If there's one actor whose versatility knows no bounds, it has to be Pankaj Tripathi. His performances speak of conviction, getting into the molecular cells of the character, and effortless acting. He has proven that to be a Bollywood star, one needs to know how to act and not just have a ripped body.

Not everyone is aware of his Bollywood debut. It was in 2004 that he first appeared on the big screen in the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Run. He even made a special appearance in Saif Ali Khan's Omkara. However, it was with Gangs of Wasseypur that Pankaj Tripathi rose to fame.

Take The Quiz Now: Guess The Popular Movies Of The Mirzapur Actor From These Snippets

Not only have Tripathi's dialogue delivery and expressions made moviegoers his fans, but also his neck movements and eyes speak everything the script doesn't. As the actor celebrates his 46th birthday today, let's take you through some of his contrast performances that prove his versatility.

1. Criminal Justice

What happens when a middle-class cab driver's life turns upside down when he is falsely accused of murder? Pankaj Tripathi's character, Madhav Mishra, is a lawyer who defends Aditya Sharma (Vikrant Massey) and proves he is not guilty.

But as simple as this sounds, the web series keeps getting more complex. Tripathi's performance in Criminal Justice was intense and binge-worthy.

2. Kaagaz

When great minds come together, the movie is sure to be an underrated masterpiece. Satish Kaushik's directorial was a mixed bag of comedy, drama, intense emotions, and everything in between.

Kaagaz is about how a farmer from a small village, who has been legally declared dead by the government, struggles to prove his existence. This intense drama with a tinge of humor is a must-watch if you haven't.

3. Bareilly Ki Barfi

Speaking of contrast roles, after delivering some heavy performances in Massan and Gurgaon, the Kriti Sanon starrer Bareiliy Ki Barfi proved Pankaj Tripathi's versatility in pulling off a rather comic role.

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His comic timing is incredible, as was his performance in Bareilly Ki Barfi. A progressive father who supports his daughter in all of her choices, Tripathi stole the show with his effortless acting.

4. Mimi

It was back-to-back serious drama time for the actor. Mirzapur, The Tashkent Files, and more such films featured his heavy-duty, intense acting. It was the 2021 release that gave us a breath of fresh air with his character, Bhanu Pratap Pandey.

Pankaj Tripathi played a fake taxi driver who convinces Kriti Sanon to be a surrogate for an American couple. What happens next will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions. Tripathi even won the National Award for his performance in Mimi.

5. Stree

Throw as many complex performances and contrast roles as you can, and Pankaj Tripathi will deliver them like a cakewalk. Stree saw his comical timing like no other. Be it those witty punchlines or rib-tickling one-liners, Stree got the best out of him.

Radio City wishes Pankaj Tripathi a very happy birthday.