Bollywood Pankaj Tripathi has excelled in every way possible this year. Owing to his ever-increasing popularity, the actor has now been elected by the Government of Bihar as its State Icon.

The Newton actor hails from a village in Bihar and still stays connected to his roots as his parents still live there. Having had a humble beginning, Pankaj Tripathi has come a long way. Being a powerhouse of talent he is, filmmakers are creating roles keeping the 42-year-old in mind.

For his efforts, Tripathi was most recently awarded by his home state with Bihar Samman, an award given to individuals who have contributed to raising the honour of the state through their body of work. Now, as a State Icon, Pankaj will be the face of the state. He has a new role now to play the leader and help the youth understand the importance of voting. As the State Icon, he is to encourage the youth to look at voting day and rights as an imperative responsibility of a citizen of this nation. He will be participating in exercises to put this message across.

Speaking about the honour, the actor said, “In a democracy, voting is a huge and most important right of a common man. Whatever changes a common man wants to bring in the country he can bring it through the process of voting. Generally, today’s youth have a very wrong notion considering the voting day as a holiday in the calendar. They should not think that way and should come forward in huge numbers to vote, increase the voting percentage. This is a festival of democracy and should be celebrated enthusiastically and this is the only way to bring changes in the country.”

He added: “It’s a very important and serious responsibility conferred upon me. I come from a very common family background in a small village and getting an opportunity from home state to represent the state for an important and sensitive work is an honour for me and my family. I’ ll try to work with sincerity and abide with the responsibility conferred upon me by the Election Commission of India. I’ll be available whenever and wherever they needed me fulfilling my duties. It was my dream and wish to work in the interest of youth and in public domain which is soon going to be realised.”

On the film front, Pankaj Tripathi will be starring alongside Hrithik Roshan in his forthcoming film Super 30. The Vikas Bahl directorial is slated to release on 25 January 2019.