Celebrated Indian actor Manoj Bajpayee recently opened up about one of his toughest periods in his acting career, which was marked by professional disputes and public protests, shedding light on the deeply personal toll it took on him. The actor, known for his compelling performances in films like “Gangs of Wasseypur” and “Aligarh,” spoke candidly about the emotional strain he experienced during the release of the movie “Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar,” and his fallout with director Hansal Mehta.
During an intimate conversation with interviewer Siddharth Kannan, Bajpayee revealed a poignant moment when protests surrounding the film’s release reached a fever pitch, leading to an incident where protestors smeared ink on Hansal Mehta’s face. This act of hostility deeply affected Bajpayee, who confided, “I went to my bathroom and cried. It was a difficult time for all of us. My career was slipping away from me, a career which I got after a lot of hard work.”
The actor went on to discuss the turbulence that infiltrated his working relationships, recognizing how unwanted interference marred the project and strained his ties with Mehta. “Things weren’t right after that. Yes, you feel bad, but I’m not the sort of person who lets arguments affect him. What I feel bad is that Hansal had to go through all that protest and people putting ink on his face,” Bajpayee remarked, reflecting upon the protest.
This strained period was marked not just by external pressures but also by personal loss. Bajpayee spoke fondly of Hansal’s mother, who used to look after him during his early days with the director. “When his mother died, my heart was broken because she used to feed me,” Bajpayee expressed, recalling the warmth and care he received from her.
The experience taught Bajpayee a valuable lesson about the expression of emotions and the consequences of anger. While he prided himself on his strength, he admitted to reaching a breaking point, leading to confrontations that regrettably pushed people away. “The only problem I had was that my emotion was more of anger. I used to take it out in an angry way. That used to offend my friends more. If I would have cried in front of them, they would not have been offended,” he said.
Despite the tumultuous past, Bajpayee affirmed that he holds no grudges and views these episodes as part of his life’s journey, including his relationships with Mehta, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, and director Ram Gopal Varma. He recognized that the conflict and reconciliation with these significant figures in his career were integral to his growth, both professionally and personally.
Looking ahead, Manoj Bajpayee is channeling his energies into his upcoming action-thriller ‘Bhaiyya Ji,’ which is also a family collaboration, co-produced by his wife Shabana Raza Vajpayee. As he prepares for this new venture, the actor hopes to apply the lessons from his past challenges to forge ahead in his illustrious career with renewed strength and perspective.
With these revelations, Manoj Bajpayee not only continues to earn admiration for his on-screen prowess but also for his off-screen authenticity and resilience in the face of adversity. His heartfelt account serves as a testament to the often unseen struggles that accompany the cinematic journey and the importance of overcoming them with grace and humanity.
