Even after three cult movies, filmmakers didn’t know what to do with me: Manoj

Actor Manoj Bajpayee is perhaps one of the most bankable actors in the film industry right now. However, he remembers a time when even after doing cult movies, filmmakers didn’t offer him films. The industry looked at him as an actor who was not “saleable” enough.

Manoj, who was recently seen in the film Aiyaary, says, “After Satya (1998), Shool (1999) and Kaun (1999), film offers started drying out because filmmakers did not know what to do with Manoj Bajpayee other than giving him a villain's role and getting him thrashed by the main heroes. Since they were finding it difficult to work with me, I was finding it difficult to be part of a city like Mumbai after giving three cult films. All the luxuries that a successful person can have after three remarkable films were completely non-existent for me.”

“Things started changing with Pinjar (2003), and then again I went downhill commercially, because I was again not saleable. People were not giving me a second chance in the box-office oriented industry,” he says.

The actor, who has films such as Chittagong (2012), Special 26 (2013), Traffic (2016) and Naam Shabana (2017) to his credit, also has a painful memory etched in his mind. “Once, I had entered a function and one of the top channel’s journalist asked his cameraman to turn his camera away from me because I was not important enough. I have seen those kind of ups and downs,” says Manoj, who hails from Bihar.

Regardless of such treatment, the actor’s spirit was not deflated. “I knew these things would happen to me and that I had to be very patient and do things that are meaningful and part of my dreams. It paid off in the end. My resolve was strong. I thought, no matter what, I will do what is right for me. I will not let anyone else confuse me about my dreams. I sat at home for a long time then, but I decided that I was not going to sit at home any longer when there are great roles out there,” says Manoj.

However, the actor has faith in the new crop of filmmakers, who have a global vision. “The new lot of directors have grown up watching diverse films. They don’t want to compete with just Indian directors. They want to compete on a global platform,” he says.

Once, I had entered a function and one of the top channel’s journalist asked his cameraman to turn his camera away from me because I was not important enough. I have seen those kind of ups and downs. MANOJ BAJPAYEE, ACTOR

PHOTO: AMAL KS/HT