Manoj Bajpayee: OTT gives sidelined Bollywood actors respect and stability
Synopsis
Manoj Bajpayee argues OTT has done what mainstream Bollywood wouldn't — give overlooked actors a livelihood and genuine respect. Coming from someone who himself was undersold by big-screen cinema before The Family Man, the observation carries weight beyond a press quote.
Key Takeaways
Manoj Bajpayee said OTT platforms have given actors sidelined by mainstream Bollywood both recognition and financial comfort.
He noted that male actors who 'could not even get consumed by mainstream cinema' are now earning widespread respect on streaming.
Bajpayee's own OTT breakthrough came through Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man .
His latest film, Gajab Raat , a suspense thriller co-starring Divya Dutta , premiered on Netflix on 23 October 2026 .
The film is produced by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Ritesh Shah .
Actor Manoj Bajpayee has said that streaming platforms have become a lifeline for performers who were overlooked by mainstream Bollywood, offering them not only meaningful roles but also financial security and the recognition they long deserved. The veteran actor spoke about the shift while reflecting on the evolving entertainment landscape in Mumbai.
What Manoj Bajpayee Said About OTT
Bajpayee was candid about how the streaming boom has transformed fortunes for a generation of actors who struggled to find a foothold in big-screen cinema. 'Look at the actors who could not even get rightly consumed earlier. Male actors could not even get consumed by mainstream cinema. They are getting so much respect on OTT,' he said.
He added: 'And their lifestyle is maintained. They are finding some kind of comfort in their life because of all those roles that they have been getting.' Characterising the pace of change, Bajpayee observed: 'As a keen observer of the situation, I would say that with OTT, things have been very, very frequent.'
A Career Built on Unconventional Choices
Bajpayee's own trajectory illustrates the argument he makes. Over a career spanning three decades, he has consistently gravitated toward complex, non-mainstream characters — from the volatile gangster Bhiku Mhatre in Satya and the brooding Sardar Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur, to the quietly dignified Professor Ramchandra Siras in Aligarh and the ageing constable in Bhonsle. Each role reinforced his reputation as one of Hindi cinema's most committed character actors.
OTT Stardom: The Family Man and Beyond
On streaming, Bajpayee found a new and massive audience through his portrayal of intelligence officer Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man, a series widely credited with demonstrating that Indian OTT could sustain long-form, character-driven storytelling. The role balanced domestic comedy with high-stakes espionage, showcasing a range that purely theatrical formats rarely allowed.
Latest Release: Gajab Raat on Netflix
Bajpayee's most recent project, Gajab Raat — a suspense thriller co-starring Divya Dutta — premiered on Netflix on 23 October 2026. Produced by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Ritesh Shah, the film sees him essay the role of a police officer. The release further cements his standing as one of OTT's most bankable dramatic leads.
As the debate over theatrical versus streaming dominance continues across the Indian film industry, Bajpayee's remarks add a prominent voice to those arguing that the digital shift has democratised opportunity — at least for actors willing to embrace the format.
Point of View
Leaving a vast pool of trained performers underutilised. OTT disrupted that gatekeeping, and the data broadly supports his claim: series like The Family Man, Mirzapur, and Scam 1992 were built on exactly the actors mainstream cinema had not championed. The caveat worth raising is whether this democratisation is durable — OTT platforms are themselves consolidating, budgets are tightening, and the same star-system logic is beginning to creep into big-ticket streaming originals. The window Bajpayee describes may be narrowing even as it appears wide open.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manoj Bajpayee say about OTT and Bollywood actors?
Manoj Bajpayee said OTT platforms have given actors who were overlooked by mainstream Bollywood the chance to earn respect and maintain their livelihoods through substantial roles. He observed that male actors who previously could not find space in mainstream cinema are now receiving widespread recognition on streaming platforms.
What is Manoj Bajpayee's latest OTT project?
His latest project is Gajab Raat, a suspense thriller co-starring Divya Dutta, which premiered on Netflix on 23 October 2026. Produced by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Ritesh Shah, the film features Bajpayee as a police officer.
Which roles made Manoj Bajpayee famous in Bollywood and on OTT?
In cinema, Bajpayee is known for Bhiku Mhatre in Satya, Sardar Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur, Professor Ramchandra Siras in Aligarh, and the lead in Bhonsle. On OTT, his portrayal of intelligence officer Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man became a landmark role.
Why do OTT platforms matter for character actors in India?
OTT platforms offer longer formats and diverse storytelling that create demand for character-driven performances rather than conventional star power. According to Bajpayee, this has allowed actors who were structurally excluded from mainstream film casting to build sustainable careers and gain public recognition.
Who directed and produced Gajab Raat?
Gajab Raat was directed by Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey. The suspense thriller premiered on Netflix on 23 October 2026 and stars Manoj Bajpayee alongside Divya Dutta.
