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Manoj Bajpayee, one of the best and National Award winning actors of Indian cinema, has taken many tough and difficult decisions in his career behind the success he has achieved today. Manoj Bajpayee remembered his old days in famous actor and host Shekhar Suman’s talk show ‘Shekhar Tonight’.
The actor told that after the historic success of the film ‘Satya’, he had rejected offers from many big and attractive Bollywood films only because they did not match his creativity and acting ambitions. During this candid conversation, Manoj Bajpayee talked about veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra’s blockbuster film. ‘Veer-Zaara’ Also shared a very interesting and shocking anecdote related to.
Villain rejected big offers due to fear of being typecast
While talking to Shekhar Suman, Manoj Bajpayee told that after the iconic character of ‘Bhikhu Mhatre’ in ‘Satya’, he had a queue of films. But the industry wanted to bind him only in villain roles. To avoid being typecast, he kicked the money and rejected villain roles.
At the same time, very nominal fees were being paid for films with good stories in which he was genuinely interested. Despite this financial crisis and struggle, Manoj never regretted his decisions. He believes that listening to his inner voice became the strongest foundation of his successful career today.
When Yash Chopra himself called and said – ‘Will you do this role?’
Manoj Bajpayee, remembering his cameo role in ‘Veer-Zaara’, said that he has no regrets about working with legendary director Yash Chopra. He told, “Yash ji himself called me and said that there is a small cameo role in my film, will you do it? After seeing your performance in the film ‘Pinjar’, I am fully confident that no one else can play this character except you.”
Manoj Bajpayee was such a big fan of Yash Chopra that he did not even want to listen to the script of the film. Manoj had told Yash ji, “You just tell me the date when to come to the set, there is no need for a story.” However, later Aditya Chopra narrated the entire scene to him in detail.
‘Where do I make films for actors like you’ – Yash Chopra’s candid answer
Manoj Bajpayee told that when he laughingly asked Yash Chopra to keep a big role for me next time, Yash ji replied with utmost honesty and fearlessness, “Son, where do I make films for serious actors like you! And whatever big role I make, you will not do it. So, whatever role you have got, do it well.” Manoj Bajpayee liked Yash ji’s honesty that he did not give any false consolation.
Fees equal to that of a lead actor for a cameo: Manoj Bajpayee had clearly refused to take any money for this film. But Yash Chopra took care of his self-esteem. Manoj Bajpayee told, “I told Yash ji that I will not charge even a single rupee for this role, but he did not listen to me. After the completion of the film, Yash ji sent me a check of the same amount as the amount I used to take for playing the lead role in a film at that time.”
Shahrukh-Preity’s ‘Veer-Zaara’ has won the National Award
This cult romantic-drama film directed by Yash Chopra, released in 2004, proved to be an all-time blockbuster at the box office. Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee were seen in lead roles in the film. Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Divya Dutta, Boman Irani, Anupam Kher and Manoj Bajpayee breathed life into the film with their brilliant supporting roles. This film was awarded ‘Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment’ National Film Award Was also found.