In a candid revelation, Mridula Tripathi, wife of renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi, has shed light on a deeply personal aspect of her marriage. Married for nearly 19 years, the couple’s journey has been marked by familial challenges, particularly stemming from their love marriage, a rarity in their cultural settings at the time.
During a revealing interview on the YouTube channel “Conversations with Atul,” Mridula expressed the longstanding discord with her mother-in-law, a discord rooted in their socially unconventional marriage. Mridula reminisced about the initial days of meeting Pankaj Tripathi at her brother’s wedding—an event that would serendipitously intertwine their lives forever. Pankaj’s sister was getting married to Mridula’s brother, and amidst the celebrations, the pair formed a connection that would soon blossom into love.
However, the reality of social hierarchies soon cast a shadow over their budding relationship. In a society where marriages tended to adhere strictly to certain social norms, Mridula’s higher social status presented an unprecedented challenge. She articulated this by saying, “In our culture, it is not accepted for a woman of a higher social status to marry into a family considered to be of a lower stature if another family member had previously married into a higher social station.”
Further exploring the societal pressures, she recounted how both families exhibited strong resistance. Despite the metaphorical ruckus—what she described as a ‘tehelka’ or a ‘bawaal’—they decided to pursue their relationship resolutely. “Bhaabhi wasn’t happy, mom wasn’t happy. Concerns were majorly about how he’d manage our lives together,” Mridula noted. Yet, over time, the skeptics slowly came around to accepting the couple, though not without remnants of unspoken disapproval.
.
While Mridula and Pankaj have charted a successful course both personally and professionally over the years, the nuances of familial acceptance continue to linger, a sentiment still palpable nearly two decades later. Mridula openly acknowledged, “There remains an element of not being completely accepted.”
Amidst these personal tribulations, Pankaj Tripathi’s career remains in the limelight, with his latest cinematic offering, “Stree 2,” creating significant waves in the film industry. The sequel to the 2018 hit “Stree,” this film has managed to captivate audiences, raking in an impressive Rs 453.60 crore net within just its second week of release.
Directed by Amar Kaushik, “Stree 2” has lived up to, and possibly exceeded, the high expectations set by its predecessor. The film’s success can be partly attributed to its engaging storyline and performances, including notable cameo appearances by Varun Dhawan and Akshay Kumar, whose contributions have been widely appreciated.
While “Stree 2” faces stiff competition from other new releases like Akshay Kumar’s “Khel Khel Mein” and John Abraham’s “Vedaa,” it has firmly established itself as a favorite among audiences, resonating both with critics and cinema-goers alike. The film’s looming milestone of crossing the Rs 600 crore mark only adds to the excitement building around it.
As Pankaj Tripathi continues to shine on the silver screen, the underlying narrative of his personal life paints a picture of resilience and love prevailing against societal odds—a saga that resonates with many who have faced similar familial challenges in their own lives.
The contrast between Mridula’s personal revelations and Pankaj’s professional triumphs highlights an intricate balance many celebrities navigate. Despite the glamour and success, the deeply rooted cultural contexts and challenges like those faced by Mridula serve to humanize such public figures, reminding us that behind the fame, personal narratives wield true influence.
