Recently, Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee opened up as to why he’s jealous of critically acclaimed actors like Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and more. Still basking in the glory of the incredible success of his web series The Family Man season 2, the Aligarh actor revealed something that many won’t – the envy even most actors feel despite their awards, recognition and critical acclaim.
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Thanks to the advent of OTT and courageous filmmakers the classic chocolate boy or muscle man stereotype is slowly vanishing in the Indian film industry. Gone are days when looks were a priority and acting skills took backseat. Now, actors such as Pankaj Tripathi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rajkumar Rao and more, who possess a regular guy-next-door face, are being loved by the classes and masses.
“Manoj Bhaiyya…”: What Pankaj Tripathi Said About the Family Man
Pankaj Tripathi, who in the past few years have been across mediums – from memes to movies – recently lauded Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee for paving the way of many actors of his own league. The Mirzapur actor said, “Manoj Bhaiyya (Bajpai) is an example to all of us actors who came after him through the offbeat neo-realistic route. He proved that real talent will find its level. All of us like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma are here because he showed us the way.”
“Jealous” of Pankaj, Nawaz, Jaideep, Rajkumar
With such a compliment, one would assume that Bajpayee would be graceful and gracious. However, to the shock of many B-Town followers, Bajpayee in an interview said that he was “jealous” of the new-age actors such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Sacred Games), Jaideep Ahlawat (Pataal Lok) and Rajkummar Rao (Bose: Dead/Alive).
Manoj Bajpayee Clears the Air
However, he later spoke to a leading Bollywood daily and clarified saying, “I didn’t mean I envied them for their talent. Of course they are all talented and it is my good fortune that they all respect me so much. I think they are fantastic actors. But I am not jealous of any actor in the world. Because I am happy with what I have, and I want to maximize my potential before I get older.”
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“I Am Now in my 50s, Have Some Years To Go”
Claiming that the fact that his peers are younger and thus have more time, Manoj added, “They have time on their side. Success and a kind of stardom has come early to them whereas I am now in my 50s. I’ve some years to go. But I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Before the audience gets bored of me I want to do good work. These are my best years.”
Manoj Bajpayee on His Eventual Retirement
The Gangs of Wasseypur actor hinted on his eventual retirement and said, “Before the audience gets tired of me and I get tired of facing the camera I want to retire, do the things I couldn’t because of my jampacked schedules, travel to places I haven’t seen, spend time with my family, watch the films that I’ve been lining up for years. Yes, there is life beyond cinema for me. But later.”
Manoj Bajpayee VS Sunil Pal
Manoj Bajpayee recently made the buzz after he responded to an ill-worded comment with grace and style. Outspoken comedian Sunil Pal commented on the Bajpayee’s show saying it was “pornography-like” and further labelled Bajpayee as a ‘gira hua aadmi (lowest of low man). Most people would’ve sunk down to limits, but Bajpayee remained in control and in an interview remarked, “I understand people don’t have jobs. I completely understand. I have been in such a situation. But in these kinds of situations, people should meditate.”
