Pankaj Tripathi wraps up shoot of Criminal Justice despite corona-threat

The show Criminal Justice is headlined by Tripathi who reprises his role as Advocate Madhav Mishra whereas Kulhari plays a woman on trial after killing her abusive husband. After a memorable first season, the Hotstar shows Criminal Justice returns for a second run soon.

Starring Pankaj Tripathi and Kirti Kulhari as lead, the show was on floors in March when the nationwide lockdown was announced. Through the last month, the show was shot extensively and wrapped up only recently. The first season was helmed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and Vishal Furia. The baton has now been passed to Rohan Sippy and Arjun Banerjee. It was shot across various locations in the city and on the outskirts of Mumbai.

Tripathi, who is having a golden run this year with releases like Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl to his name, shot amidst rising Covid cases in the city. Though shoots are on, actors are often wary of stepping out. Tripathi, who lives with his wife and daughter, self quarantined himself in a section of the house through the weeks he was shooting.

On part of the production, the sets were sanitized twice as per protocol. The teams had tested for Covid prior to shooting. But Tripathi ensured that he was responsible and not bringing in the disease home to his family. Stepping out with a slim team, the actor also ensured that he constantly sanitized himself in between shoots to minimize the chances of contact transmission. Being the most important actor in the set, as a returning character, he knew he had to set the right precedent.

Extremely cautious and vigilant, Pankaj Tripathi ensured the team brought in their food and water from home.