Move beyond stereotypical alpha male: Pankaj Tripathi on toxic masculinity in cinema

Actor Pankaj Tripathi believes Indian cinema needs to broaden its understanding of masculinity, moving beyond the conventional portrayal of men as aggressive, dominant and physically intimidating. In an interview with India Today, the actor said there was a need to redefine what it means to be an alpha male, adding that masculinity can have several interpretations.Speaking about his upcoming film Parivarik ManuRanjan, Tripathi reflected on how the film presents a different kind of male protagonist through his character, Ranjan Dubey. Asked whether cinema needs to rethink its portrayal of strong men, particularly at a time when aggressive and dominant male characters are increasingly visible on screen like in films like Animal and Toxic, the actor said, "Absolutely. There is a need to redefine it because there cannot be just one way of defining an alpha male or masculinity."He added that audiences should be exposed to different representations of masculinity before forming their own understanding of it."There are several meanings and interpretations beyond that. When different perspectives reach the audience, they can decide which version of an alpha male they want to choose, or how they want to develop their own understanding of masculinity," he said. Tripathi also pointed to the influence of patriarchal conditioning in shaping society's perception of men. "We have lived in a patriarchal society, and our conditioning over the years has been such that a particular image of a man has been created. That image gets transferred through even the smallest things," he said.The actor said he hoped his character in Parivaarik Manoranjan would offer audiences another perspective. While actors sometimes portray characters whose beliefs may not necessarily align with their personal opinions, Tripathi said that if audiences wanted to understand his own sensibilities through his roles, Ranjan Dubey would be a good example. Why Pankaj Tripathi said yes to Parivarik ManuRanjanExplaining what drew him to the film, Tripathi said he was looking for a story that felt authentic rather than one that relied on the conventions of a particular genre."I don't choose films based on genres. I don't think that I have to do a romantic comedy now, followed by an action film and then a comedy. I need the right script," he said.The actor revealed that he was drawn to the film's simple, slice-of-life storytelling and agreed to be part of it soon after reading the script."We have become accustomed to too much masala, both in entertainment and in life. This is comfort cinema. It is a simple story about two people from completely different worlds coming together in one courtyard. There are no unnecessary twists or turns. It is a sweet, simple story," he said.Tripathi added that he felt Hindi cinema needed more such uncomplicated narratives, arguing that ordinary stories could be extraordinary in their own way.Pankaj Tripathi on playing a character who defies stereotypesOne of the challenges of playing Ranjan Dubey, the actor explained, was preserving the character's innocence and humanity in his interactions with a woman who unexpectedly enters his home.He said the film explores the possibility of two people of different genders sharing a space without their relationship necessarily being romantic or defined by conventional labels. Aditi Rao Hydari and Pankaj Tripathi in a still from Parivarik ManuRanjan. "Our habit is to assume that if two people of opposite genders are living together, there must be some relationship between them. We start imagining whether they are siblings or lovers. But two people of different genders can also simply coexist without any such relationship. The challenge was to ensure that his innocence and humanity remained intact," he said.Tripathi also praised his co-star Aditi Rao Hydari, describing her as a sincere and hardworking performer. He recalled shooting the film in Lucknow during the peak of summer, adding that despite the extreme temperatures, the heat is not evident on screen.The actor, who has frequently shot in Lucknow and Varanasi, said the two cities had become familiar destinations for him. Being from Bihar, a state neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, he particularly enjoys the food, conversations and people in the region.With Parivaarik Manoranjan, Tripathi hopes audiences will encounter a different side of his acting. Asked whether the popularity of his iconic character Kaleen Bhaiya from Mirzapur could overshadow his quieter performances, he responded confidently: "Just let audiences watch the film on the 13th. They may not even remember Kaleen Bhaiya. People will wonder whether this is the same actor who plays Kaleen Bhaiya."For Tripathi, however, the distinction between commercial success and artistic merit remains important. He said he does not pay much attention to the hit-or-flop conversation, arguing that box-office numbers are more relevant to the business of cinema than to its artistic value."Sometimes bad films make a lot of money, while some really wonderful films don't work at the box office. My job is to act honestly and do my work," he said.Parivarik ManuRanjan is set to premiere on SonyLiv on November 13. Directed by Varun V Sharma, the film also features Aditi Rao Hydari, Sunita Rajwar, Brijendra Kala and Mukesh Tiwari.- Ends