international community's response to Kashmir has always been influenced by broader geopolitical interests, but there has been widespread global condemnation of the latest attack. Experts say sustained engagement in resolving the underlying issues has been limited and needs to be addressed. "The recent attack underscores the need for a more proactive international role in facilitating dialogue between India and Pakistan, to address Kashmir's political problem so that such incidents do not repeat," said Idrees Ahmad, a researcher based in Kashmir. "The region needs peace and stability so that everyone can feel safe who visit," he added. Manoj K Channnan, a former army official, says this was a calculated strike. "This wasn't just an attack on civilians - it was a calculated strike on India's credibility, timed with the visit of US Vice President JD Vance. Today, Kashmir faces a new breed of militancy. Intelligence estimates indicate the presence of around 60 foreign terrorists in the Valley. Half of them are linked to The Resistance Front (TRF) - a proxy outfit for Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating under a softer, more local-sounding label to dodge global scrutiny." He says that beyond the tactical fallout, this attack has strategic consequences for the Kashmir Valley. Demonstrators in Srinagar hold placards and candles during a protest against the killing of tourists at a famous tourist resort Pahalgam. Saqib Majeed/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images "In recent years, tourism has picked up dramatically... Kashmir felt hopeful again. Now, that confidence is cracked. Tourists will cancel bookings, airlines will scale back flights, and hotels and houseboats will see empty rooms. The economic loss to local Kashmiris will be staggering, and once again, they will face the impossible dilemma of surviving in a conflict economy," he added. Haseeb Drabu, former finance minister in the region, shares these concerns. "The revival of trade and commerce, which accounts for 40% of the local economy, has been suddenly and brutally cut short, and the livelihood of lakhs of families has been seriously impaired." He added the economic shock will persist and linger on for months, if not years, to come.
