Exclusive: Manoj Bajpayee on completing a century at the movies
6 min read
You’ve completed a hundred films, how do you weigh success today?
My criteria remains the same. I measure success by my own standards, not by public praise. I critically evaluate my performances and films, identifying where they fall short, regardless of their acclaim or success. This rigorous self-assessment has been a part of my process since my theatre days. I strive to grow, improve and evolve. I believe this drive is evident in my work.
Today, what makes you feel that you’re successful? Is it the luxuries that come with being an actor?
I’ve never been attached to luxury or money. My remuneration is determined by the market, not by me. True success, for me, is achieving the goals I set out to accomplish. While others might find success in material wealth, like owning multiple properties, I find it in perfecting my craft. The one luxury I cherish is a month-long family vacation each year. I pray that it remains a part of my
life always.
When you sign on for a film, do you foresee that it would go on to achieve laurels?
When choosing a project, it’s impossible to predict whether it will win accolades. However, you can assess whether it has the potential to be a great film if executed well. If every department gives their best effort, the film can indeed turn out well. For instance, Gulmohar is a beautiful film that has given me a lot of satisfaction. The performances, including my own, are something I cherish.The film has received international acclaim, awards and attention at major festivals. On the other hand, Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai seems to have struck a unique chord with audiences. My 13-year-old daughter watched it four times during her vacation, which is a testament to its impact. Even the renowned director Shekhar Kapur, after a private screening, mentioned that my performance in Banda would be discussed and analysed for years to come. His words, along with the positive feedback from my daughter and other viewers, suggest that this film has a special quality that resonates with people, which is a rare and remarkable achievement.
Like in Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai, have you ever fought and won against someone influential?
In the past, I was more impulsive when I lived in Delhi or Bihar. But as I grew older and started a family, I became more cautious. However, Banda’s character is quite different. He begins as a timid, nervous individual who struggles to stand up to powerful people. Throughout the film, he gradually finds inner strength. Initially terrified whether it’s being chased, fearing for his life, or worrying about his family’s safety. Banda experiences significant personal growth. By the climax, his journey to discover and harness his inner strength becomes evident.
Do you pick your projects based on instinct or is it more calculative?
When considering a film, if I find the script significant, mesmerising, and unique, and the role intriguing. I take three to four days to reflect on it. If the script continues to resonate with me after that period, I decide to take the project on.
Several actors have said that makers today are hesitant as they don’t know what’ll work at the box-office. Do you think there is a scarcity of content?
There isn’t a scarcity of stories. But the landscape has shifted. Previously, successful filmmakers came from specific backgrounds and portrayed an aspirational India. Now the mood has changed. So our stories need to reflect the current reality, which is less aspirational and more uncertain. Globally, the film industry is struggling with similar issues, including in Hollywood, where there’s uncertainty about what audiences want. Anurag Kashyap’s observation about South Indian filmmakers—who come from small towns and deeply understand their culture—highlights a valuable approach. They draw from local mythology and traditions, and their stories resonate well. Urban filmmakers, who previously catered to aspirational audiences, now face a challenge. The current audience, largely from small towns and villages, seeks stories that reflect their own lives and cultures. To connect with this audience, filmmakers should consider incorporating elements from local culture and traditions into their narratives, rather than solely relying on urban perspectives.
With OTT shifting gears, do you think box-office will ever get its charm back?
As a cinema actor, I’ve always been hopeful and adapting to the evolving industry has been part of the journey. I come from a time before telephones. Writing letters to my father… I’ve adjusted to rapid changes in the world. Now, with the decline in theatre attendance and the shift away from traditional film releases, there’s concern. I hope for a resurgence in theatre-going public. At the same time, OTT has paved the way for decentralisation of power and has created more opportunities. So that’s
also good, right? While many films haven’t performed well recently, some have succeeded organically, which gives me hope. I’m optimistic that change is on the horizon and that the industry will rebound soon.
How do you weigh a successful project on OTT?
Success should be defined by quality, not merely by box office numbers. It’s not our job to focus on financial figures; the true measure lies in the quality of the work. Many films may perform well financially but are far from exceptional. I often find myself disappointed when a film, despite its commercial success, fails to meet creative standards. The numbers might reflect financial gain for producers and distributors, but they don’t necessarily represent the value of the actor’s creative contribution. We should focus on the quality of work and not just let ourselves be blinded by
the numbers.
In today’s time, there’s a lot of pressure on actors to stay relevant on social media, how do you deal with it?
Social media is a way of life now. But it also depends how much you want to rely upon it. I’m strict with myself as to how much I should use it, how much I should depend on it. If you go to any social media account of mine, you’ll mostly see posts related to my films. And you’ll see some family pictures, it’s only on the insistence of my PR. Otherwise, I try to keep even that aspect of my life to myself. We’ve been to the U.S. We’ve clicked many photographs. But you will not see those photographs on social media because this time we decided to keep it to ourselves. There’s too much of giving away your personal life on social media and it also somewhere encourages the social media audience to come more into your personal life, which we as
a family decided not to do.
If you had to say two things to Manoj Bajpayee who is just starting his career, what would you say?
Looking back, I’d advise patience. Success may come later than for others. But it will come. While some achieve early success in their twenties, I experienced my first taste of it in my thirties, with ups and downs along the way. My journey has been a rollercoaster, but I’ve learned to handle setbacks and criticism. Having seen it all in waves, nothing surprises me anymore.
Ziddi.
Manoj Bajpayee talks about completing a century at movies, family life and social media. Continue reading …Read More
