Manoj Bajpai moots film city in Bihar

Expressing pleasure over resurgence of Bihar in recent years, noted film actor Manoj Bajpai today said the state should have a film city like those in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to help the state emerge as a film destination.

"Senior actor Shatrughan Sinha and myself are ready to contribute in developing Bihar as a major destination of film like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and others," Bajpai told reporters after attending a function of local "Patliputra Film and TV Institute" here.

Asked if he was feeling bad that state artistes like him and others have not been made part of the 'Bihar Divas', Bajpai of 'Shool', 'Gang of Wasseypur' and 'Arakshan' fame, said this question should be asked to the state government.

Bollywood stars like Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Daler Mehndi have been invited for the cultural programmes on the anniversary of Bihar's foundation day. The issue of neglect of regional artistes cropped up in Legislative Assembly also by actor-legislator Vinay Bihari.

"For me my home state Bihar holds a special place and I have always tried to associate myself with it," he said.

On Supreme Court judgement on Sanjay Dutt in Mumbai blast case, Bajpai said it was painful for him and Bollywood actors.

Bajpai hailed the new trend in the Hindi film in which stories related to small town and villages were appreciated by movie watchers in cinema like 'Dabaang' and 'Gang of Vashepur.'

"Moviegoers are associating themselves with such theme and that is why such films are a big hit," Bajpai, who hails from a small village in West Champaran district bordering Nepal, said.

He said Bhojpuri films had great future.

Asked if he was feeling bad that he had not been chosen in a coming Bhojpuri film in which Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Prada, RJD President Lalu Prasad and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh are playing roles, Bajpai said "Bhojpuri is my dialect...but what can I do if the film maker did not find me fit for a role in the movie."

Hard work always pays: Manoj Bajpayee

He is one of the finest actors that Indian cinema has seen, and the intensity that he brings to his on-screen persona has to be seen to be believed. Be it the unforgettable Bhikhu Mhatre in Satya or police inspector Samar Pratap Singh in Shool, Manoj Bajpayee has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood with his power-packed performances. Whether it’s playing a prince in Zubeidaa or the sophisticated villain in Aks, he can carry off any role with effortless ease.

However, not many of his films have managed to hit the jackpot in recent years. Is it because he has always consciously tried to play unconventional and realistic roles? “I agree that almost 90 per cent of my films have seen me play roles that are different from the run-of-the-mill movies. I love doing such films. But at the same time, I have been a part of commercial films like LOC: Kargil, Bewafaa and Money Hai Toh Honey Hai. Nobody can guarantee commercial success. I just try to be a part of good projects that I believe in and make value additions to them. I am extremely proud to have won two national awards (for Satya and Pinjar). As for film critics, there are one or two whom I hold in high regard, but the rest don’t matter to me,” he avers. His future projects include Acid Factory and Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti.

Interestingly, this versatile actor was rejected thrice by the National School of Drama, but never gave up and fought on to reach where he is today. “Hard work always pays. I have done a lot of theatre too and really enjoyed the medium because it offers so much scope for an actor. Our film industry is so star-driven that it’s very difficult for an outsider to survive. Apart from hard work, you also need lady luck to smile upon you. Here, unless you don’t ensure hits, nobody runs after you. Also, it’s quite true that there are no permanent friends or foes in B-town. In fact, I keep making friends every day,” he says. Manoj doesn’t want to talk about his much-publicised spat with ace director Ram Gopal Varma. “It was a great relationship which went sour and I am over and done with it.”

Given that he hails from Belwa, a small village in Bihar, city life has been a kind of necessity with which he had to adjust accordingly. “I have kept changing my house almost every year and like anyone else, I never feel at home living so far away from my roots. But then, in today’s world, everyone needs to move out to pursue professional dreams,” he says.

Being married to Neha (his actress wife) has certainly made things better. “I feel so glad to have married my dream girl, who means the world to me,” he tells us. While he would like us to believe that he is “an extremely lazy person”, Manoj is an active blogger and even writes plays. “I use my blog to vent out my frustrations about relevant social issues that draw my attention. As for my writing skills, you never know; an idea can trigger off my instincts and see me writing a script some day!” he says before signing off.