Bollywood

BOLLYWOOD: MANOJ BAJPAYEE’S BATTLE WITH BOLLYWOOD

by Monojit Lahiri February 2 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins, 19 secs

"Directors can't think of me in rich guy roles," says Manoj Bajpayee. Monojit Lahri examines the implications of this statement by the gifted actor and whether Bollywood limits hum to gritty roles when he’s ready for more.

Manoj Bajpayee, one of India's most versatile actors, recently expressed frustration over being typecast in Bollywood as someone unsuitable for glamorous, star-studded roles. Despite his powerful performances in critically acclaimed films like Satya, Shool, and Aligarh, mainstream cinema continues to relegate him to characters set in rural or middle-class backdrops. Bajpayee's lament reflects the industry's deep-seated divide between "stars" and "actors," where physical appearance often outweighs talent. This article explores Bajpayee's career, his thoughts on the industry's lack of insight, and how platforms like OTT have become his playground for authentic storytelling.  

The Eternal Divide: Stars vs. Actors

The legendary Lord Laurence Olivier, known for his mastery on the British stage and in films like Rebecca and Wuthering Heights, once famously remarked that both stars and actors harbour deep, secret regrets. Stars privately yearn for the critical acclaim and respect that actors receive from critics and intellectuals, while actors envy the frenzied adoration that stars attract. Stars often dismiss actors’ work as obscure and indulgent, while actors view stardom as shallow, catering only to the senses but doing little for the heart or mind. This dichotomy has existed across generations and industries.

In my fifty years as a media commentator, I have met numerous stars and actors. Very few are honest about their priorities. Naseeruddin Shah, a celebrated figure in arthouse cinema, openly admitted that his strengths lay in performance and character-driven roles rather than competing with stars like Shammi Kapoor or Rajesh Khanna. Similarly, actors like Om Puri and Pankaj Kapoor embraced realism. On the other hand, stars such as Shatrughan Sinha and Rajesh Khanna in the '70s, or Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in the '90s, had little interest in exploring complex human stories often labelled as "art-house" cinema.

Bajpayee's Lament: Typecasting in Bollywood

Fast-forward to 2025, and Manoj Bajpayee's recent complaint echoes similar frustrations. He recounted an incident where a producer-director explained why he was never cast opposite glamorous A-list heroines or in exotic locales. The response was blunt: such roles and settings were reserved for stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Hrithik Roshan. Bajpayee and actors like him were seen as better suited to Tier-2 cities and rustic backdrops.

This perception, as harsh as it seems, reflects Bollywood’s emphasis on visual appeal. Audiences of commercial cinema expect handsome heroes and glamorous heroines in grand settings. Even in Yash Chopra’s Veer-Zaara, Bajpayee’s role remains overshadowed by Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukerji. Similarly, in Shyam Benegal’s Zubeida, Bajpayee’s portrayal was criticized as a misfit, with the film itself being regarded as one of Benegal’s lesser works.

Bajpayee’s remark that the industry lacks insight may stem from his frustration over being excluded from star-studded projects. However, like Naseeruddin Shah, he may need to accept that his strengths lie in serious cinema and OTT platforms, where he has excelled with films like Satya, Shool, Aligarh, and Gulmohar.  

Reality Check: Understanding the Bollywood Hierarchy

In Bollywood, perception is often reality. Casting decisions are influenced by both appearance and audience expectations. Few actors, like Balraj Sahni and Sanjeev Kumar, have managed to straddle both serious and commercial cinema successfully. Bajpayee’s persona is best suited for roles that resonate with middle-class and lower-middle-class audiences.

As Olivier suggested, actors seldom achieve stardom. It is difficult to imagine Bajpayee dancing with Katrina Kaif or embracing Deepika Padukone in an exotic location. The idea may seem absurd today, but in these unpredictable times, a visionary filmmaker might just surprise us all with a cinematic magic trick! Until then, Bajpayee’s talent will continue to shine where it is most appreciated—in powerful, meaningful storytelling.