It’s Kaleen Bhaiya Day, and I consider myself one of the luckiest people to witness his magic. If you’re a true-blue Mirzapur fan, you’ll get the reference. However, we all know Pankaj Tripathi by the diverse roles he has played. So, fitting his brilliance under one category wouldn’t be fair. On Pankaj Tripathi’s (read: legend) birthday, I couldn’t help but reflect on his journey in the industry so far. Some artists do wizardry through their craft in a way that their success journey becomes personal to their audience as well. And Pankaj Tripathi is one of the leading members of this lot. 

His work extends beyond fame as it changes something within people. At least, I feel that within myself. In this era of commercialised cinema, actors like Pankaj Tripathi revived meaningful Hindi cinema. And he does it so effortlessly. From Mirzapur, Criminal Justice, and Fukrey to Main Atal Hoon and Stree, among other exemplary works, he adds value to each role he does. Even if it’s a minor role, like in Masaan, he does justice to the screen time he gets. 

On Pankaj Tripathi’s birthday, which also happens to be Teacher’s Day, I want to take a moment to appreciate his craft and nature, which has influenced me a lot. Here are nine lessons that I learnt from Tripathi ji that I wish I learnt earlier:

1. Contentment is the key

Kaamyaab hai ye important nai, santusht hai, ye important hai. You can achieve everything you’ve dreamt of in life but still be discontent at the end of the day. And here lies the problem because you are always restless, only focused on the next best alternative. Being satisfied with your accomplishments will bring you peace of mind. It’s never too late to be grateful for everything in life.

2. Learn to say no

This might feel like a cakewalk, but ask someone for whom saying no is equivalent to moving a mountain. I, for one, struggle with it. Even if my heart is screaming no, I end up doing the opposite every single time. But I have learnt the hard way that refusing to do something doesn’t have to be rude. As Pankaj Tripathi says, you can respectfully refuse to do something without upsetting anyone. Moreover, your selflessness shouldn’t come at the cost of your mental peace.

3. It’s all part of the plan

Bhagwaan ke bharose mat rahiye par bhagwaan par bharosa rakhiye. According to Pankaj Tripathi, “time will take care of things,” and you just need to do your bit diligently. You can’t fret about everything in your life, as nothing is in your control. As cliché as it sounds, the universe already has a plan for you. We must experience life as it comes to us in whatever way.

In an interview, Pankaj Tripathi opened up about an incident from back when he wasn’t an actor. He attended one of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speeches with utmost sincerity. He was surprised when, years later, he got to play Atal Ji‘s role in the movie Main Atal Hoon. So, just trust Kaleen Bhaiya (read: your fate) when he says, “Hum karte hain prabandh, aap chinta mat kariye”.

Related: OMG 2 Review: Pankaj Tripathi Lights Up The Screen Despite The Lazy Writing

4. Sleep is everything

Yes, you heard that right! Next time you hear Narayana Murthy preaching a 70-hour work week, take a deep breath instead of punching the wall. And prioritise at least eight hours of sleep every night, as Pankaj Tripathi suggests. As a fellow sleep lover and corporate hustler, trust me, it is more important than any urgent deadlines you may have.

5. Crying is good for health

Kaleen Bhaiya might be bereft of emotions, but Pankaj Tripathi can cry at any minor inconvenience. He represents all of us who get emotional hearing someone else’s sad story, watching a puppy video, or sometimes without any reason. But he doesn’t think of it as a weakness, and neither should we. It’s a release of pent-up emotions. If anyone asks me about my superpower, I proudly say that I’m a crybaby! My tear glands only take milliseconds to burst out.

6. Little things go a long way

In a recent interview, Pankaj Tripathi said something I desperately wanted to hear for a long time. He talked about prioritising the little things in life. In life, everything doesn’t have to be glamorous. He shares how he voluntarily chose the role of Sadhya Ji in the movie Masaan as he liked the depth of it. You see him for just a few minutes on the screen, and it has now created a lifetime impact. As he says, “Through minimum, create maximum“.

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7. Comparison kills passion

You are what you do, and the same goes for the people around you. We can feel inspired by each other’s actions, but the moment we start comparing ourselves, it will only go downhill. Pankaj Tripathi shares how acting was never on the cards until it came to that. But even now, he never feels like he is in a race. He practices his craft diligently, and the positive outcomes are just a blessing. Our friend can have a new car while we struggle to make ends meet, or our coworker can get a promotion while we’re still hustling. Just listen to Tripathi Ji‘s favourite song, Yunhi Kat Jaayega Safar Saath Chalne Se; good will find its way to us.

Related: Kaagaz Review: Watch This Film Solely For Pankaj Tripathi’s Unmatched Talent

8. Khud ko jaano

The world is hellbent on judging everyone. In a world filled with judgemental aunties and uncles, find someone (read: yourself) who accepts you just as you are. Take a moment to sit with yourself and know about your likes and dislikes. “Do I really prefer cola over juice and clubbing over a chill Sunday at home, or I was doing that to please someone around me?“ This goes beyond these surface things. Learn about yourself first, and you’ll be amazed at what you find.

9. My journey is my journey, none of your journey

That’s exactly what you should say if anyone tries to make fun of your life struggles. Pankaj Tripathi doesn’t like to preach his life journey because he feels someone would cut a 10-second reel for one million views. Everyone goes through life at their own pace, making it personal to the person undergoing it. Nowadays, someone’s pain or happiness is just seen as another form of entertaining content. People’s intentions matter. So, you should be careful while expressing your heart to anyone.

Happy birthday, Pankaj Tripathi!

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