After two gripping seasons of Criminal Justice, Applause Entertainment is back with an even more engaging third season, not because the Franchise is a hit. But because there is a genuinely powerful story to tell.
The very talented Common Man’s uncommonly astute actor Pankaj Tripathy who plays the ostensibly naïve Bihari lawayer Madhav Mishra is here assigned to defend a 17-year old boy who is accused of killing his 14-year old stepsister.
This time the stakes seem completely weighed against Madhav.
“But that’s the way he enjoys his work as a lawyer. For Madhav Mishra the more complicated the case seems, the easier it is for him to feel challenged and useful.Madhav doesn’t only want to win he also wants to change the legal system.He is ambitious. And much more capable than people think him to be,” says the versatile Pankaj last seen as a village simpleton ready to be devoured by a tiger for urgently needed money in Srijit Mukherjee’s Sherdil: The Pilbhit Saga.
In real life Pankaj doesn’t need to work for money any more. “I can now say no to roles that don’t challenge me.By God’s grace ,I have a beautiful home in Madh Island for my family.”
Pankaj says Criminal Justice is special. “Among all the films and series I have done, Criminal Justice gives me the maximum satisfaction as an actor. In this role of the lawyer Madhav Mishra I behave in character. I don’t have to act all the time for the camera. Hamare yahan aaj bhi cheehkne chilaane ko acha acting kehte hain. Zyaadatar waise roles ke liye awards milte hain. (We consider screaming shouting to be good acting and give awards to such performances).In Criminal Justice I have remained with the character throughout.”
Pankaj sees Madhav Mishra as an ambitious idealistic very quiet smalltowner trapped in the urban jungle. “ Madhav Mishra is such a sad sack. He is constantly seeking to assert himself, place himself above the inconsequential space allotted to him by life. For a change I don’t act as Madhav Mishra. I behave. That is to say I remain in character throughout not resorting to histrionics to get noticed. I love my character of the lawyer Madhav Mishra. He is a common workingclass man, your Everyman, a lawyer whose inherent sense of selfworth and dignity in spite of handing seedy cases,keep him from derailing from his moral track.”
Actor Pankaj Tripathi, decoding Madhav Mishra’s essence, said, “What makes Madhav Mishra relatable to audiences is that he comes across as everybody’s lawyer. His ability to simplify difficult concepts makes the one who is seeking counsel at ease. In Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach, he becomes a versatile lawyer taking on different tasks for the client whose intent he’s unsure of. I’m extremely happy to come back as Madhav Mishra in the brand new season of Criminal Justice.”
Pankaj admits that dealing with a juvenile accused made the third season of Criminal Justice which starts streaming on Disney+Hotstar from August 26,trickier than the first two seasons. “It is a child’s life at stake . At the same time he cannot be treated softly if he has really committed a crime.This time the situation is far more slippery.”