There was a time when Manoj Bajpayee would be seen in commercial mainstream Hindi films such as Veer-Zaara, Rajneeti, and Special 26. But over the last decade, the National Award-winning actor has shifted focus to working in smaller, independent films. His latest, Governor, is the latest in a series of acclaimed, small-budget films featuring the actor. In a candid chat with Hindustan Times, the veteran actor talks about his love for independent films and what it would take to get him back to mainstream cinema.
On independent films
HT: Over time, you have diversified your filmography a lot. But over the last few years, you have been doing more independent films. Is that a conscious thought or just accidental?
Manoj Bajpayee: Actually, if I tell you that, you will not believe it, mera mann lagta hai. (My heart is in it.) I enjoy my performance a lot when I am doing something such that even those near me are surprised, like “Is this Manoj Bajpayee?” It’s a kick. Toh main us kick ke liye na main middle of the road cinema ya independent cinema karoon. (So for that kick, I do middle-of-the-road cinema or independent cinema).
HT: So you are doing that at the cost of big-budget films? Are you refusing them or…?
Manoj Bajpayee: Mere paas mein big budget film bahut aati hain.Haan aur aisa nahi hai ki temptation nahi hoti hai ki bhai kuch usmein kuch nahi karo. Aapko jaana hai. Badhiya si van mein baithoonga. Acchi-acchi cheez order karoonga. Kya stress lene ki zaroorat nahi hai? Scene milega padhoonga. Linein yaad karke jaake thodi comedy kar doonga. Toh yeh line bol doonga aur 40 din 50 din jo hai, ek tareeke ki picnic hogi. (Well, a lot of big-budget films come to me. And it’s not that there isn’t temptation. You have to go. I’ll sit in a nice van. I’ll order nice things. What is the need for any stress? I’ll get the scene, I’ll read it. I’ll memorise the lines, go and do a bit of comedy. Then I’ll say this line, and for 40-50 days it will be a kind of picnic.)
HT: Really, a picnic?
Manoj Bajpayee: No, of course, I will work hard. Jab shot aayega toh mehnat karoonga hi. Mehnat karna mere DNA mein hai. (When the shot comes, I will work hard. Obviously, working hard is in my DNA.) Now, the temptation is happening because I have invested so much in these films that I am getting a bit tired with the age and with the intensity.
HT: Is that because these intense, independent films extract too much of you?
Manoj Bajpayee: Yeah! Your brain has a certain capacity. A lot of hard work goes into it.
HT: So are you thinking of giving into the temptation?
Manoj Bajpayee: I sometimes feel that yaar let’s do it yaar let’s go and have fun. Aur log agar enjoy karenge toh hit bhi ho jaayegi. Nahi toh log maaf kar denge. (And if people enjoy it, it will be a hit. Otherwise, people will forgive.) Who knows? I may do it.
Manoj Bajpayee’s Governor
Manoj’s latest film, Governor, is a small-budget independent film that got a limited release in India last weekend. Directed by Chinmay D. Mandlekar, Governor stars Manoj Bajpayee as S. Venkitaramanan, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. The film recounts Venkitaraman’s role in saving India from the 1990 economic crisis.
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