Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi, who is currently receiving widespread appreciation for his nuanced portrayal in the fourth season of the hit crime-legal drama Criminal Justice, has offered a thoughtful reflection on the fine balance every actor must strike between comfort and complacency.
Tripathi emphasised the importance of staying grounded and avoiding the pitfalls of overconfidence that can follow a period of artistic ease. “The sense of comfort is not a dangerous thing,” he explained, “but following up the sense of comfort with the sense of confidence can be dangerous. A lot of effort is required to look effortless, and when one appears effortless while acting, people think it is very easy to do.”
Tripathi, known for his subtle yet powerful performances, believes that true mastery lies in making complex emotions appear natural. However, he draws a clear line between being “effortless” and being “lifeless” in one’s portrayal. “There is a fine difference between being bloodless and effortless. The performance may become dull or lifeless. It should be lively—there should be a touch, some flesh and blood in it.”
The Criminal Justice star stressed that striving for simplicity in performance doesn’t mean removing the soul from it. Instead, he advocates for an approach that combines ease with emotional richness—an invisible labor that, when done right, makes acting look deceptively simple.
Earlier, Tripathi had quipped that slipping into the skin of his character, Madhav Mishra, has become so natural that it feels like his “Aadhaar is linked” to the role—a humorous nod to the ubiquitous 12-digit identity system in India. The statement reflects how deeply he’s connected with the character over the show’s multiple seasons. The fourth season of Criminal Justice, now streaming on JioCinema, continues to delve into the complexities of law, morality and justice. Directed by Rohan Sippy and produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India, the series also features Surveen Chawla and Shweta Basu Prasad in pivotal roles.
