The Indian actor and producer Pankaj Tripathi was born on 5 September 1976 (46 years old) in Belsand, Bihar, India.
He works mainly in Hindi cinema and has also appeared in a few films in other languages.
He started with small parts, including an early role in Chigurida Kanasu (2003), and his first Hindi film appearance was an uncredited role in Run (2004).
Tripathi later became widely recognised after films like Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and has acted in many projects across film and television.
He has received major honours, including two National Film Awards, along with awards like Filmfare and IIFA.
Quick Facts Of Pankaj Tripathi
| Full Name | Pankaj Tripathi |
| Profession | Actor, producer |
| Age | 46 years old |
| Date of Birth | 5 September 1976 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Birthplace | Belsand, Bihar, India |
| Current Address | Roop Katha, Madh Island, Mumbai |
| Gender | Male |
Pankaj Tripathi Early Life and Education
Pankaj Tripathi was born and raised in Belsand village (Barauli), Gopalganj district, Bihar. He is the youngest of four children.
His father worked as a farmer and a Hindu priest. Tripathi also helped his father with farming until he was in Class 11. During festive seasons in his village, he took part in local plays (natak).
Originally named Pankaj Tiwari, he legally changed his last name to Tripathi when he was in the 9th grade. He made this change because he observed that people in his village with the surname “Tiwari” were primarily limited to farming and performing religious rituals, whereas those with the surname “Tripathi” were considered more educated and intelligent.
Education
He completed his early education at DPH School in Gopalganj. After high school, he moved to Patna and studied at the Institute of Hotel Management, Hajipur.
Later, he went to Delhi and joined the National School of Drama (NSD). He graduated in 2004.
| School | DPH School in Gopalganj |
| Alma Mater | National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi |
| Highest Qualification | Graduated |
Pankaj Tripathi Personal Life
Pankaj Tripathi met Mridula at a wedding ceremony in 1993 when they were both in college. They got married on 15 January 2004. The couple later moved to Mumbai after marriage.
He is known for his humility, often attributing his acting success to his wife’s unwavering support and her role as the family’s sole breadwinner during his initial struggling years. He frequently advocates for an ordinary, middle-class way of living, finding immense joy and comfort in simple, everyday habits.
Children
Pankaj Tripathi and his wife, Mridula Tripathi, have one child, a daughter named Aashi Tripathi. Born in 2006, Aashi is pursuing her college education in Mumbai and recently made her showbiz debut starring in the music video “Rang Daaro”
Family
Father
His father’s name was Pandit Banaras Tiwari. He worked as a farmer and priest.
He passed away in August 2023 at the age of 99.
Mother
His mother’s name was Hemwanti Devi. She passed away at the age of 89 on 31 October 2025 in Belsand, Bihar.
Siblings
Pankaj Tripathi is the youngest of four siblings. He has two elder brothers and one elder sister. His sister, Sarita Tiwari (also referred to as Sabita), made headlines in 2024 when she and her husband, Rajesh Tiwari, were involved in a tragic car accident in Jharkhand. And other siblings’ details are yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Mridula Tripathi |
| Children | Daughter: Aashi Tripathi |
| Parents | Father: Pandit Banaras Tiwari Mother: Hemwanti Devi |
| Siblings | Brother: Vijendranath Tiwari, Rajesh Tiwari Sister: Sarita Tiwari |
Pankaj Tripathi Career
Pankaj Tripathi began his screen career in 2003 and slowly built his place in Indian cinema through small roles, supporting parts, lead roles, web series, and hosting work.
He works mainly in Hindi films, but he has also appeared in Kannada, Tamil, English, Punjabi, and Telugu-language projects. Over time, he became known for films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Newton, Stree, Mimi, OMG 2, and series such as Mirzapur, Sacred Games, and Criminal Justice.
First screen roles and early struggle, 2003 to 2004
Pankaj Tripathi began his screen career in 2003 with a small role in the Kannada film Chigurida Kanasu. After completing his acting training at the National School of Drama, Delhi, he moved to Mumbai in 2004 to work as an actor.
In 2004, he appeared in the Hindi film Run in an uncredited role. The film starred Abhishek Bachchan and Bhumika Chawla. This was one of his earliest Hindi film appearances. At this stage, he was still trying to get steady work in films and television.
Small roles in films and television, 2005 to 2011
From 2005 to 2011, Pankaj Tripathi appeared in many films in small and supporting roles. In 2005, he acted in Apaharan, which starred Ajay Devgn, Bipasha Basu, and Nana Patekar.
In 2006, he appeared in Omkara, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, with Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Bipasha Basu.
In 2008, he appeared in Shaurya. In 2010, he acted in Raavan and Aakrosh. In 2011, he appeared in Chillar Party. These roles were not very large, but they helped him continue working in the industry.
Tripathi also worked on television during this phase. He appeared in the crime series Powder in 2010. He also acted in the television show Zindagi Ka Har Rang…Gulaal from 2010 to 2011.
Breakthrough with Gangs of Wasseypur, 2012
The year 2012 became a turning point in Pankaj Tripathi’s career. He appeared in Agneepath, which starred Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, Rishi Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra. In the same year, he played Sultan Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur, directed by Anurag Kashyap.
In Gangs of Wasseypur, he worked with Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Vineet Kumar Singh, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Piyush Mishra. His role as Sultan Qureshi brought him wide attention and helped him move from small roles to stronger character parts.
Rise as a strong supporting actor, 2013 to 2016
After Gangs of Wasseypur, Pankaj Tripathi started getting better roles. In 2013, he appeared in ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, Rangrezz, Fukrey, and Maazii. In Fukrey, he played Pandit Ji and worked with Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Ali Fazal, Manjot Singh, and Richa Chadha.
In 2014, he appeared in Gunday and Singham Returns. In 2015, he acted in Masaan, with Vicky Kaushal, Richa Chadha, Shweta Tripathi, and Sanjay Mishra. He also appeared in Manjhi: The Mountain Man and Dilwale in the same year.
In 2016, he worked in Nil Battey Sannata, with Swara Bhasker, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Riya Shukla. These films helped him become known for natural and simple acting.
Lead role, comedy roles, and award attention, 2017
In 2017, Pankaj Tripathi reached a new level in his career. He played a lead role in Gurgaon, where he carried a darker and more serious part. In the same year, he acted in Bareilly Ki Barfi with Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, and Rajkummar Rao.
He also returned as Pandit Ji in Fukrey Returns, with Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Ali Fazal, Manjot Singh, and Richa Chadha. His comic role in the film again became popular with viewers.
The same year, he appeared in Newton with Rajkummar Rao, Anjali Patil, and Sanjay Mishra. His performance in the film earned him a National Film Award, Special Mention. This made 2017 one of the most important years of his career.
Film success and OTT breakthrough, 2018
In 2018, Pankaj Tripathi appeared in Stree as Rudra. The film starred Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee. His role added humour to the horror-comedy film and became one of his familiar screen characters.
The same year, he made his Tamil film debut with Kaala, starring Rajinikanth and Nana Patekar.
In 2018, he also entered a major OTT phase with Mirzapur. He played Akhandanand “Kaleen Bhaiya” Tripathi in the Amazon Prime Video crime series.
His co-stars included Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Vikrant Massey, Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Harshita Gaur, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. The role became one of his most popular performances.
Web series growth and more film roles, 2019
In 2019, Pankaj Tripathi appeared in Luka Chuppi with Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon. He also acted in The Tashkent Files with Mithun Chakraborty, Naseeruddin Shah, Shweta Basu Prasad, and Pallavi Joshi. In Super 30, he worked with Hrithik Roshan and Mrunal Thakur.
The same year, he appeared in Sacred Games Season 2 as Khanna Guruji. His co-stars in the series included Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey, and Neeraj Kabi.
He also began playing lawyer Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice. This role later continued across more seasons and became one of his most loved OTT characters.
International project, films, and OTT work, 2020
In 2020, Pankaj Tripathi appeared in the English-language action film Extraction. The film starred Chris Hemsworth, Randeep Hooda, and David Harbour. This gave him credit in an international film.
The same year, he worked in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl with Janhvi Kapoor and Angad Bedi.
He also appeared in Ludo, directed by Anurag Basu, with Abhishek Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Rohit Saraf.
In 2020, he returned as Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors. He also continued his role as Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur Season 2.
Lead roles and award-winning work, 2021
In 2021, Pankaj Tripathi played the lead role in Kaagaz. He also appeared in Mimi, with Kriti Sanon and Sai Tamhankar. His performance in Mimi later earned him major award recognition, including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.
The same year, he appeared in 83, a sports drama based on India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup win. The film starred Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev and also featured Deepika Padukone, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Jiiva, Saqib Saleem, and Harrdy Sandhu.
Continued films and Criminal Justice, 2022
In 2022, Pankaj Tripathi appeared in Bachchhan Paandey and Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga. In Bachchhan Paandey, he worked with Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Arshad Warsi.
The same year, he returned as Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach. The series featured actors such as Shweta Basu Prasad, Swastika Mukherjee, Purab Kohli, and Gaurav Gera.
Commercial films and popular franchises, 2023
In 2023, Pankaj Tripathi appeared in OMG 2 with Akshay Kumar and Yami Gautam. He played Kanti Sharan Mudgal in the film. The film became one of his major releases of that year.
He also returned as Pandit Ji in Fukrey 3, working again with Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Richa Chadha. In the same year, he appeared in Kadak Singh and Azamgarh.
Biopic role, Stree 2, Mirzapur, and hosting debut, 2024
In 2024, Pankaj Tripathi played former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Main Atal Hoon. This was one of his major biographical roles.
He also appeared in Murder Mubarak, where he worked with Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, Karisma Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Sanjay Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, and Suhail Nayyar.
The same year, he returned as Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur Season 3. He also came back as Rudra in Stree 2, with Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee.
In 2024, Tripathi also became a host for BIG FM’s Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho Season 3. Reports described this as his first time hosting a radio show. A verified co-host name for this show is not available.
Recent work and production credit, 2025
In 2025, Pankaj Tripathi continued his work in films and streaming projects. He appeared in Metro… In Dino, directed by Anurag Basu. The film featured Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
He also returned as Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice: A Family Matter. Reports and listings connect this season with actors such as Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Asha Negi, and others.
In 2025, he was also linked as a producer with the series Perfect Family, which featured Gulshan Devaiah, Girija Oak Godbole, Neha Dhupia, Manoj Pahwa, and Seema Pahwa.
Latest and upcoming projects, 2026 and beyond
In 2026, Pankaj Tripathi’s major upcoming project is Mirzapur: The Movie. He is set to return as Kaleen Bhaiya. The film is listed as being in post-production and is scheduled for release in 2026.
The release date is 4 September 2026. The cast includes Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Jitendra Kumar, Ravi Kishan, Abhishek Banerjee, Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Harshita Gaur, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sheeba Chaddha, Rajesh Tailang, and others.
He is also attached to an Untitled Priyadarshan/Pankaj Tripathi/Annu Kapoor/Saurabh Shukla Project. The project is listed in pre-production. Reports state that the film is directed by Priyadarshan and includes Pankaj Tripathi, Annu Kapoor, and Saurabh Shukla.
Another upcoming project linked to him is the Untitled Pankaj Tripathi/Amit Rai Project, which is listed as filming.
He is also listed in Shaktimaan, where he is linked with the role of Tamraj Kilvish. The project is in pre-production.
Other projects linked to him include Rama Janma Bhoomi, listed with production status unknown, and Parivarik Manurajan, listed as filming.
He is also part of Gulkanda Tales, a TV series listed as filming. The project has been linked to him since 2022.
Tripathi is also attached to Adaab Dawood Ibrahim Bol Raha Hoon, where he is listed to play Rakesh Maria. Its production status is listed as production unknown.
Another pending project is Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, which is listed as post-production.
Pankaj Tripathi Awards and Achievement
Pankaj Tripathi has received several awards and nominations for his work in Hindi films and web series. His awards list includes National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards, Screen Awards, and Indian Television Academy Awards. He has been honoured for films and series such as Newton, Stree, Ludo, Mimi, Mirzapur, and Criminal Justice.
His major wins
- National Film Awards (2018): Received Special Mention for Newton.
- Screen Awards (2019): Won Best Supporting Actor for Stree.
- iReel Awards (2019): Won Best Actor in a Drama Series for Mirzapur.
- Indian Television Academy Awards (2021): Won OTT awards linked with Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors, Mimi, and Ludo.
- IIFA Awards (2022): Won Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Male for Ludo.
- Filmfare Awards (2022): Won Best Supporting Actor for Mimi.
- National Film Awards (2023): Won Best Supporting Actor for Mimi. This was one of the biggest honours of his career.
His key nominations
- Zee Cine Awards (2013): Nominated for Best Performance in a Villainous Role for Gangs of Wasseypur.
- IIFA Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Newton.
- Filmfare Awards (2018): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Newton.
- IIFA Awards (2019): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Stree.
- Filmfare Awards (2019): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Stree.
- Filmfare Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl and Ludo.
- Filmfare OTT Awards (2021): Nominated for Mirzapur 2, Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors, and Kaagaz.
- IIFA Awards (2022): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for 83.
- Filmfare Awards (2022): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for 83.
- Filmfare Awards (2024): Nominated for Best Actor, Critics for OMG 2.
- Filmfare Awards (2025): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Stree 2.
- IIFA Digital Awards (2025): Nominated for Best Performance in a Leading Role, Male for Murder Mubarak.
Pankaj Tripathi Controversies
Pankaj Tripathi has mostly kept a clean public image. There are no widely verified reports of a major personal controversy, criminal case, or serious public scandal linked directly to him.
Azamgarh film dispute (2023): Pankaj Tripathi was involved in a dispute with filmmaker Kamlesh Mishra over the film Azamgarh. Reports said both sides sent legal notices to each other. The issue was linked to the film’s release and promotion.
Views on OTT creativity and legal pressure: In a 2025 interview, Tripathi said that OTT platforms have become more careful because of legal teams and fear of controversy. He said this has affected improvisation and creative freedom for actors.
Comment on India’s Got Latent controversy: In 2025, Tripathi commented on the controversy involving Samay Raina and Ranveer Allahbadia. He said public figures should speak with care and responsibility because people are influenced by their words. He was not directly involved in the controversy.
Pankaj Tripathi Net Worth, Salary
Pankaj Tripathi’s net worth is approximately ₹40 to ₹45 crore(approximately $5 million to $6 million), and he charges approximately ₹3–5 crore per movie.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $5 million to $6 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹3–5 crore per movie |
Pankaj Tripathi Height, Weight & Physical Stats
The following are the physical appearances of Pankaj Tripathi.
| Height | In centimetres: 171 cm In meters: 1.71 m In feet & inches: 5′ 7½″ inches |
| Weight | In kg: 70 kg In lbs: 154 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 42-34-15 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
Interesting Facts About Pankaj Tripathi
- His original surname was Tiwari, but he later changed it to Tripathi while he was in school.
- He helped his father with farming until he was in Class 11.
- During village festivals, he acted in local plays and sometimes played female characters on stage.
- He moved to Patna after school and studied at the Institute of Hotel Management, Hajipur.
- Before becoming a full-time actor, he also worked in a hotel kitchen in Patna.
- He moved to Mumbai in 2004 to start his acting career.
- His breakthrough came with Gangs of Wasseypur in 2012, where he played Sultan Qureshi.
- He became widely popular for playing Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur.
- He won a National Film Award, Special Mention for Newton and later won Best Supporting Actor at the National Film Awards for Mimi.
- He is known for keeping a simple lifestyle and often speaks about his village background and early life experiences.
- In 2024, he hosted BIG FM’s Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho Season 3, which marked his radio hosting debut.
- He has worked in films, web series, television, radio, and international cinema.
Pankaj Tripathi Instagram, X, Facebook
 @pankajtripathi | |
| X |  @TripathiiPankaj |
 @impankajtripathi |
FAQs
Who is Pankaj Tripathi?
Pankaj Tripathi is an Indian actor and producer who works mainly in Hindi films and web series.
How old is Pankaj Tripathi?
Pankaj Tripathi is 49 years old. He was born on 5 September 1976 in Belsand, Gopalganj, Bihar, India.
Where is Pankaj Tripathi from?
Pankaj Tripathi is from Belsand village in Gopalganj district, Bihar, India.
What is the nationality of Pankaj Tripathi?
Pankaj Tripathi’s nationality is Indian.
Who is Pankaj Tripathi’s wife?
Pankaj Tripathi is married to Mridula Tripathi.
Does Pankaj Tripathi have children?
Pankaj Tripathi has a daughter named Aashi Tripathi.
What was Pankaj Tripathi’s breakthrough film?
Pankaj Tripathi’s breakthrough film was Gangs of Wasseypur in 2012, where he played Sultan Qureshi.
What is Pankaj Tripathi famous for?
Pankaj Tripathi is famous for roles such as Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur, Sultan Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur, Rudra in Stree, and Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice.
Where did Pankaj Tripathi study acting?
Pankaj Tripathi studied acting at the National School of Drama, Delhi.
What does Pankaj Tripathi do for a living?
Pankaj Tripathi works as an actor, producer, and host.
