over the years, Manoj Bajpayee Earned a reputation for playing diverse characters and loving stories that challenge the mundane. While his work spans commercial blockbusters, OTT platforms and independent productions, he admits that his true passion lies in projects that push his creative boundaries. In a recent conversation, the actor opened up about how his choices have evolved over time and why he continues to gravitate toward independent and middling films, even as big-budget mainstream films are still being offered to him.
what driver Manoj Bajpayee’s movie selections
In a candid conversation with Hindustan Times, Manoj spoke about the factors that drive his film choices and it all turns out to be about personal fulfillment. When asked if his leaning toward independent films was intentional, the actor didn’t hesitate. “In fact, if I told you this, you wouldn’t believe it, mera mann lagta hai,” he said, revealing that the real thrill for him was shocking those closest to him. “I really enjoy my performance when I do something that surprises everyone around me, like ‘Is this Manoj Bajpayee?’ It’s really awesome,” he shared. He explains that it was this surprising influx of people that kept him away from the mainstream. Bajpayee added: “So to get that thrill, I would go for a middle-of-the-road cinema or an independent cinema.”
Manoj Bajpayee admits comfort in big-budget films is real
Bajpayee also doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the appeal of big-budget productions and admits that such offers often come on his plate. “Just paas me from the big-budget film bahut aati hain,” he said. In a humorous way, he paints a rather comfortable picture of what working on a mainstream project is like – a far cry from the drudgery of performance-focused indie films. “Aapko jaana hai. Badhiya si van mein baithoonga. Acchi-acchi cheez order karoonga. Kyastress lene ki zaroorat nahi hai? “(You gotta go. I’ll sit in a nice place and order something great. There’s no need to be stressed, is there?) he quipped, poking fun at the relatively laid-back atmosphere that big productions can sometimes provide. He even went on to describe the 40 or 50-day stretch of certain business ventures as “ek tareeke ki picnic hogi” – although he quickly added that he was not allowed to work from the project anyway.
Manoj Bajpayee says hard work is non-negotiable
The actor has made it clear that he will not compromise on hard work, no matter how big or small the film is. “No, of course, I will work hard. Jab shot aayega toh mehnat karoonga hi.Mehnat karna mere DNA mein hai,” he said. However, the actor also got honest about the stress of years of playing intense and demanding roles. “The temptation is happening because I’ve invested so much in these movies and as I’ve gotten older and the intensity has increased, I’ve gotten a little tired of it,” he admits, offering a rare and honest look at the exhaustion that comes with such an involved career.
Manoj Bajpayee shines governor
Bajpayee is currently winning hearts for his performance in Governor, a low-budget independent film directed by Chinmay D. Mandlekar. The film, which was released in select theaters across India, stars him as S. Venkitaramanan, a former governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Set against the backdrop of India’s financial turmoil in the early 1990s, the story reveals Venkitaramanan’s key role in one of the most critical chapters in India’s economic history.
What type of cinema do you prefer?
