'IT TOOK ME 19 YEARS TO BECOME THE ACTOR THAT I AM TODAY'

'Without ever losing hope, I survived in Mumbai with the hope of becoming a good actor.'

Trust Pankaj Tripathi to take up any character and do complete justice to it with his signature panache.

The actor brings out his spirited side in Director Amit Rai’s OMG 2.

“People have started attacking our film without even watching it. I would say watch the film first and then react,” Pankaj Tripathi tells

Did you ever think you would step into Paresh Rawal’s shoes for the sequel of OMG?

I never thought OMG 2 would be made or that I would get a role in it.

I don’t plan anything, I only believe in doing hard work.

Pareshji is a very fine actor, and he is senior to me. He is the chairman of the National School of Drama where I studied acting.

He has an affectionate nature towards me and has also mentioned that in many of his interviews. He is an inspiration to me and will remain so.

What was your reaction when the film was offered to you?

I heard the entire story during the second narration. I really liked it, but during that time, it was difficult for me to allot 50-60 days for the shoot, as I was extremely busy.

But the story really touched my emotions, and I really wanted to be a part of the film.

I asked the makers to give me four days to work out my schedule and I did.

The format is pretty much the same as OMG. It is a courtroom drama, but the characters, landscape and conflict are different.

Did you face any challenges while playing this character?

The biggest challenge was to memorise big lines.

There were five to six-page-long monologues.

I used to write and mug up my lines before going to bed and read it again after waking up.