“My romance is also as subtle as the performances I do!”, says Manoj Bajpayee. He hails from the village of Belwa, Bihar. The journey from being rejected thrice by National School of Drama to being the ultimate mentor for all the new age actors today, he in true sense is “Mumbai ka King!”
Accepting the pain of multiple rejections, struggling to make basic ends meet and yet never ever allowing his dreams to die, he was destined to be our most beloved, ‘Family Man’. Going back in time, opening up about his theater days, his honest equation with SRK, expressing his purpose in a letter to his father and finding love at first sight.
He opened up to us about his love for acting, growing up in Bihar, overcoming failure and depression to now living his dream, through absolute hard-work and deep-rooted honesty. He was introduced as Daaku Maan Singh, loved as Bhiku Mhatre and worshiped as Sardar Khan! He expresses he is at more ease now, with opening up to new and young audiences through ‘Family Man.’
Presenting to you, the man of the moment, a National Award winner and now a Padma Shri - Mr. Manoj Bajpayee!
We talked about
- His upcoming film Gulmohar and his character Arun Batra!
- His future projects and film festivals.
- His old association with Shah Rukh Khan since Delhi Theatre Days.
- Surviving and auditioning for roles in Bombay!
- Getting an unexpected call from Mahesh Bhatt
- Hard work and surrendering to the craft completely.
- Overcoming depression and negative thoughts by
- Still seeking the lifelong dream of being in the National School of Drama!
- Finding spirituality and meditation as a way of life
- What is the purpose of life and soul?
- Learnings from his mother, father and friends who supported in his journey!
Join us as we explore the artistic journey of Manoj Bajpayee with Karishma Mehta on #HowTheHellDidIDoiT?
Time Stamps
00:00 - Hazraat - Hazraat - Hazraat!
00:36 - Welcome Manoj Bhaiyaa!
1:08 - My inspiration in life
2:20 - Haathi mere Saathi
3:27 - My school days
3:55 - I did not tell my dream to anyone at all
4:45 - Train to Delhi for NSD
5:40 - Went 'Without Reservation Ticket'' in Train
6:34 - Delhi University and Street Play
7:00 - Facing rejections and dream of NSD
8:06 - Dedication towards Theatre
8:47 - Heartbroken and no Plan B
9:41 - Theatre Workshop
10:21 - I was never suicidal
10:40 - My friends paid my fees
11:15 - 364/365 attendance
11:46 - What is the solution of Rejection?
12:53 - Hard Work and Love for craft
13:29 - I'm a very stubborn guy
14:20 - Bandit Queen and Bombay
14:58 - "Where the food will come from?"
15:46 - Ask for help
16:30 - Wrote a letter to my father
16:55 - My mother..
17:51 - Bombay is very impersonal
18:50 - We were not entertained on sets
19:30 - Struggle in Bombay
20:36 - Shekhar Kapur and Mahesh Bhatt acknowledged me
22:25 - Life got a bit better financially
23:15 - It took me 3 years to earn money to go back my village
24:13 - Satya and Bhiku Mhatre
24:41 - I know my Job
25:10 - My morning’s ritual to call and ask for work
25:55 - Get up and Get Out!
26:51 - I landed 2 fantastic roles
28:04 - Veer Zara and Yash Chopra
29:21 - SRK I’ve known since Delhi
30:15 - Yash Ji told me
30:45 - I’m a subtle romantic
31:23 - I fell in love at first sight
33:55 - Anurag called at night for Gangs of Wasseypur
35:30 - In my village
36:50 - FAMILY MAN!
39:30 - I was destined to be who I am
40:51 - I have a Spiritual Guru
41:36 - Meditation is neither elite nor exclusive
42:35 - GULMOHAR!
44:11 - The pain of losing my mother and father
45:51 - I get into the skin of the character
46:41 - My film crew is like my family
48:45 - Upcoming Future Projects
51:00 - Let’s know Manoj Bhaiyaa!
52:03 - A myth about Bollywood!
52:49 - Advice for actors
53:06 - Acting is my one true love
53:50 - I simply love Vada Paav!
54:15 - My intuition was right for some roles
54:42 - My favourite co-actor
55:30 - Manoj goes into Nostalgia
56:10 - SRK came to meet me when..
57:31 - Life’s purpose and Soul Searching
58:27 - Parting Words
58:34 - Next guest!
Links:
Humans of Bombay
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Manoj Bajpayee
Instagram: bajpayee.ma...
Twitter: / bajpayeemanoj
Facebook: / spotlight.manojbajpayee
Karishma Mehta
Instagram: / karimehta05
LinkedIn: / karishma-. .
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