WATCHING FILMS IN THEATRES IS EXPENSIVE: MANOJ
Manoj Bajpayee says that the only reason he does commercial films is either for friendship or money
Despite a relatively dull start to the year, Manoj Bajpayee is not discouraged. He has a couple of interesting projects in the pipeline and has been busy attending film festivals across the world. We caught up with the actor to talk about his twenty year career in Bollywood, working on different mediums, and more. Excerpts:
You were recently honoured with the Pure Heaven Icon Award at the London International Film Festival. How does it feel to win awards on an international turf?
Independent film festivals celebrate creativity. They celebrate cinema as a creative medium and not as a commercial one. So, when films in different languages from various parts of the world are showcased there, your contribution also gains visibility. When they recognise your contribution to cinema as a medium, that gives you immense pleasure. I feel humbled. It is much more special, because this is not based on the number of hits and flops I have had.
How important is it for an actor to have international appeal in today’s time?
The word ‘appeal’ sounds very mainstream and commercial. I don’t have any appeal. If I get any recognition solely as a result of my work, I will be happy and ecstatic about that. I take performance very literally. In India, I do commercial films sometimes, but mostly I feel at home doing independent films. My job is to look for the script and contribute through my performance.
You have been a part of shows on the digital medium, and of course, movies. Has traditional cinema, as a medium, become less important for actors today?
Cinema in a dark theatre is far more exciting than anywhere else, because you see the film in its entirety. But that has become an expensive affair. Many film-makers are fighting for their films, and the digital medium has taken over. It’s going to be very difficult for almost 50% of the films that will be made to make it to theatres. The digital platform is making waves and they are giving a tough fight to films.
Do you feel that being a part of commercial films has helped you get access to different filmmakers?
I did Baaghi 2 solely for Ahmed Khan. I am part of Satyamev Jayate purely because of Nikhil Advani. Either it’s at the insistence of a very good friend of mine or the huge lure of money. I am very happy for being part of both these films and I did it only for the lure of friendship.
Has working for a friend ever backfired?
Of course it has backfired. But I don’t fight with them in public. I fight with them over the phone and in person.