Manoj Bajpayee: Directors didn’t consider me a rich, high society guy
Versatile Manoj Bajpayee recently opened up about how most directors look at him from a limited perspective and he is never seen as a ‘rich, high-society guy’.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee is known for playing a variety of roles. However, Manoj has not been cast as an influential and affluent man. “I have never been cast for high-society roles,” the actor revealed in a new interview.
Speaking to Bombay Times, Manoj said, “The only film before Gulmohar (2023) in which I played a rich man was Zubeidaa (2001). It was Shyam Benegal’s conviction. He was the one who realised that real maharajas were not Greek gods. They looked normal. In Veer-Zaara (2004), I played a Pakistani politician. I had two scenes in it, but Yashji (Chopra) was adamant that I do it. He cast me after watching Pinjar (2003). These filmmakers had a vision that stemmed from observing life closely.”
The actor said, “The roles I played were mostly based on middle-class and lower-middle-class stories. I was never cast for high-society roles. No director could picture me as a rich man, except the two biggies I mentioned. This stereotyping exists.”
Manoj Bajpayee is a National Award-winning actor who has appeared in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Shool, Satya, Gulmohar, Zoram and Kaun.
The actor was last seen in the commercial entertainer Bhaiya Ji.