In a chat with Riya Sharma, actor Manoj Bajpai shares that actors by nature are very insecure people, and that is the reason why others could have found the role of Ramchandra Siras challenging
aWhether it was playing the role of a psychopath killer in Road or Sardar Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur, actor Manoj Bajpai has always gone one step ahead and surprised everyone with his unconventional roles. In his next, Aligarh, directed by Hansal Mehta, he essays the role of Ramchandra Siras. In a chat, he shares how difficult it was to get into the shoes of the character, how no other actor could have taken the risk of doing it and about his dream role.
How different and difficult was it to play the character of Shrinivas Ramchandra SirasIJ
This was a little more difficult because this character is far more lonely and into himself. If you see the film twice or thrice, then you will see the hard work that has gone into it. It doesn’t look obvious; it does not give you a stereotypical image. He is somebody whose sexual preference is different from a heterosexual. But, I wanted to focus more on being a poet, a Marathi literature person. So, to create that mindset of a intellectual guy was far more important to me than him being a gay. I took 15-20 days of workshop, and created an atmosphere of Marathi literature in my home. There were times when two-three Marathi guys would be reciting poetry — it was only about Marathi poems, songs and literature for me. It is not that I have learnt Marathi but I wanted it to look natural — get the hang of it.
Were you apprehensive at any point to play a gay characterIJ
My DNA is not of a person who will have apprehensions once he decides. I have never been a homo-phobic person myself. So, somewhere that conviction and belief never let it occur to me of whether I should do this or notIJ After 22 years of my career, I could find and do this role which others found risky — I credit my career to it. Everyone has a fear of losing out everything that they have earned, but I think, I wasn’t worried about it.
You said in an interview that no other actor could have taken the risk of doing the role...
Anybody couldn’t have taken the risk of doing it because actors, by nature, are very insecure people. I am also insecure but very little, because I am always ready to lose everything that I have. That fearless nature of mine — it comes handy whenever I am taking tough decisions.
While acting, how careful were you not to hurt the sentiments of the gay communityIJ
You just have to be truthful. Since this role was being played by someone who is quite aware, and in favour of the existence of the gay community in our society, I am one of the many advocates of the gay community and their rights. So, the question doesn’t even arise that I would have hurt their sentiments. Philosophically and emotionally, I am with them. I just hope that they feel proud of me.
All the characters that you have played till now, you have fit in them completely. And as part of the audience, we feel that you are meant for that particular character. How do you choose your rolesIJ
Eventually, it all comes down on being that decision very organic. You just start feeling so strong about that character. That’s also an integral part of a very engaging and engrossing script. So, many elements together make one decision. You can’t really pin-point that decision. Also, the role has to look like a dream role.
Is there any dream role that you have always wanted to doIJ
I always wanted to do Hamlet but I am too old for it.
Do you think that the gap between commercial and non-commercial cinema is diminishingIJ
Commercial films will always be there and niche, independent films will always be there, too. Now, they have their own independent, parallel cinema. It is great because I didn’t want commercial films to go away. But, I personally wanted that the films that I believe in, should co-exist, so that the audience has choices. They should be the one to decide which movie they want to see and spend their money on. Earlier, these choices were not there, and that was quite frustrating.
photo Sanjeev Kumar