Mumbai, May 13 (UNI) Celebrated Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi was overcome with emotion as he began shooting for a film in his home state of Bihar, a first in his distinguished career spanning over two decades.

Returning to his roots has always held a special place in Tripathi's heart. And now, after winning hearts all over the world with his brilliant acting, Tripathi is currently working on an untitled social drama directed by Amit Rai, who previously helmed OMG 2. This marks a unique collaboration between two filmmakers who both hail from Bihar.

The film, backed by the Bihar Film Corporation, features an ensemble cast including Pawan Malhotra, Rajesh Kumar and several emerging artists from Bihar. The project will be filmed over a 35-day schedule, using authentic locations of Bihar, to preserve the cultural integrity and visceral realism story.

For Tripathi, this project is not just another entry in his extensive portfolio but a deeply meaningful journey back to his roots. He expressed his emotions by saying, "It's hard to put into words what this moment means to me. I began my journey as a performer on the dusty streets of a small village in Bihar, doing theatre and nukkad nataks, never imagining that one day I would return to these very lanes with a film crew.

"After spending over two decades in Hindi cinema, this is the first time I am shooting a film in my home state, and it feels like life has come full circle. Hindi films are rarely shot in Bihar — the last I remember was Manoj Bajpayee's Shool in 2003 — so this experience is incredibly special and long overdue," he said,

Tripathi's collaboration with Rai adds a layer of personal significance to the film. Tripathi elucidates, "There is a different kind of magic in working on a story that's rooted in your soil. I feel a deeper responsibility and an emotional connection to every scene, every location, every face I see here. Collaborating again with Amit Rai, who is also from Bihar, makes this project even more personal.

"We both understand the nuances, the language, the spirit of the land, and I believe that will reflect on screen. This film is more than just another project; it's a heartfelt tribute to the place that made me who I am," added Tripathi. UNI NST SSP