- Wednesday, January 15, 2025
His farmer father had limited resources to support his ambitions, but Bajpayee moved to Delhi at 17, pursued theatre alongside college, and eventually landed in Mumbai
By: India Weekly
MANOJ BAJPAYEE credits his success in Bollywood to being “intelligently stubborn,” a quality he believes is essential to overcome the challenges that life throws at dreamers.
Reflecting on his journey from Belwa, a small village in Bihar, to becoming a celebrated actor in Indian cinema, Bajpayee said, “Circumstances and situations challenge you at every moment and make you doubt yourself.”
After his breakout role as Bhiku Mhatre in the 1998 film “Satya”, Bajpayee’s career took off. The role, which remains iconic in Indian cinema, transformed his life and inspired many from his home state to step beyond their comfort zones and strive for success.
“I was told that not just my village, district, but many young people from the state left their homes after ‘Satya’. It gave them the courage to explore vistas beyond home,” he said.
Bajpayee’s career spans three decades with acclaimed performances in films like “Shool”, “Gangs of Wasseypur”, and “Aligarh”.
He has also made a successful transition to digital platforms with projects like “The Family Man”, which is now gearing up for its third season. His upcoming film, “Despatch”, releases on ZEE5 on December 13, where he plays an investigative journalist.
Recalling his initial struggles, Bajpayee shared how his farmer father had limited resources to support his ambitions.
Despite this, he moved to Delhi at 17, pursued theatre alongside college, and eventually landed in Mumbai. “You have to be audacious. I understood the circumstances and did not let them deter me,” he said.
Bajpayee’s casting in “Satya” came after an audition for Ram Gopal Varma’s “Daud”. Though he initially wanted a small role, Varma insisted on reserving him for the lead in his next project.
“Ramu told me, ‘Don’t do this role. I am making my next, and you will be the main lead in that’,” Bajpayee recounted.
From Belwa to Bollywood, Bajpayee’s journey underscores the power of perseverance and self-belief.
