Set off Warning: This text incorporates references to suicide.
Meet the actor who comes from a farmer’s household. His father needed him to change into a physician, however he pursued a unique path and even faked making ready for the UPSC exams. At one level, he battled suicidal ideas. He started his profession with cleaning soap operas, and Salman Khan as soon as gave up an award for him. At this time, he’s among the many highest-paid actors on OTT and can subsequent be seen in The Household Man 3. If you happen to haven’t guessed but, it’s none aside from Manoj Bajpayee.
Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee’s journey from a farmer’s son in Bihar to certainly one of India’s most celebrated actors is a testomony to resilience, deception, and unwavering ardour. Born in a small village, he grew up in a household the place schooling was a wrestle because of monetary constraints. His father dreamed of seeing him change into a physician, however Manoj had another plans.
Whereas talking on Aap Ki Adalat, Manoj admitted that to flee an undesirable profession in drugs, he deliberately marked incorrect solutions in his medical entrance examination. He stated, “So, for the inquiries to which I knew the solutions, I might cover my face and mark something. I did that in order that I don’t give the precise solutions, else I should change into a physician aur actor banne se reh jaunga.”
However that was just the start of his elaborate scheme. Determined to achieve Delhi, he faked about making ready for the UPSC examination. The actor advised Aajtak, “I made up my thoughts that I can’t inform my dad and mom and as a substitute, inform them that I’ll do Arts from Delhi College and put together for UPSC and attempt to change into an SP collector. I made them dream of this they usually, being so harmless, agreed. I fooled them and got here to Delhi.”
Nonetheless, his goals had been met with repeated rejection. The Gangs of Wasseypur actor was rejected thrice by NSD. The devastation was so extreme that he had suicidal ideas, a darkish part he revealed to People of Bombay. He shared, “I used to be near committing suicide, so my pals would sleep subsequent to me and never go away me alone.”
With no formal coaching, Manoj turned to theatre, ultimately catching the eye of performing coach Barry John, who not solely mentored him but in addition employed him as an assistant. After yet one more failed NSD try, the establishment provided him a instructing place as a substitute.
His preliminary years in Mumbai had been equally harsh. The Household Man actor lived in a chawl and took up minor roles in movies like Bandit Queen and Drohkaal. Then got here a turning level Mahesh Bhatt gave him a break in tv, providing him a task within the cleaning soap opera Swabhimaan. It wasn’t a lot, however it stored him afloat.
The true breakthrough arrived with Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya (1998). His portrayal of the hot-headed gangster Bhiku Mhatre was so compelling that even Salman Khan, upon profitable Finest Supporting Actor at an awards present, declared that Bajpayee was the true deserving winner.
In an unique interview with Pinkvilla, Manoj shared, “Jab naam announce hua tha toh jitne log the waha pe sab naraaz hogaye the. Log khade ho kar chilla re the ‘Bhiku Mhatre’.” (When the title was introduced, all of the individuals there have been offended, and other people had been standing up and shouting ‘Bhiku Mhatre’ (Manoj’s character in Satya).
He added, “It was very gracious of Salman Khan ki wo stage pe gaye aur unhone bola ki ‘pata nai mujhe kyun diya, yeh deserve toh Manoj karta hai.” (It was very gracious of Salman Khan to go on stage and say that I do not know why it was given to me, Manoj deserves it).
From Shool, Pinjar, and Raajneeti to his iconic position in Gangs of Wasseypur, he constructed a repute for taking part in intense, layered characters. Movies like Aligarh and Particular 26 additional cemented his standing as a powerhouse performer.
His flip as Srikant Tiwari in The Household Man (2019) made him a digital-age icon. Since then, hits like Gulmohar, Killer Soup, and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai have made him one of many highest-paid actors on streaming platforms.
From faking a UPSC dream to rewriting the principles of Indian performing, Manoj Bajpayee’s life is nothing in need of a gripping screenplay.
Disclaimer: If you already know somebody who’s having suicidal ideas, nervousness, going by way of despair, or is affected by a critical psychological sickness, attain out to a close-by physician, psychological well being professional, or an NGO for instant assist. There are a number of helplines out there for a similar.
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Manoj Bajpayee reveals he used to ‘starve all day’ and was chased away by manufacturing individuals in his early profession days: ‘It was hell’