The debate about censorship of content on OTT might be growing, but actor Pankaj Tripathi shares that he is oblivious to the discourse. Though his filmography includes web projects like Kaagaz, Mimi (both 2021), Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach (2022), he says doesn’t “consume content” and can’t comment on it.

“You won’t believe if I tell you that I don’t watch any films. I have watched 50 films in my entire life; 80% are (late actor) Irrfan’s films. When I had the time, I used to watch independent movies, but ab toh theatre gaye hue bhi chaar saal ho gaye honge. I don’t remember the last commercial film I watched,” says the OMG 2 actor.

Ask if his own work intrigues him, and the 47-year-old says it’s not about who is starring in the project, but just the fact that he doesn’t like to binge-watch anything. “Apne project ke bhi chhe mahine ke baad kuch scenes nikaal kar dekh leta hoon, that too when I have to revisit my performance and see how my character behaved while preparing for the next season of a show. I watch a certain scene [from my films] if anyone has appreciated me a lot just to see ki aisa kya hai ki itna appreciation mil raha hai, or to understand my flaws,” he explains.

The Fukrey 3 actor doesn’t binge watch as “can’t sit in one place for too long”. “On my days off, I like to go for a walk, cook or garden,” he adds.

Tripathi believes that his habit of not watching other people’s work has helped him as an artiste. He says, “I haven’t watched a lot of content and I think that’s the reason my acting feels original. It’s not influenced or inspired by anyone. Koi [meri performance dekh kar] ye nahin keh sakta hai ki main iss actor ki tarah [act] kar raha hoon.”