Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi has opened up about his initial reluctance to return for Criminal Justice 4 and the deeply personal challenge of portraying former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the biographical film Main Atal Hoon. Speaking as a guest on the talk show Shekhar Tonite, Tripathi offered a candid look into his creative process and the standards he holds himself to before committing to any project.

Why He Almost Said No to Criminal Justice 4

Tripathi revealed that he has become increasingly selective about reprising roles in long-running franchises. He noted that he has been part of only two shows that have reached a fourth season — Mirzapur and Criminal Justice — and made it clear that a compelling script is non-negotiable for his continued involvement.

'When the script for Criminal Justice 4 came to me, I told them upfront — the script has to truly impress me. Only then will I agree to be part of another season,' he said. The team returned with a script that, by his own assessment, surpassed all previous seasons. He added that the fourth season has since become the most-watched instalment in terms of viewership.

How Tripathi Approaches Acting

On the question of whether he is perpetually in a thinking mode about his craft, Tripathi drew a distinction between preparation and performance. He said he thinks deeply about acting as a discipline, but once he steps into a character, the thinking recedes. In his view, thorough preparation is what allows an actor to inhabit a role with ease, without overthinking in the moment.

The Challenge of Portraying Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Tripathi described the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Main Atal Hoon as one of the most challenging of his career — not because of the political stature of the subject, but because of his own admitted weakness at mimicry. He read extensively from Vajpayee's writings and studied archival footage of his speeches.

'I was constantly wondering how much of Atal ji I would be able to imitate,' he admitted. The breakthrough came when he reframed the challenge entirely. 'A person is defined less by their outward mannerisms and more by their thoughts, their wisdom, and the values they embody,' he said.

A Shift in Perspective

Tripathi explained that once he understood the story was not about recreating Vajpayee's physical appearance or vocal style, his entire approach changed. He said the real essence of the portrayal lay in capturing Vajpayee's journey, his ideas, and the depth of his character — not surface-level imitation. This philosophical shift, he noted, transformed what initially felt like a daunting task into a meaningful creative exercise.

With Criminal Justice 4 already registering strong viewership numbers and Main Atal Hoon having tested his range as a performer, Tripathi continues to be one of Indian television and cinema's most closely watched actors.