Pankaj Tripathi claims to have consumed khichdi for 60 days while playing Atal Bihari Bajpayee, claiming it was also cooked by him.
Actor Pankaj Tripathi is known for his simplicity and has often described his love for home-cooked food. Amongst his favorites is khichdi. The actor recently shared that during the shoot of Ravi Jadhav-directed film Main Atal Hoon, in which he essays the role of late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he exclusively ate khichdi to help him fully embody the emotions of his character.
During a recent interaction with Film Companion, Tripathi shared, “In Atal, I shot for around 60 days and for those 60 days, I only ate khichdi, that too the one cooked by me.” The actor explained that he chose to cook the khichdi himself because he wanted to maintain simplicity and authenticity in his portrayal of the late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He preferred not to have anyone else cook for him or order it from a restaurant since he wanted to ensure that the khichdi was prepared in a specific way. Tripathi mentioned that he didn’t use any oil or masalas, and kept it simple with dal, chawal, and locally available vegetables.
Tripathi shared that when he was young, he didn’t have to worry too much about what he ate and could still act even after consuming indulgent snacks like samosas. However, as he has grown older, he has noticed a change in his dietary preferences. He mentioned that he can’t even remember the last time he had a samosa and now prefers to follow a “Saatvik” diet to keep his system healthy and balanced.
Tripathi further explained the significance of eating right for actors, emphasizing that it not only contributes to their overall health but also impacts their ability to portray emotions effectively. He mentioned that if an actor’s stomach is not in a good state due to unhealthy food choices, it can hinder their ability to emote authentically. As a result, Tripathi shared that on the day of the shoot, he chooses to consume khichdi exclusively to ensure that his diet supports his performance.
Tripathi continued, stating that in order to accurately convey emotions, it is crucial for actors to establish a synchrony between their brain and body. To achieve this connection, he believes that actors should consume light and easily digestible food.
Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon Yeh Desh Rehna Chahiye – Atal is a biopic starring Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India’s former Prime Minister, set to release in December. Composed by Salim-Sulaiman and lyricized by Sameer, Sonu Nigam delivers the motion video announcement.
