Pankaj Tripathi reveals that he cooked and ate khichdi for 60-days during Main Atal Hoon shoot; says, “I need ‘Saatvik’ food to keep my system right”

Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi recently shared an intriguing insight into his preparation for the role of the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Ravi Jadhav-directed film Main Atal Hoon. Tripathi revealed that he exclusively consumed khichadi for a staggering 60 days while filming, and what’s more, he personally prepared it each time.

In a recent conversation with Film Companion, Pankaj Tripathi shed light on his unique dietary choice. He asserted, “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 elaborated on why he opted to cook khichdi himself instead of relying on others or ordering it from a restaurant. He said, “You never know how others will make it. I put no oil or masalas in it. I just use simple dal, chawal, and local vegetables, which are available.”

Tripathi reflected on his younger days when he could act even after indulging in a samosa. However, with time, his dietary choices have evolved. He admitted, “When I was young, I could act even after eating a samosa. But now I don’t even remember when I ate a samosa last. Now I need ‘Saatvik’ food to keep my system right.”

The acclaimed actor underscored the importance of a proper diet for actors, not only for maintaining good health but also for capturing the emotions of their characters accurately. Tripathi stated, “As an actor, if your stomach doesn’t stay well, and you eat something unhealthy and think that you will be able to emote, then you are mistaken. This is why during the day of the shoot I only eat khichdi.”

Speaking of his upcoming film, Main Atal Hoon, it is a biographical film dedicated to the late political luminary and former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

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