New Delhi: Pankaj Tripathi, known for his impeccable acting prowess and incredible versatility, is gearing up to grace the silver screen with his upcoming film, 'Main Atal Hoon,' where he steps into the shoes of the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In an exclusive interview with the ABP Uncut team, the actor opened up about his experiences, challenges, and the nuances of bringing a political icon to life.
Tripathi began by expressing his excitement about portraying Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a figure of immense significance in Indian political history. The actor acknowledged the responsibility that comes with portraying a beloved leader and shared how he delved into the depths of Vajpayee's life to capture the essence of the man behind the politics.
Reflecting on the broader scope of the film, Tripathi emphasised the importance of storytelling that goes beyond mere entertainment. He sees 'Main Atal Hoon' not just as a cinematic venture but as a tribute to a leader who left an indelible mark on the nation. The actor expresses his belief that cinema has the power to immortalise stories and believes that this film will provide audiences with a unique insight into the life of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The actor, who has worked in different languages during his illustrious career, shares a special connection with his mother-tongue, Bhojpuri, and wishes to explore Bhojpuri cinema in future. Talking about the same, the 'Mirzapur' actor said in Bhojpuri, "I have worked in several languages but since my mother tongue is Bhojpuri, I have the desire to revive Bhojpuri cinema. I hope to fulfill my desire to make films in Bhojpuri soon, once I have the time, script selection, and necessary resources, including finances. Making films is a challenging and expensive task, and my film will not be like others which are made within a span of 10 days. I want to raise the standards of Bhojpuri cinema, surpassing even Hindi cinema in terms of technicalities."
Talking about his association with Bihar's Gopalganj district and the artistic significance of the place, he continued, "I come from Gopalganj, and many artists and actors have emerged from there. It's interesting how the Bhojpuri language has spread, and now, even in Hindi film industry, it's known. The journey of making cinema in Gopalganj, and being surrounded by singers and actors, has shaped me well. Although I started in Hindi cinema, I still have a deep connection with Bhojpuri. In the coming days, I plan to make films that are meaningful, rooted in the soil, and reflect the cultural values."
Pankaj Tripathi shed further light on his upcoming film 'Main Atal Hoon' and said, "The film is not just about Atal Ji as the public knows him from public forums and stages, delivering speeches and poems. It explores Atal Ji's journey from childhood to becoming Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It will showcase his life events and achievements, inspiring patriotism and a unique connection to our homeland. The story will provide inspiration, showing how a common child's journey in life can span from one place to another."
Pankaj Tripathi starrer biopic 'Main Atal Hoon' releases in theatres on January 19.