Manoj Bajpayee shared that he is never considered for ‘high society’ roles barring a few exceptions.
Hear the name Manoj Bajpayee, and you know a power-packed performance is coming your way. With several acclaimed films and accolades including four National Awards, the man has established himself as one of the most talented performers in Indian cinema.
However, despite his impressive acting chops, Manoj feels he continues to face limitations in casting as filmmakers fail to envision him in affluent roles on screen. Barring films like Zubeidaa, Veer-Zaara and Gulmohar, the actor said that he continues to get typecast in poor and middle-class roles.
The ‘Aligarh’ actor told Bombay Times, “The only film before Gulmohar (2023) where I played a rich guy was Zubeidaa (2001). That was Shyam Benegal’s conviction. He was the one who felt that real maharajas were not Greek gods. They looked normal. In Veer-Zaara (2004), I played a politician from Pakistan. I had two scenes in it, but Yashji (Chopra) was adamant that I do it. He cast me after watching Pinjar (2003).”
He continued, “These filmmakers had that vision which stems from seeing life up close. The others have trouble depicting me as rich. The roles that I portrayed were mostly set in middle-class and lower-middle-class stories. I am never considered for high society roles. No director could think of me as a rich guy, barring the two stalwarts that I mentioned. This stereotyping exists.”
On the work front, Manoj Bajpayee had three releases this year, The Fable, Silence 2, and Bhaiya Ji. He was also seen in the Netflix show, The Killer Soup which also starred Konkona Sen Sharma. He is currently filming for the next season of Raj & DK’s The Family Man.
