Manoj Bajpayee reveals why he did Tiger Shroff starrer Baaghi 2: ‘Ahmed Khan said I need this film to be a success’

Manoj Bajpayee has appeared in a few commercial masala films but the actor is largely known for his work in films like Aligarh, Gali Guleiyan, Gangs of Wasseypur, Satya which were not necessarily promoted as mainstream movies. And while Manoj’s body of work largely consists of these non-masala films, fans of the actor are always surprised when they find him in films like Satyameva Jayate and Baaghi 2. In a recent interview, the actor said that he “does not look down upon mainstream cinema” but his approach of working in these films is completely different.

In a chat with News 18, Manoj was asked what made him choose these films and the actor said that he became a part of Baaghi 2 upon director Ahmed Khan’s insistence. He recalled that it was Ahmed who choreographed the famous Satya song “Sapne Mein Milti Hai” and when he requested the actor, he said yes. “Ahmed Khan is the one who choreographed ‘Sapne mein milti hai’. We were too young; he was a little kid then. He said only one thing, ‘Manoj, just help me in making this film because I need this film to be a success.’ Coming from a friend, that one sentence was enough. And he gave me a blockbuster,” the actor recalled. Manoj said that the film turned out to be a massive hit and earned over Rs 200 crore. “I don’t think any film of mine has become a Rs 200 crore plus blockbuster,” he shared with a laugh.

Coming to Satyameva Jayate, Manoj Bajpayee said that it was a “good story” and it was producer Nikhil Advani who “insisted” that he should be a part of the film. He said, “When I look at a commercial film, I know exactly what I’m looking for – the story and emotion should be right, I should be presented well, where my name should come and how I should look on the poster. Then I completely change the method of approaching the character.” In fact, the actor said that with the budget of a film like Baaghi or Satyameva Jayate, one could make Aligarh three times over.

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Manoj added that while his satisfaction comes only from films like Aligarh, he sees these commercial films as “happy breaks”. “It’s just a happy break for me. Even in future, I will do it just to get away from this very immersive, intense process of acting,” he shared.

Manoj Bajpayee was last seen in Rahul V Chittella’s Gulmohar.