Is Manoj Bajpayee Typecast in Middle-Class Roles?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Manoj Bajpayee enjoys playing relatable middle-class characters.
- Observation plays a crucial role in an actor's craft.
- His upcoming film "Inspector Zende" releases on Netflix.
- Bajpayee's experiences in theatre shaped his acting approach.
- He finds authenticity in the struggles of everyday individuals.
Mumbai, Sep 3 (NationPress) Renowned actor Manoj Bajpayee shared his thoughts on the possibility of being typecast in middle-class roles throughout his career.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Bajpayee expressed his fondness for portraying authentic, middle-class characters that strongly connect with audiences.
The 'Family Man' star mentioned that his observations of ordinary individuals lend credibility to his performances, enriching his acting journey.
While discussing this with IANS, Bajpayee stated: "I take pleasure in these roles; I enjoy embodying everyday people because I see a piece of myself in them. Each character I encounter feels familiar, as if I've encountered them in real life, documentaries, my early days in Mumbai, or during my time on the train. During our theatre days, observation was crucial for us."
Recalling a moment from his theatre experience, he remarked: "I once spoke to a director, questioning, 'We can't be observing all the time—people might eventually confront us: Why are you staring at me?' He simplified it by saying, 'Observation is integral to an actor's essence; even if you aren't fixated on someone, you're still observing. Make it a part of your character.' Thus, we actors are essentially observers of our lives and the world around us."
"Whenever I encounter a new character, I feel as though I've met them before, or their struggles resonate deeply with me. It’s truly wonderful to portray such roles," Bajpayee concluded.
On the professional front, Bajpayee is eagerly anticipating the debut of his upcoming comedy thriller, "Inspector Zende."
Directed and written by Chinmay Mandlekar, the film will showcase Bajpayee as Inspector Madhukar Zende, alongside Jim Sarbh who portrays Carl Bhojraj, inspired by the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj.
Produced by Jay Shewakramani and Om Raut, "Inspector Zende" is set to premiere on Netflix on September 5.