All posts tagged: Manoj

Manoj Bajpayee admits his heart lies in small, independent cinema, treats big films as ’40-50 din ki picnic’ | Interview

Manoj Bajpayee admits his heart lies in small, independent cinema, treats big films as ’40-50 din ki picnic’ | Interview

Published by Parlour News

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. Manoj Bajpayee in a still from his latest film, Governor. 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?” …

‘Exhibitors ko dara-dhamkakar show lete hain’: Manoj Bajpayee questions big films’ monopoly, wants ‘level playing field’

‘Exhibitors ko dara-dhamkakar show lete hain’: Manoj Bajpayee questions big films’ monopoly, wants ‘level playing field’

Published by Parlour News

Actor Manoj Bajpayee has emphasised the need for a ‘level playing field’ for films of all sizes and scales in India. He has said that the dominance and monopoly of big-budget films make it very difficult for small, independent films to find screens across the country. Manoj Bajpayee opens up about the cinema exhibition system in India. Manoj Bajpayee on government intervention in cinema exhibition In a recent conversation with HT, filmmaker Reema Kagti insisted that small films needed patronage, not ‘support’ from the audience. When we bring the same up with Manoj, the veteran actor responds, “With small films, patronage shuruaat hoti hai exhibition se. (patronage starts with exhibition). The day the government makes this policy that each and every film will get enough showcasing, then they will have some kind of a fair platform, a level playing field. Until we get that, it’s tough.” Manoj says he agrees with Reema’s assertion that independent cinema in India needs patronage, but wants that patronage to come from the administration, and for it to be infrastructural, …

The Voice of Hind Rajab sees encouraging start in India, says distributor Manoj Nandwana

The Voice of Hind Rajab sees encouraging start in India, says distributor Manoj Nandwana

Published by Webster

It earned accolades, standing ovations, and executive produced by Hollywood’s creme de la creme, yet remained unseen in India for six months. Director Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab finally opened in cinemas on Friday (June 19) across 80 screens in India. While the film hasn’t secured a wide release or packed halls from day one, distributor Manoj Nandwana says the initial response has been encouraging, with interest emerging from unexpected corners of the country. Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: Source link

After Satya, Bal Thackeray was ‘disappointed, baffled’ to learn Manoj Bajpayee wasn’t Marathi | Bollywood News

After Satya, Bal Thackeray was ‘disappointed, baffled’ to learn Manoj Bajpayee wasn’t Marathi | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

3 min readMumbaiJun 20, 2026 12:45 PM IST Satya, directed by Ram Gopal Varma and released in 1998, put Manoj Bajpayee firmly on the map. The film turned him into an overnight sensation, and over the years, it has only grown in stature, with audiences revisiting it for his seminal portrayal of the gangster Bhiku Mhatre. Recently, Manoj revealed that so many people assumed he was Marathi after watching the film that even Bal Thackeray believed it. ‘Bal Thackeray was so disappointed’ “Forget about anyone, Mr Bal Thackeray thought that too,” he said in a chat with Hindustan Times. “He invited me to his place. He gave me so much respect, but he was completely baffled when he came to know that I am not from Maharashtra. And then he asked me to learn Marathi. He was so disappointed, but I had a great meeting with him. He gave me lots of blessings for the future.” In an earlier conversation with PTI, the actor described Satya as a true “game changer” in his career. “I …

After Satya, Bal Thackeray was baffled to learn Manoj Bajpayee was not Marathi: ‘He was so disappointed’ | Interview

After Satya, Bal Thackeray was baffled to learn Manoj Bajpayee was not Marathi: ‘He was so disappointed’ | Interview

Published by Parlour News

In a career that has seen him take on arguably every kind of role, Manoj Bajpayee has become one of the rare ‘acclaimed’ actors to have become a household name in India. As his latest film, Governor, is running in theatres, the National Award winner sits down with Hindustan Times to discuss the role, his journey, and the state of Indian cinema. Manoj Bajpayee played gangster Bhiku Mhatre in Satya. ‘To make an engaging film on an RBI Governor is a huge thing’ 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. “It’s a run against time for the protagonist to save the country from the crisis,” says Manoj of the film, describing it as a ‘thriller’ and not a ‘technical film on economy’. The actor says he was surprised by how engaging the script was. “To make a thrilling and engaging film on an RBI Governor and his journey …

Yash Chopra paid Manoj Bajpayee lead actor fee for Veer Zaara despite brutal reality check | Bollywood News

Yash Chopra paid Manoj Bajpayee lead actor fee for Veer Zaara despite brutal reality check | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

3 min readMumbaiJun 17, 2026 06:01 PM IST Those who have seen Yash Chopra’s penultimate directorial, Veer-Zaara, will remember the role played by Manoj Bajpayee. Though his character carried shades of an antagonist, he remains etched in popular memory as the man who stood in the way of Veer and Zaara’s union. Recently, the actor opened up about how he landed the film and revealed that Yash Chopra insisted on paying him the same fee he would typically receive for playing a lead role. ‘I don’t really make films for actors like you’ Speaking on Shekhar Tonite, Manoj Bajpayee recalled receiving a call from Yash Chopra. “Yash ji called me up, and he asked, ‘There’s a cameo role in my film. Would you do it? After watching Pinjar, I felt that you are the only one who could pull off this role.’ Believe me, I didn’t even want to hear the script from him because I wanted to be directed by him. I said, ‘Yash ji, just tell me when I have to come. Just …

Manoj Bajpayee’s Film Struggles To Cross The 5 Crore Mark!

Manoj Bajpayee’s Film Struggles To Cross The 5 Crore Mark!

Published by Parlour News

Governor Box Office Day 4 (Early Trends): Tough Road Ahead For Manoj Bajpayee’s Film (Photo Credit – Instagram) Manoj Bajpayee is undoubtedly a powerhouse performer, but his latest theatrical outing, Governor, is finding it incredibly hard to replicate that success at the box office. Helmed by Chinmay D Mandlekar, the financial-political drama has shown a downward trend on its first Monday, hinting at a very tough battle ahead. In fact, the film has struggled to pass the crucial Monday litmus test, making it highly unlikely to hit even the modest 5 crore milestone! On Day 4, the first Monday, the political financial drama witnessed the typical weekday drop, but because the weekend numbers were already on the lower side, this drop hit even harder. Governor Box Office Day 4 Estimates Governor managed to pull in only around 50 – 55 lakh net in India playing across approximately 1,350 shows nationwide, but could only muster an overall average occupancy of just 11% through the day 4, Monday, June 15. With this addition, the 4-day cumulative total …

Kangana Ranaut Is Leading Over Manoj Bajpayee By A Margin Of Only 4.2%!

Kangana Ranaut Is Leading Over Manoj Bajpayee By A Margin Of Only 4.2%!

Published by Webster

Governor VS Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata Box Office Day 2 (Photo Credit –Instagram) The box office is currently witnessing an incredibly tight, neck-and-neck clash between two of four Bollywood films – Haunted 3D, Main Vaapas Aaunga, Governor, and Bharat Bhhagya Vidhaata. Out of the four, while Haunted 3D has outperformed all, Kangana Ranaut and Manoj Bajpayee’s films are battling it out intensely! The political thriller and the emotional drama are both trying to fight for audience and box office numbers! After wrapping up the first two days of their theatrical runs, the dust has settled on Saturday night to reveal a nail-biting war, with Kangana Ranaut managing to grab the lead over Manoj Bajpayee. But the gap is microscopic – separated by a margin of just 4.2%! Governor VS Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata Box Office Day 2 Both films target a similar mature audience base, which naturally impacted footfalls. However, Saturday brought good news for both films as they registered an upward trend. While Bharat Bhaagya Viddhaata earned 1.45 crore, Governor earned 1.25 crore at the box office …

Manoj Bajpayee’s Film Maintains Its Pace On Saturday!

Manoj Bajpayee’s Film Maintains Its Pace On Saturday!

Published by Parlour News

Governor Box Office Day 2 (Early Trends): Manoj Bajpayee’s Film Holds Well! ( Photo Credit – Instagram ) The highly congested multi-starrer box office battle this Friday, June 12, has proven to be a tough nut to crack for content-driven films – especially for Governor. However, Manoj Bajpayee’s intensely gripping political financial thriller is trying its best to carve out a steady pace for itself. After opening to a quiet Friday, the film has managed to hold its ground on the first Saturday. Despite clashing with Kangana Ranaut’s Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Diljit Dosanjh’s Main Vaapas Aaunga, and Mimoh’s Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past, Chinmay D Mandlekar’s film is struggling but maintaining its pace still! Governor Box Office Day 2 Estimates As per the early trends, on Saturday, day 2, June 12, Governor earned in the range of 1.2 – 1.5 crore with overall theater occupancy up to 17% an escalation from previous day’s 15% occupancy. The two-day total of the film stands at  2.3 – 2.6 crore. This brings a sigh of relief, considering …

Manoj Bajpayee reveals Yash Chopra paid him lead actor’s fee

Manoj Bajpayee reveals Yash Chopra paid him lead actor’s fee

Published by Webster

Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta, Veer-Zaara went on to become a cult classic. The film also features Manoj Bajpayee in a cameo role. Manoj Bajpayee has shared an interesting anecdote about working with legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra. The actor revealed that despite playing only a cameo, he was paid the same fee he usually charged for a lead role. He also recalled Yash Chopra’s candid response when he asked for a bigger part. Manoj Bajpayee on Veer Zaara fees During his conversation with Shekhar, Manoj revealed that after the success of Satya, he turned down several lucrative film offers because most of the roles being offered to him were villainous characters. When Shekhar asked if he regretted his cameo in Veer-Zaara, Manoj stated, “Yash ji called me up, and he asked, ‘There’s a cameo role in my film. Would you do it? After watching Pinjar, I felt that you are the only one who could pull off this role.’ I didn’t even want to hear the script from him because I wanted to …