"No ‘Thug Life’ for Pankaj Tripathi—Actor Says It’s Just Internet Fiction"

  

The internet has a habit of creating its own versions of reality, especially when it comes to celebrity news. One recent example? Rumors that acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi is part of Kamal Haasan’s upcoming film Thug Life. As it turns out, the reports were baseless.

Tripathi recently addressed the rumors during an interaction with India Today, saying plainly, “Yeh jhooti khabar hai, yeh satya nahi hai.” He called it “a brainchild of the internet,” making it clear that he has no involvement with the Mani Ratnam-directed film.

While fans may have imagined a fascinating crossover between Tripathi’s grounded acting style and Kamal Haasan’s cinematic universe, it’s simply not happening—at least not yet.

Why South Films Aren’t Off the Table Completely

Interestingly, Tripathi did not dismiss the idea of working in South Indian films altogether. His only condition? The character must be Hindi-speaking.

He explained, “Line samajhni chahiye. Main jo bol raha hoon, woh samajhna zaroori hai.” Tripathi shared an anecdote about trying his hand at a Telugu film and feeling a sense of discomfort when reciting lines he didn’t fully understand. “Even saying ‘ABCD’ felt unnatural,” he added.

This statement showcases Pankaj’s integrity as an actor who values emotional depth and delivery over mere screen presence.

Meanwhile, Thug Life Battles Backlash

As Pankaj distanced himself from the film, Thug Life found itself in hot water for entirely different reasons. A statement made by Kamal Haasan—claiming that Kannada language originated from Tamil—sparked outrage in Karnataka. The Karnataka High Court criticized Haasan for refusing to issue an apology.

As a result, the film’s producers informed the court that the movie will not release in Karnataka on June 5, its scheduled release date. The matter has been postponed for a hearing on June 10, keeping the fate of its Karnataka release uncertain.

Starring Trisha Krishnan, Silambarasan TR, and Kamal Haasan, Thug Life is helmed by the legendary Mani Ratnam, and despite the controversies, remains one of the most anticipated films of the year.

What Fans Can Actually Expect from Tripathi

While the Thug Life rumors are false, Pankaj Tripathi is very much in the game. He will soon appear in Metro… In Dino, directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Bhushan Kumar. This contemporary romance-drama features a multi-starrer cast including Neena Gupta, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal, and Sara Ali Khan.

The film explores modern-day love in all its complexities and is scheduled for release on July 4, 2025. If you’re a fan of ensemble storytelling and Tripathi’s trademark sincerity, this film is one to watch.