Manoj Bajpayee: 'I find it challenging to work in formulaic films'
Darpan News Desk IANS, 30 Mar, 2023 10:55 AM
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Actor Manoj Bajpayee has shared what motivated him to come on board the documentary 'The Vial', which is all about the development of the Covid vaccine.
The celebrated actor also talked about the kind of cinema he preferred to be a part of and how excited he is about his upcoming movie 'Banda'.
Bajpayee told IANS: "There were three reasons that inspired me to become a part of 'The Vial'. First, it was the unwavering conviction of the producers, director, and channel that impressed me. Second, the documentary aimed to shed light on the pandemic that we all have experienced, and I wanted to pay homage to the health workers, frontline workers, and scientists who worked tirelessly to develop vaccines across all regions.
"And third, I was keen to work in this field as a way of showing my support and appreciation for these individuals."
Discussing the most difficult aspect of creating this documentary, Bajpayee said: "As for me, the most challenging part was memorizing all the information and lines that were required of me as an actor and narrator. Having already worked on two documentaries, 'Secrets of Sinauli' and 'Kohinoor', I was familiar with the narration aspect, but memorizing all the necessary information was a significant challenge."
When asked if he prefers commercial cinema or independent cinema, Bajpayee elaborated: "I don't prefer one over the other. For me, what matters most is the story. I find it challenging to work in formulaic films where I already know the beginning, middle, and end. I believe the story must be unique, and the character should be something that audiences have not seen before."
He concluded by sharing his excitement about his upcoming movie 'Banda' and said: "The film is directed by Apoorv Singh Karki. Its story is unique and inspired by true incidents. It revolves around a lawyer's journey as he fights a difficult case. It's a character that I've never played before, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
The film, which collected Rs 3.55 crore on its opening day, minted Rs 15 crore on its first Monday taking its collections to Rs 41.5 crore comfortably beating the day four collections of Alia Bhatt's recent release 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' which collected Rs 8.19 crore on Day 4, said film trade analyst Taran Adarsh.
Speaking on the sidelines of a media event on the occasion of his birthday, the 'Dil Chahta Hai' actor said: "Like a lot of people, the pandemic too gave me the time to contemplate and look back on what has happened so far in my life. I consider myself privileged to have reflected on this, it made me realize how fragile life is, how precious it is."
Along with its diverse features, the collection embraces creativity, passion and innovation in each element with a range that is appealing to the young generation of the day.
Calling the experience of working in the series a fulfilling one, she added, "Playing the character in Hotstar Specials' 'Aarya' has been a worthy and inspiring experience showcasing the relationship of a mother and of a woman who can hold the family together despite all odds."
Indian content has undergone a sea change in the past few decades where now women are not hired in films or audio - visual content purely based on pretty faces. Instead, its their ability to put up powerful performances that sets the roadmap ahead for a more just society one frame at a time.
