Want To Make Good Cinema Accessible, Says Manoj Bajpayee

In a landscape dominated by tentpole films and commercial blockbusters, Maj Bajpayee says his only motive is to make "good cinema accessible" to all.

actor's recent works “Despatch” and “ Fable” received positive responses at MAMI Film Festival 2024, affirming his belief that such stories can thrive alongside mainstream movies.

"For me, this is cinema (referring to independent films). Cinema is a medium of art, cinema is sound, VFX, and so many facets are ding up, and ding up t just to entertain but to delve into different stories and do it masterfully and artistically. If you want to entertain, entertain artistically,” Bajpayee told PTI.

actor said it is important to t be "too indulgent" when introducing m to a different kind of cinema.

"So, let’s make films accessible. That’s how ‘Joram’ is, that’s how ‘Despatch’ and ‘ Fable’ are. I don’t kw (if audience will come to atres) but I want that (to happen). You make films, thinking people will watch m. Accessibility is important and it is important to get more audience members attracted to good cinema. That should be motive,” Bajpayee said.

In a career spanning three deces, actor has built a filmography largely dominated by offbeat movies such as “Gulmohar”, “Gali Guleiyan”, “Joram”, “Gangs of Wasseypur”, “Rajneeti”, and “Satya” among ors.

At closing ceremony of MAMI Film Festival last evening, a Special jury prize was presented to “ Fable”.

"I was bombarded with people praising (both) films (‘Despatch’ and ‘ Fable’). It’s a beautiful feeling when people love your work, I’m still grappling with everything that is happening,” 55-year-old actor said.

Despite his achievements, Bajpayee downplays tion of bravery in his choices and says that his career is a mix of carefully curated decisions and a bit of luck.

"re was clarity in my mind as to how I wanted my career to be in films. luck factor is re, and I’m gl I’m getting those opportunities because it fulfils my desire as an actor. It’s all about choices that you make because re are a great number of films out re, and your job is to pick best one,” Bajpayee said.

“I do it because this is what I want to do, I want to dwell into all kinds of parts and do it successfully. How an audience is going to react is something I’m curious about, but I’m going to follow same rule eir way,” he ded.

“Despatch” is directed by Kanu Behl of “Titli” fame. investigative thriller, which is set in world of crime journalism, features Bajpayee in role of a journalist, who finds himself sucked into murky underbelly of business and crime.

In “ Fable”, actor plays character of Dev, who discovers mysteriously burnt trees in his sprawling estate of fruit orchards nestled in Indian Himalayas. Despite all efforts, more fires break out, eventually leing him to see himself and his family for who y truly are. film, which is a US-Indian co-production, is directed by Raam Reddy, best kwn for “Thithi”.

According to Bajpayee, his role in “Despatch” is entrenched in tangible pursuits of career and success, and in “ Fable” his character is struggling to detach from responsibilities.

"y are opposite to each or and ir search is very different,” he said.

On a query wher “Despatch” is based on or inspired by life of slain journalist J Dey, Bajpayee said character is an amalgamation of experiences and references from various industry journalists.

ditionally, fans of “ Family Man” can look forward to his much-anticipated return in third season of show, next year.

actor will reprise his role as Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man leing a double life as an intelligence officer.

"I'm always looking forward to playing Srikant Tiwari, and that feeling shows on screen and it’s only because of that I’m able to explore Srikant Tiwari in different facets. I’m excited to be back on ‘ Family Man’, and it is coming out next year.” 
--PTI--