Manoj Bajpayee is often regarded as the face of independent films and the actor hopes indie cinema becomes a fashion in the country and make money. The actor says after gaining recognition in the commercial space he could have easily said no to indie projects but backing content driven films was always his aim.
“I just hope independent films make money. I want independent movies should become a fashion in this country. I could easily afford not to do independent films but it is my passion for good cinema that I do it and I always wanted to be on the path of content and quality,” Bajpayee said.
Though he leans more towards indie films, Bajpayee has acted in conventional Bollywood potboilers like Veer Zaara, Bewafaa, Shootout at Wadala, Tevar among others. The actor cites maintaining relationships as the reason he did commercial films.
“I have been part of many superhit films. which could get me the chance to get into commercial zone. There is a conscious decision to do independent films.”
Bajpayee, 49, likes coming back to indie films as he gets more opportunity to showcase his acting skills.
“I am not regularly part of commercial films. This year I did Baaghi 2 and Satyameva Jayate and then I don’t have any hardcore commercial films lined up. I keep a distance from it because I like what I do in independent cinema or middle of the road films.”
For the Aiyaary actor, doing mainstream entertainers is like going to office.
“In commercial films things are conveyed easily and I don’t get a chance to work on a character. Here it is like wear your costume, say your dialogues with conviction and get out.
“For me it is like going to office, which I don’t like. Doing commercial films is like going to office, like a 9 to 5 (job), which I don’t like,” he adds.
His latest release is Satyameva Jayate that touches upon the topic of corruption and molestation. Bajpayee says today common man is troubled all the time in real life and sadly not much is done to prevent these things.
“This is the very strong and essential issue of the time and they should make many more such films so that the issue is addressed all the time.”
He has teamed up with John Abraham after a gap of five years. On a lighter note, Bajpayee says he often asks the action star to pass him some luck. “Whatever films he is doing they are working, he is a lucky guy. I tell him that he should give me some luck.”
STILL FLYING INDEPENDENT
Despite his most recent commercial turn, Bajpayee also features in first-time director Dipesh Jain’s Gali Guleiyan, a gritty film that saw its trailer drop on Saturday. The actor says he has always chosen independent movies over big budget entertainers as it is his comfort zone.
“I have done many films with all the newcomers though I have had the choice of working with all the established ones. I chose all these filmmakers over so-called established filmmakers and chose these independent films over the offers of mega budget films because this is what I always wanted to do, and this is what I feel comfortable doing,” he said.
The widely acclaimed and awarded actor said independent movies allow him a certain freedom.
“This is where I feel I can express myself, I can utilise myself, and somewhere I feel I can break so many limitations of mine while doing these films and when I am performing these characters. And though these films have not fetched the big numbers, these are what I have made a career out of.
“So, today it has been over 20 years in this industry and I am doing what I wanted to do ... Films like Gali Guleiyan, Aligarh, Gangs of Wasseypur ... I would say God is giving me all the right things for me to feel proud of myself,” he said.
Gali Guleiyan has travelled to several film festivals and won accolades.
“It all started with an email and this film has reached here ... Sometimes, God is really kind and pushes the right things towards you and it is up to you to mark those as right and grab them. These words have just been true,” he said of the movie, which will release in theatres worldwide on September 7.
It’s trailer underlines Manoj’s heart-wrenching portrayal of a man (named Khuddus) trapped within the walls and alleys of Old Delhi and his own mind. He attempts to break free to find a human connection.
The movie features an ensemble cast of actors like Ranvir Shorey, Neeraj Kabi and Shahana Goswami, along with debutant child actor Om Singh. Shot entirely on locations, Gali Guleiyan is directed by the Los Angeles-based Jain.
Manoj has said he plays one of his most complex roles ever in this movie.
“The film promises to be an immersive cinematic experience, where the audience will themselves feel the psychological aspects of the story,” he said in a statement.
