Mumbai, July 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actor Pankaj Tripathi has revealed that portraying former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the biographical film Main Atal Hoon was one of the most demanding roles of his career, admitting that he initially struggled with the expectation of replicating Vajpayee’s distinctive mannerisms.
Speaking during an appearance on the chat show Shekhar Tonite, hosted by Shekhar Suman, Tripathi said he extensively prepared for the role by reading books on Vajpayee and watching his speeches. However, he found it difficult to imitate the late leader’s style because mimicry was never his strength as an actor.
Recalling the early days of filming, Tripathi said one of the scenes shot on the very first day was later featured in the film’s trailer, leaving him anxious about whether he had successfully captured Vajpayee’s mannerisms.
The actor said he later realised that portraying a personality like Vajpayee required going beyond physical resemblance. According to him, the true essence of the former Prime Minister lay in his ideas, wisdom, personality and life journey rather than merely his appearance or speaking style.
Tripathi observed that audiences often expect actors in biographical films to closely resemble the real-life personalities they portray. While acknowledging those expectations, he said his focus shifted towards understanding Vajpayee’s thoughts and inner world instead of attempting a perfect imitation.
He added that although the public had witnessed Vajpayee’s speeches and public life, imagining his private reflections and thought process presented a far greater creative challenge. That, he said, ultimately shaped his approach to the role in Main Atal Hoon.
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