WINNING STREAK

Manoj Bajpayee talks about life and career choices. Suman Sharma records his sombre explanations

- Suman Sharma

Manoj Bajpayee. He’s one actor who infuses his characters with a sense of grace. There’s a stability to every role that he essays. In the recently released OTT movie, Gulmohar, he plays a middle-aged man who is searching for validation from his family members. He’d been adopted as a child and the fact that he doesn’t belong to his milieu always haunts him, despite the love showered on him by everyone. And he doesn’t need dialogue to make his angst felt. Perhaps it’s all so real because in a sense, despite being an insider now, Manoj in his mind still sees himself as an outsider to the film industry. Someone who thinks he isn’t truly accepted even after all these years. Perhaps his aloofness, his reticence, stems from that. The only place which truly frees him is in the front of the camera and that’s where he lets go of all inhibitions and becomes the character he’s playing. Presenting excerpts from an interview where the talented actor is caught in a reflective mood…

Your recently released film, Gulmohar, is getting so much love on OTT. And you are all set for Family Man season 3. You must be enjoying your popularity on OTT?

Yes, Gulmohar is doing so well. Every day it’s growing bigger and bigger, which is humbling. A small family film that has become a national favourite. OTT is a democratic space. If you are part of a good project and your performance is good, people will send their love to you. And they also immediately point out even the smallest of flaws. So it’s democratic and also brutal. One has to be sure of the project and character that one is taking on. You can’t be lazy while approaching the character.