Manoj Bajpayee on playing a common man in films: 'An actor always starts with empathy'

Be it Srikant Tiwari of “ Family Man” or Dasru from his upcoming film “Joram”, where he plays a displaced indigenous man on run with his infant daughter, actor Manoj Bajpayee says his empathy always lies with characters that represent common man.

According to National Award winner, most of his characters that have become popular with audiences are people that he has seen “sometimes from a distance and sometimes from close quarters”.

“I come from a lower middle-class farmer’s family. I have seen things around me, I have experienced things. Wher it is Srikant Tiwari or Dasru … eir I relate to m or I have seen m closely in my life.

"Even if I am not m, empathy is always with m. And an actor starts with empathy. He is looking at characters from a distance but with los of empathy and without judgment,” Bajpayee told PTI in a phone interview from Mumbai.

His character in “Joram”, actor said, is quite relevant in today’s day and age. At center of film lies a world and conflict that Bajpayee said he h not seen before despite playing an array of unique characters in last 10-15 years of his career.

“This character, story, and conflicts are fantastic. This is about bond that human beings and jungle share, how it is going through a change, and how modernization is affecting it,” he ded.

“Joram” reunites Bajpayee with Makhija, who directed actor in short film “Tandav” and critically lauded “Bhonsle”, a role that led to a National Film Award for Bajpayee.

film is slated to be screened at ongoing International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) on February 1.

actor said it was a matter of pride to represent India at such a premiere film festival, which h also showcased “Bhonsle”.

Describing his collaboration with Makhija, Bajpayee said as an actor-director duo y “understand each or’s strengths”.

“I mire his ability as a writer and director. He is somebody who is emotional, but at same time, very aware of times. His craft is uncompromising. Without being insulting or interfering, he gives me space to grow and evolve, which is important to me,” he ded.

actor said he has been lucky with opportunities off late and always strives to pick best from offers that come his way. Bajpayee said he is always looking for well-formed characters with scope for improvisation and interpretation.

Rahul V Chittella’s “Gulmohar”, also starring Sharmila Tagore; Abhishek Chaubey’s Netflix series “Soup” with Konkona Sensharma; “Banda”, produced by Vinod Bhanushali and Suparn Varma and directed by Apoorva Karki of “Aspirants” fame; Kanu Behl’s “Despatch” and Raam Reddy’s “Pahon Mein” are some of projects actor is looking forward to.

“I have been lucky with offers lately. Earlier, it used to be tough. Sitting at home and waiting for right script or director used to be main chore.

"Directors like Devashish, Dipesh Jain ('Gali Guleiyan'), Rahul V Chittella, Kanu Behl, and Raam Reddy, I have gone out and found m. It’s a result of my trying to find exciting directors to work with. I am so lucky that y have me films that are going to stand out in my filmography,” he said.