'We Actors Are Just Puppets': Pankaj Tripathi Terms Writers, Directors As Show-runners

Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who is known for 'Singham Returns', 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Masaan' and several other projects, has said that actors are just puppets and do what writers or directors ask them.

The actor attended the trailer launch of the third season of the fan-favourite show 'Mirzapur' at a 5-star property in the Bandra area of Mumbai on Thursday along with Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Rasika Dugal, Vijay Varma, Anjumm Shharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Harshita Shekhar Gaur and Sheeba Chadha.

While the floor wasn't opened to the media for the interaction, Pankaj told the emcee, "We actors are just puppets. The writers and directors are puppeteers, they run the show and streamline the story. As actors, we do what we are told or briefed about."

The actor then made a minor correction in the statement as he looked at the media inside the Ballroom and said, "Chaliye, theek hai, upar waala humse karwa raha hai aur hum kar rahe hain..."

Mirzapur Season 3 stars Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Rasika Dugal, Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Anjumm Shharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Harshita Shekhar Gaur, Rajesh Tailang, Sheeba Chadha, Pramod Pathak, Shernavaz Jijina, Meghna Malik, Manu Rishi Chadha, Neha Sargam, Liliput Faroqui, Alka Amin, Anangsha Biswas, Shahnawaz Pradhan, Rohit Tiwari, Prashansa Sharma, Anil George in pivotal roles.

It is directed by Gurmeet Singh and Anand Iyer, and written by Apurva Dhar Badgaiyan, Avinash Singh Tomar, Avinash Singh and Vijay Narayan Verma. It is produced by Excel Media & Entertainment. The series is set to stream on Prime Video from July, 5, 2024.