Small films also deserve importance: Manoj Bajpayee

Often slotted as an intense and serious artiste, acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee is content with the co-existence of all genres in Indian cinema, but says smaller films still need to be granted the importance they deserve.

"The good thing happening nowadays is the co-existence of all kinds of genre in cinema. Whether it is completely commercial, niche or middle of the road, all kind of films are being made and most of them are finding a release. This is a fantastic co-existence,” Manoj told IANS.

He, however, he stressed that the film industry “needs to work little extra on small films”.

“Theatre owners start giving them (smaller) less importance when there is some big film coming, and this shouldn’t happen. We should be in favour of the right of small films too,” added the actor, who has starred in movies like "Zubeida" and "Pinjar" as well as ensemble cast movies like "Raajneeti", "Aarakshan" and "Gangs Of Wasseypur".

Manoj, who started his career with a television serial "Swabhimaan" and later went on to do small roles in films like "Dastak" and "Bandit Queen", got his big break in the 1998 crime film "Satya". He even won a National Film Award for his role as Bhiku Mhatre.

He was last seen in "Tevar" and is currently working on his next film titled “Traffic”, the Hindi adaptation of the eponymous critically acclaimed Malayalam blockbuster.

Based on a true life incident of organ donation, the film also features Jimmy Shergill, Bengali superstar Prosenjit, Parambrata, Divya Dutta, Kitu Gidwani and Sachin Khedekar playing pivotal roles.

The film has been directed by Rajesh Pillai, who helmed the original movie in Malayalam.

Manoj, who plays a traffic policeman in the film, says it's a unique thriller.

“It moves through a great speed and that is the quality which made me say 'yes' to this. Also, the character is something that people have never seen me playing before,” said the actor, who added that his research for the role was “either available with the director or with Google”.

Apart from his acting projects, Manoj has also co-produced a film titled “Missing”. Asked if he plans to produce a film in the near furture, he said that these are “hard jobs.”

“It's a thankless job too. At the end of the day, nobody is thankful of taking really good care of themm, so it’s a thankless job. But I enjoyed being part of the production because I like taking responsibilities and I am open about it. I have to wait for another great film,” he added.