“Finishing, Like in Furniture, Is What Makes an Actor Shine” Pankaj Tripathi

Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi has been announced as the new brand ambassador of Euro 7000, a leading wood adhesive brand. He made the announcement at a special press conference, where he opened up about his surprising journey through carpentry during his early acting days at the National School of Drama (NSD).

Speaking at the event, Tripathi shared a deeply personal anecdote:“At the National School of Drama, where I learned acting, every new student has to take a six-month carpentry class. I remember being quite confused back then—why are they teaching carpentry to an actor? I couldn’t understand how to make a joint or build a staircase. Our teacher was Mr. Sharma.But now I understand the importance of it. For an actor, carpentry teaches precision. I practiced it for six months, with daily two-hour practical classes. We first drew diagrams—first a 3D design on paper, and then we brought it to life by cutting and shaping wood.

That sense of finishing, the kind of angles and smoothness one achieves in furniture, is the same finesse an actor brings to a performance. Just like a piece of furniture without polish is incomplete, an actor’s performance without grace is equally unfinished.”

He also reflected on how this early training influenced his understanding of theatre set design, often a responsibility shouldered by theatre actors themselves.

Later, when asked about the recent Pahalgam attack, the actor’s tone turned somber: “It’s a profound loss. Not just for me—but for every Indian. The authorities will decide what action needs to be taken. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Even the word ‘condemnation’ feels too small for an attack like this.”

On the workfront, the actor will be next seen in Anurag Basu's 'Metro in Dino'.