Pankaj Tripathi on Supporting Small Films: ‘It Wasn’t Made to Be a Blockbuster… If It Reaches People’s Hearts, That’s Its True Collection’

Veteran actor Pankaj Tripathi attended the trailer launch of Ohh My Dog (OMD) in Mumbai along with the film's cast and crew, where he spoke passionately about the importance of supporting meaningful cinema. During the media interaction, Tripathi addressed a question about actor Adil Hussain's recent remarks on A-list actors backing smaller films, responding with his trademark humility and wit while explaining why he chose to be associated with Ohh My Dog.

When asked about an actor's responsibility towards supporting socially relevant stories, especially after Adil Hussain's comments that smaller films often struggle due to a lack of backing from mainstream stars, Pankaj Tripathi first responded with a smile, saying, "Am I an A-lister? Oh, wow. Alright then—consider it supported! The media has declared me an A-lister today."

Explaining what drew him to the project, the actor added, "That is precisely why I became a part of this film. The genuine stars of this film are the two [dogs] who got into a scuffle right here as soon as they arrived, and then there is the child—the kid—and the third star is Amit Rai, who created this entire world. I genuinely connected with that; I decided I would be part of the film and support it. That’s why I’m here at the trailer launch today. It’s not my film in the sense of being the lead—in fact, even the Censor Board members expressed regret that I was given such a small role—but I supported and helped the film. I helped in the way Pawan Sir mentioned at the beginning—support is needed."

Tripathi also reflected on the film's intentions and why commercial success shouldn't be the only yardstick for measuring a movie's impact. Sharing his perspective on the economics of meaningful cinema, he said, "It wasn't made to be a blockbuster that earns 200 crores. If the film recovers its costs and interest and reaches people's hearts—that is its true collection. Yes, the intention isn't that. It wasn't made with the intent of becoming a blockbuster. You see, the films that turn out to be disasters are the ones that intended to be blockbusters."

His comments highlighted an increasingly relevant conversation in the film industry about giving space to content-driven cinema. Rather than chasing box office milestones, Tripathi emphasized that films with a genuine message and emotional resonance deserve support from both audiences and established actors. His presence at the trailer launch itself reflected that belief, with the actor making it clear that his association with Ohh My Dog was driven by conviction rather than screen time.

Directed by Amit Rai, Ohh My Dog (OMD) is a heartfelt family entertainer that brings together an ensemble cast including Maahi Rai, Geeta Aggarwal Sharma, Rajesh Kumar, Pawan Malhotra, Sulakhyana Baruah, Vijay Mishra, along with canine stars Oscar and Bruno. The film also features more than 250 dogs, making it one of the most unique animal-centric films in recent years. Scheduled to hit theatres on July 31, Ohh My Dog aims to tell a warm and socially relevant story that celebrates compassion, companionship, and humanity.

With his candid remarks, Pankaj Tripathi once again reinforced why he remains one of the industry's most respected performers. While he may have jokingly questioned whether he is an A-lister, his willingness to stand behind smaller, purpose-driven films demonstrates the kind of support that independent and content-led cinema often needs to find its audience.

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