- Friday, January 24, 2025
The versatile actor feels his commitment to observing everyday life has shaped his career spanning over 30 years
By: shajil kumar
ACTOR Manoj Bajpayee emphasised the importance of staying close to the public to create authentic characters, saying an actor must be as inconspicuous as a “fly on the wall.”
Speaking at a masterclass at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Thursday, Bajpayee shared how his commitment to observing everyday life has shaped his career spanning over 30 years.
“I feel selfies enter into my private space; nowadays even my wife is not that close to me. On a serious note, if I’m going to keep my car windows black, how am I going to be close to the people? How am I going to understand what they are going through?” he said.
Bajpayee, known for his performances in films such as “Satya” and “Gangs of Wasseypur” as well as the OTT series “The Family Man”, said avoiding stardom has helped him stay rooted. “Stardom is about mystery and glamour. I was only chasing roles,” he said.
Citing the 2017 psychological drama “Gali Guleiyan” as his most challenging role, Bajpayee noted the importance of drawing inspiration from real-life experiences.
“You can’t do it if you’re away from the people… I would like to travel in a metro or a local train and just see those people celebrating life even in that miserable condition,” he said.
Bajpayee’s latest film, “Despatch”, directed by Kanu Behl, premiered at IFFI and will debut on ZEE5 on December 13. In the film, he plays an investigative reporter in a crime drama.
