Breaking Character: Manoj Bajpayee Opens Up on Anger Management
(Photo Credit; The Hindu)
Celebrating 100 Films: Manoj Bajpayee on Bhaiyya Ji, Action & 3 Decades in Bollywood
This rewrite condenses the information while highlighting the key points:
- Celebrating 100 Films: Emphasizes the milestone of his 100th film.
- Manoj Bajpayee on Bhaiyya Ji: Connects the actor to his current film.
- Action & 3 Decades in Bollywood: Briefly mention the interview topics.
Known for acclaimed dramas, Manoj Bajpayee dives into action with “Bhaiyya Ji” after character-driven films like “Ek Hi Banda Kaafi Hai.”
Manoj Bajpayee is relishing his action turn in “Bhaiyya Ji” after a string of acclaimed dramas. He admits he’s been offered action films before, but they never felt right. “The director’s intention was different,” he explains. He craved a filmmaker with a genuine passion for the project, “who wanted to make a film for fun rather than just to make money.”
Bajpayee envisioned himself in a more indie space, “in the middle of the road genre.” Enter director Apoorv Singh Karki, a fan of Telugu and Tamil mainstream cinema. Karki’s pitch? “I want to make a similar film, and that too with you. If you do it, it will be an innovation.” This unique opportunity, a chance to push boundaries and have a blast—outweighed even the physical risks. So, Bajpayee embraced the project, ready to “go and have fun” on a whole new level.
(Photo Credit; Forbes India)
What was the most challenging part of playing Bhaiyya Ji?
Action! A New Kind of Challenge:
While Manoj Bajpayee thrives on emotional acting, “Bhaiyya Ji” pushes him physically. Injuries were frequent, and the tight schedule and budget demanded a grand spectacle on a shoestring. He reveals, “We didn’t use many stunt doubles.” Working with legendary South Indian action director S. Vijayan meant pushing past the pain. “He’s a no-nonsense guy. You forget the injuries, shoot every day, and finish it.” This grueling experience, however, has a silver lining: “After training under Vijayan, any action film will be a cakewalk!”
When you think about commercial cinema, what comes to mind?
I don’t understand any other actor apart from Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, and Shatrughan Sinha. This is the effect of my growing years. It’s the right film to be my 100th film. Right? Because those were the films I watched growing up, and now my 100th film is similar, so yes, I am very happy.
Has your acting process changed over the years?
I am not the kind of actor who does only one genre of film. This is the most difficult thing. On one hand, I did Killer Soup, and just before that, I had a release like Gulmohar. When you constantly change genres, it does not allow you to be content or to relax. In such a situation, you are learning, then unlearning, because by constantly changing genres, the acting process becomes different and there is no repetition.
30 years in the industry… So when you look back, what clicks in your mind?
My first shoot, was with Seema Biswas for Bandit Queen. Whenever I meet Shekhar Kapur, I cannot believe that it has been so many years since we did that film. It is a very big thing for me that I have spent 30 years in this industry with all the failures, rejections, and a little bit of success. The only thing that kept me going was my never-give-up attitude. I always say that if you come here, decide that you will keep walking. No matter how much you fall, you will get up and keep moving.
There must have been some sacrifices to achieve success.
The only sacrifice I made was my time with my parents. I have never seen them grow old, and now they are no more. I have never stayed with them. I was in a hostel when I was a child, then I left for Delhi. And then from Delhi to Mumbai. My life in Mumbai was such that I could never call them because I knew that they would struggle here alone.
Do you regret doing any film in the past?
When I look back, I remember that I did some rubbish films in between, which I should not have done. But then I did such films for money because the household needs to run. In some films, I also did it for friendship.
How have you changed as a person in the last few years?
I have calmed down quite a bit. Maybe because of my experience and also because of your age, you keep calming down. Earlier, I used to get very angry, but spiritual practices helped me deal with anger management. This is only possible when you realize that something is wrong. Until you understand that it is wrong, you cannot work on it. I knew from my childhood that my anger hurt people. It offends them. Being angry also caused problems for me, and I suffered from it too. So, I worked on it, and now I’m able to control my anger.
Disclaimer
This statement is based on an interview with Manoj Bajpayee and reflects his personal experience. It does not constitute professional advice on anger management.
Individual experiences with anger control vary. If you are struggling with anger, it is recommended that you seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional. They can create a personalized plan to help you manage your anger effectively.
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