Manoj Bajpayee on guilt of leaving parents behind in pursuit of stardom
Synopsis
A resurfaced clip of Manoj Bajpayee speaking to Mahesh Bhatt is making the rounds again — and it hits harder now than it did before. The National Award winner admitted he never spent more than 10 days with his mother in 20 years, a guilt he carried even as he collected awards. His mother Geeta Devi, whose sharp wit he lovingly recalled, passed away in December 2022.
Key Takeaways
Manoj Bajpayee admitted he never spent more than 10 days with his mother in 20 years of his career.
A resurfaced video from a conversation with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt captures his candid confession about parental guilt.
His mother, Geeta Devi , was a homemaker and a central source of emotional strength throughout his life.
Geeta Devi passed away on 8 December 2022 at the age of 80 , after about 20 days of illness.
Her death came roughly a year after Bajpayee lost his father in 2021 .
National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee once opened up about a profound guilt that shadowed him through much of his rise to fame — the guilt of having spent precious little time with his parents, particularly his mother, while chasing his dream of becoming an actor.
The Confession That Resurfaced
An old clip from a candid conversation between Manoj Bajpayee and veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has re-emerged online, drawing renewed attention to the actor's deeply personal reflections. In the video, Bajpayee speaks with rare vulnerability about the emotional cost of ambition.
'The biggest thing that I gave up, which you will relate to a lot, that is with my parents, especially with my mother. In this entire 20 years, I have never spent more than 10 days with her. A feeling, a strange kind of guilt is still in me, that in the race to achieve my dream, I left the company of my parents,' he said in the clip.
His Mother's Words That Stayed With Him
Bajpayee recalled a particularly moving moment when his parents visited for his first screen award ceremony. 'When I called my parents for the screen award, the first award I was getting. They had come for two days. As we were talking, on the way, she said, 'Son, remember one thing, one who has not achieved success is not a fool'. Only a mother can say this,' he said.
He also recounted a lighter exchange that carried a sharp undercurrent of wisdom. During a brief two-day visit to Delhi, he asked his mother how he looked after getting ready in the morning. Her reply: 'Son, on getting the fame and money, even a donkey looks beautiful.' The anecdote, delivered with warmth, captures the grounded perspective his mother consistently offered him.
The Bond With Geeta Devi
Bajpayee shared a close and enduring bond with his mother, Geeta Devi, a homemaker who remained a quiet pillar of strength throughout his journey from a small town to the top of Bollywood. The actor has spoken on multiple occasions about the sacrifices his parents made and the unwavering support they extended during his most difficult years in the industry.
Geeta Devi passed away on 8 December 2022 at the age of 80, after falling ill for approximately 20 days and receiving treatment at a hospital in Delhi. Her death came roughly a year after Bajpayee lost his father in 2021, making the period one of profound personal loss for the actor.
Why This Resonates
Bajpayee's candour stands apart in an industry where public figures rarely speak so openly about personal regret. His reflections touch a nerve for an entire generation of Indians who have migrated to cities in pursuit of careers, often at the cost of time with ageing parents. Notably, the clip's resurgence on the Internet suggests its emotional resonance has only deepened with time — particularly in the context of the losses he has since experienced.
As one of India's most respected actors, Bajpayee's willingness to sit with his guilt rather than rationalise it away adds a layer of authenticity that continues to connect him with audiences far beyond the screen.
Point of View
In hindsight, a kind of elegy. Indian entertainment coverage tends to celebrate the hustle and ignore its human cost; Bajpayee's candour is a corrective to that. The industry would do well to notice that his most viral moments are often his most unguarded ones — not the awards, but the admissions.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Manoj Bajpayee say about his mother in the resurfaced video?
Manoj Bajpayee said he never spent more than 10 days with his mother in 20 years of his career, describing it as a 'strange kind of guilt' that stayed with him. He also recalled two pieces of sharp, affectionate wisdom she offered him about success and fame.
Who is Manoj Bajpayee's mother Geeta Devi?
Geeta Devi was a homemaker and Manoj Bajpayee's mother, widely described by the actor as a key source of strength during his difficult journey in the film industry. She passed away on 8 December 2022 at the age of 80, after approximately 20 days of illness.
When did Manoj Bajpayee lose his parents?
Bajpayee lost his father in 2021 and his mother Geeta Devi on 8 December 2022, making it a period of significant personal grief for the actor within roughly a year.
What is the Mahesh Bhatt conversation video about?
The video features Manoj Bajpayee in a candid conversation with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, in which he speaks openly about the emotional cost of pursuing his acting dream — specifically the guilt of leaving his parents behind and spending very little time with them over two decades.
Why has the Manoj Bajpayee clip resurfaced now?
The clip has re-emerged on the Internet and is drawing renewed attention, likely because Bajpayee's words carry greater emotional weight following the deaths of both his parents. His reflections on guilt and parental sacrifice continue to resonate widely with audiences.
