I live in the present: Pankaj Tripathi

"After sometime there will another Pankaj Tripathi", says the award winning actor, admitting he is aware that every actor in the film industry today is replaceable.

Tripathi has made a significant mark in the past few years after a long struggle before the glory.

He shot to fame with Anurag Kashyap's 2012 gangster drama "Gangs of Wasseypur" but before that he slogged for years and kept working hard, till the industry took notice of his talent.

Reflecting on his early days, Tripathi, a student of NSD, told PTI, "I was not worried much back then. Now, when I am successful I am not arrogant, I am not flying high. I know that I am popular now and there is stardom but it is not at all permanent.

"I know after sometime there will another Pankaj Tripathi. My success might fade away as they will find a new name. I was not worried then, I am not worried now."
"I had never imagined that after coming to Mumbai that as an actor my dates would be booked in six-eight months in advance. I had never imagined all this to happen."
"I am happy people have given me so much love in the films that I have done, where I was not in the lead."
"All this is because of my hard work. Today, I understand that hard work always pays off, good artiste are always worshipped. Earlier, supporting actors were not getting that much recognition and respect but that is not the case today."
"I also have 'Panga' with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. She is a friend and we have decided that I will always act in her films. I don't know what role I have in this film but I have to keep aside a week to ten days."