After more than three decades in the film industry, Manoj Bajpayee continues to explore new creative avenues. Having recently appeared in the indie film Jugnuma and the satire comedy Inspector Zende, the National Award-winning actor is now gearing up to reprise his much-loved role of Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man 3. Yet, despite his vast body of work, there remains one area he is eager to try acting in a VFX-heavy film.
“I would love to act in a VFX-heavy film because I really don’t know how to act in front of a green screen,” Manoj shared. “Many people tell me that it’s quite a challenge and quite a technique. I’ve never done it except for small documentary shoots, so it would be something very interesting.”
Filmmaker Om Raut, who produced Inspector Zende and is known for his larger-than-life visual spectacles such as Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero and Adipurush, had recently expressed his desire to direct Bajpayee.
The actor admitted with a laugh that he often sits with Raut asking for a role in his next project. “I’m a struggler and have no shame about it. I’m always hustling for a great role with a fine director like him,” he said, adding that Raut could still change his mind since “he lives in Bandra and has too many actors in his neighborhood.”
When asked about his repeated portrayals of cops and secret agents, Bajpayee clarified that it isn’t the uniform that attracts him, but the complexity behind the person wearing it. He explained that he’s drawn to understanding where a character comes from and what has shaped their life, rather than their external image.
With The Family Man 3 approaching release and talks of a collaboration with Om Raut potentially on the horizon, Manoj Bajpayee continues to prove that his hunger for new challenges and layered characters remains as strong as ever.
