Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 12: Actor Pankaj Tripathi believes Indian cinema needs to move beyond conventional portrayals of masculinity centred on aggression, dominance and physical strength, arguing that there should be more diverse representations of what it means to be an alpha male.

In an interview with India Today, Tripathi said masculinity could have several interpretations and audiences should be exposed to different perspectives before forming their own understanding.

Speaking about his upcoming film Parivaarik Manoranjan, in which he plays Ranjan Dubey, the actor was asked whether cinema needed to rethink its portrayal of strong men, particularly at a time when aggressive male characters are increasingly visible in films such as Animal and Toxic.

"Absolutely. There is a need to redefine it because there cannot be just one way of defining an alpha male or masculinity," he said.

Tripathi added that different representations would allow audiences to decide which version of masculinity they identify with and how they wish to understand it.

The actor also pointed to the influence of patriarchal conditioning in shaping society's perception of men. He said generations of social conditioning had created a particular image of masculinity, which was passed on through even the smallest everyday interactions.

Tripathi hopes his character in Parivaarik Manoranjan will offer audiences a different perspective. He said Ranjan Dubey was a good example of his own sensibilities for those who wished to understand his outlook through his on-screen roles.

Explaining why he chose the film, Tripathi said he did not select projects based on genres but looked for scripts that felt authentic. He said the film's simple, slice-of-life narrative appealed to him, and he agreed to be part of it soon after reading the script.

"We have become accustomed to too much masala, both in entertainment and in life. This is comfort cinema. It is a simple story about two people from completely different worlds coming together in one courtyard. There are no unnecessary twists or turns. It is a sweet, simple story," he said.

The actor believes Hindi cinema needs more uncomplicated narratives, adding that ordinary stories can also be extraordinary in their own way.

Discussing the challenges of playing Ranjan Dubey, Tripathi said he had to preserve the character's innocence and humanity while portraying his interactions with a woman who unexpectedly enters his home.

He said the film explores how two people of different genders can share a living space without their relationship necessarily being romantic or defined by conventional labels. Society, he observed, often assumes that a man and a woman living together must have a specific relationship, whereas they can simply coexist.

Tripathi also praised his co-star Aditi Rao Hydari, describing her as a sincere and hardworking performer. He recalled shooting in Lucknow during peak summer and said the extreme heat was not visible in the finished film.

Having frequently worked in Lucknow and Varanasi, the actor said both cities had become familiar to him. Coming from Bihar, which borders Uttar Pradesh, he particularly enjoys the region's food, conversations and people.

Asked whether his popular character Kaleen Bhaiya from Mirzapur could overshadow his quieter performances, Tripathi expressed confidence that audiences would see a different side of him in the upcoming film.

"Just let audiences watch the film on the 13th. They may not even remember Kaleen Bhaiya. People will wonder whether this is the same actor who plays Kaleen Bhaiya," he said.

Tripathi also maintained that he does not give much importance to the hit-or-flop debate, pointing out that box-office performance does not always reflect a film's artistic value.

"Sometimes bad films make a lot of money, while some really wonderful films don't work at the box office. My job is to act honestly and do my work," he said.

Parivaarik Manoranjan, directed by Varun V Sharma, is scheduled to premiere on SonyLIV on November 13. The film also stars Aditi Rao Hydari, Sunita Rajwar, Brijendra Kala and Mukesh Tiwari.