Pankaj Tripathi is set to make his hosting debut at the IIFA Digital Awards 2027. The ceremony will take place in Abu Dhabi. The actor has admitted that the new responsibility has left him nervous.
He will share hosting duties with his Mirzapur co-stars Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee. The trio recently attended the IIFA 2027 press conference in Mumbai, where they spoke about their upcoming hosting roles and shared a glimpse of their friendship off screen.
Pankaj Tripathi's Hosting Debut at IIFA Digital Awards 2027
Pankaj Tripathi is known for his soft-spoken nature. Taking the stage as a host for the first time is a big step for him, and he has been open about his doubts.
His comment about being "more of a ghost than a host" sums up how he feels about the job. It is a funny line, but it also shows that he is not fully comfortable with the spotlight that comes with hosting a big awards night.
"I will be more of a ghost than a host." — Pankaj Tripathi
Mirzapur Trio Takes Over the IIFA Stage
The hosting lineup brings together three actors who have worked closely on Mirzapur. Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee will join Pankaj Tripathi on stage in Abu Dhabi.
At the Mumbai press conference, the three spoke about their off-screen bond. Ali Fazal also discussed the box-office performance of Mirzapur The Movie at the same event.
- Pankaj Tripathi makes his hosting debut at the IIFA Digital Awards 2027
- He hosts alongside Mirzapur co-stars Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee
- The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi next year
- The trio attended the IIFA 2027 press conference in Mumbai
Our Take: A Nervous Host Is Worth Watching
In our view, Pankaj Tripathi's honesty about his nerves is exactly why this hosting debut is worth watching. Most award show hosts come out with loud energy and rehearsed jokes. Pankaj is saying the opposite — that he may barely be visible on stage. That kind of self-awareness is rare in an industry that usually rewards confidence over honesty.
To put it plainly, the pairing with Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee makes sense. The three already share a comfort level from Mirzapur, and that chemistry could carry the show better than any scripted banter. If Pankaj really does play the quiet, ghost-like host while his co-stars take the lead, it could turn into one of the more memorable hosting setups in recent award seasons.
For readers, the takeaway is simple: this is not a polished, practiced hosting trio. It is three actors stepping into a new format together, and one of them is openly unsure about it. That makes the IIFA Digital Awards 2027 in Abu Dhabi something to keep an eye on.
Sources & References
- Original news report on Pankaj Tripathi's hosting debut at the IIFA Digital Awards 2027 and his comments at the IIFA 2027 press conference in Mumbai.
