‘What She Did In 2 Shows Took Me Years’: Pankaj Tripathi Praises Daughter Aashi’s Acting Debut

Pankaj Tripathi praises daughter Aashi’s stage debut in Lailaaj, produced by Roopkatha Rangmanch, noting her rapid growth.
Pankaj Tripathi is a happy dad right now and for good reason. His daughter Aashi has stepped into acting, making her stage debut last month with the play Lailaaj. The production is special for the family too, as it’s the first play from Pankaj and his wife Mridula’s theatre banner, Roopkatha Rangmanch.
The shows were held in Mumbai in November and got a warm response. Pankaj said he didn’t watch Aashi’s performance as a father, but as an actor. Talking about how she handled his notes, he told HT, “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 picks up things much faster, though their challenges are tougher too.
For now, Aashi hasn’t decided whether she wants to take up acting full-time. But Pankaj isn’t putting any pressure on her. “I will let her find her way… Not just my daughter, I think this freedom should be given to all kids. Tell them to do what they want, and even if they fail, it’s no big deal," he said.
Written, directed, composed, and lyrically driven by Faiz Mohammed Khan, Lailaaj was a refreshing blend of humour, music, and heartwarming storytelling. The musical was staged on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of November at Rangshila Theatre in Mumbai.
For Pankaj Tripathi, this first stage production is very close to his heart. He started his career in theatre long before films, and he still calls theatre his “first love." Coming back to it as a producer feels like a full-circle moment for him.
Speaking emotionally about this new beginning, Pankaj Tripathi had 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."
On the work front, Pankaj was last seen in Anurag Basu’s Metro…In Dino. He is currently shooting the Mirzapur film and Parivarak Manuranjan with Aditi Rao Hydari. Both films are expected to arrive in 2026.