Pankaj Tripathi's daughter Aashi makes acting debut: 'She was sharper than me'

Pankaj Tripathi with his wife and daughter

As Pankaj Tripathi steps into his new role as a producer with The Perfect Family, he has one more reason to rejoice. His daughter Aashi has taken her first steps into acting. She made her stage debut last month with the play Lailaaj. The play is the first production under Pankaj and his wife Mridula's theatre banner, Roopkatha Rangmanch. The shows of Lailaaj were held in Mumbai in November.

Pankaj Tripathi on daughter's acting debut

Proud father Pankaj says he did not watch the play as Aashi's dad, but as a fellow actor. Speaking to Hindustan Times about how his daughter received his feedback, he said, "She took it very well. By the third show, I saw her improvement. I felt she was sharper than me… She achieved that miracle in just three shows." He added that today's generation learns quickly, even though their challenges are tougher.

Pankaj Tripathi further shared that Aashi has not yet decided whether she wants to pursue acting as a full-fledged career, and he isn't pressuring her to make a decision. "I will let her find her way… Not just my daughter, I think this freedom should be given to all kids. Let them do what they want, and even if they fail, it's no big deal," he said.

Pankaj on returning to theatre

Pankaj, who also began his acting journey in theatre and still calls it his first love, said returning to the stage as a producer felt like coming full circle. Speaking emotionally about this new beginning, he shared, "Roopkatha Rangmanch is not just a production house for us; it is an emotional extension of our roots. My journey as an actor began on the stage- in the simplicity of backstage chaos, borrowed costumes, and the magic of performing for a live audience. Theatre has taught me sincerity, patience, emotion, and discipline. Whatever I am today, I owe a large part of it to those early years under the spotlight and in the wings. When Mridula and I decided to start our own banner, I felt a strong desire that our first production must honour the medium that shaped me. Lailaaj is our humble tribute to theatre, to the craft, and to every artist who finds their truth on stage."

Lailaaj was directed and composed by Faiz Mohammed Khan. The play is a refreshing blend of humour, music and heartwarming storytelling. The musical had three shows at Rangshila Theatre in Mumbai.