Patna: After more than two decades of bringing complex characters to life on screen, Bollywood actor and Pankaj Tripathi has finally found himself on home turf. The celebrated actor, a native of Gopalganj in Bihar, is shooting a yet-to-be-titled film in the state for the first time—an experience that has left him deeply emotional.
Directed by Oh My God 2 filmmaker Amit Rai, who also hails from Bihar, the film brings together an ensemble cast including Pawan Malhotra, Rajesh Kumar, and several local talents. The project is being supported by the Bihar Film Corporation and is scheduled for an intensive 35-day shoot across the state.
For Tripathi, whose acting journey began in the narrow lanes of rural Bihar through street plays and theatre, the homecoming is layered with personal significance. “It is difficult to express in words what this moment means to me,” the actor said, reflecting on the full-circle moment in his career. “I never thought that one day I would return to those same streets with the film crew. After spending more than two decades in cinema, this is the first time I am shooting a film in my home state.”
Tripathi also acknowledged the rarity of Hindi films being shot in Bihar, recalling that the last notable production was Manoj Bajpayee’s Shool in 2003. “When the story is related to your soil, there is a different magic in it,” he said. “Here, a deep connection is felt with every scene, every location, every face.”
Working once again with director Amit Rai, Tripathi noted the personal resonance of collaborating with someone who shares the same cultural roots. “Both of us have a deep understanding of the language, emotions, and culture here, and it will definitely reflect on screen,” he said. “This film is not just another project, but for me it is a heartfelt tribute to the land that made me.”
While details of the storyline and title remain under wraps, the project is being hailed as a significant moment for Bihar’s cinematic landscape, which rarely sees mainstream productions filmed within the state.
