‘Whom are you texting?’: Pankaj Tripathi’s callout to his wife leaves IFFM audience in splits

Pankaj Tripathi, a celebrated actor, was honored with the esteemed 'Artist of Distinction' award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2026. Accompanied by his wife, Mridula Tripathi, the actor participated in a session alongside her. During the event, Pankaj playfully directed his wife's attention, noticing her preoccupation with her phone.

In a video that quickly gained traction on social media, Pankaj can be seen addressing the audience, questioning whom she was communicating with repeatedly. His witty remark elicited laughter from the crowd. "Tum kise lagatar type kiye jaa rahi ho meri nazar usme ja rahi hai. Mian dekh raha hoon mujhe sunn hi nahi rahi ho?" he inquired, translating to "Whom are you texting continuously?

My attention is going there. I am speaking continuously and you are not listening to me." When Mridula responded that she was messaging their daughter, Aashi, Pankaj playfully advised her, "Tell her that her father's program has started." Reflecting on their 25-year marriage, Pankaj expressed his admiration for his wife, noting how he constantly observes her reactions during their conversations.

The couple's adorable bond resonated with fans, who flooded the comment section with compliments. Pankaj Tripathi, also known for his role as Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur, is set to continue his professional journey with the upcoming film, "Mirzapur: The Movie," which is scheduled to release on September 4.