Pankaj Tripathi on Sherdil: In a film, a character is bigger than the actor

Pankaj Tripathi came to Kolkata to promote his film, Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga on Monday. Directed by Srijit Mukherji, the film also features Neeraj Kabi and Sayani Gupta and is set to hit the theatre on June 24. The film is based on the character Gangaram, played by Pankaj Tripathi, the head of a village. The story delved into the man-animal conflict and corruption at government offices. 

Speaking to the media said, “We are extremely happy to visit Kolkata, truly the City of Joy, to promote Sherdil: The Philbit Saga. It's always very special to be in Kolkata. As the director Srijit Mukherji too hails from this city, visiting the city was a must. Hope the audience here will like my character Gangaram who treads into the forest to get himself killed by a tiger so that his family and fellow villagers can reap the benefit from the compensation offered by the Government.”

Talking about the film, Pankaj said that in a film, the character is bigger than the actor and it is not the other way around. “In Sherdil, Gangaram, the character, is more important than the actor, Pankaj Tripathi. I cannot decide to sacrifice myself for the greater good as Gangaram does,” he said.   

Talking about selecting Pankaj Tripathi as the lead, Srijit said, “For the film, I wanted an actor, who is rooted, so that he can blend well with the character. That’s why I could not even think of anyone else but Pankaj as Gangaram. When you watch the film you will know how natural he is.”

In fact, the director said that Pankaj has contributed to the final script and character development. “Pankaj has contributed to the script as well. We have talked and improved the script that I originally penned.

He has also helped in character development. This can only happen if an actor is completely immersed in the character,” Srijit said.

Meanwhile, talking about his shooting experience in a forest, Pankaj said, “Jungle mein rehna hi mazedar tha. We used to enter the jungle at 5 am. Throughout the day, we used to follow the sunlight. That’s how we used to plan. Srijitda found an old tea estate there. I will go to the forest once again. In fact, Srijitda and I love the jungle. Last time when we were talking over the phone, both of us were roaming through forests.”