'Not been a bed of roses': Manoj Bajpayee reflects on acting career

Manoj Bajpayee, who debuted in Bollywood with Droh Kaal, and has been a part of the Indian film industry for two-and-a-half decades now, has come a long way.

Once, the actor’s photograph was torn up by an assistant director and he was asked to “get out” after delivering his first shot. Now, he boasts three National accolades and is headlining shows and films.

Thus, in an interview with Hindustan Times, Bajpayee has reflected on his journey. “It has definitely not been a bed of roses. When you read these interviews, it says so much about the journey. Someday, I will write my autobiography so you can come to know what it was like. You can’t really sum it up in a 15-minute interview,” he remarked.

“All I will say is that I had quite a lot of ups and downs. It was a roller-coaster ride which I would never wish on anybody else,” added the actor, because he feels the 25 years he has spent in the Indian cinema have only passed in struggling to get films and good roles.
Despite his flick Satya being a hit, Manoj did not become a successful star overnight. In the past, he opened up about the direct and indirect attacks made on him, in the form of ‘blind items’ and ‘politics’.

“Whatever happened is done. But at the same time, the industry has been a very competitive and cutthroat one. Anyone who tries to venture into this profession withholding their self-respect and carrying big dreams will be left disappointed by people who will turn into their enemies. They will expect you to work according to their dreams. And because of my brought up, I was not ready to live their dreams. I was only here to live my own,” asserted The Family Man actor.

But Bajpayee recalls how “it all clashed,” despite which, he survived 25 years in the rubble, and eventually made a name for himself. Bajpayee assured that he is now doing “what (he) always wanted to do.”

He concluded, “I am trying to evolve as an actor and person all the time, learning new tricks of the craft, honing my skills and trying to be a part of new storytelling. This is what I have always done and what I am doing right now. I am quite happy that by the grace of God, my journey has been miraculous. I survived all the politics, the blind items, all kinds of powerful opposition, and I am here. And I will be here till I would like to be. I am a tough nut to crack.”
Bajpayee will be seen next in Rensil D’Silva’s Dial 100.