Gimme more!

An interview with Manoj Bajpai…

Do you ever feel that perhaps people take you too seriously, as a result of the kind of movies you’re doing?

Not at all. On the contrary, I feel I’m not being taken seriously despite the fact that I’m trying something different, and despite the fact that I’m trying to break new ground in terms of the kind of films I do and the kind of performances I’m giving. I feel there’s a total lack of appreciation from both, the film media and the film industry. I genuinely thought they would boost my morale and encourage me, but now I feel like I’m fighting a lonely battle, because nobody will support me. I guess it’s going to take at least another two or three years doing the kind of movies that I believe in — and hopefully, proving my point doing that — before I can win over these people.

What do you think went wrong with your last film, Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar, which simply sank without a trace?

Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar is very European in its structure, but still very mainstream, because it had songs, dances, comedy and fights. By doing such films, I’m daring to fail, and I want people to appreciate the effort and the approach, more than a film’s box-office collections. If Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar fetches even 40 or 50 per cent collections on its first day, then that is success for me. I feel the film should be appreciated more than Manoj Bajpai. I don’t want people to be complimenting me all the time. Don’t build me up as the next big thing, just appreciate and encourage me for what I’m trying to do.

Kaun and Shool were average grossers. Now Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar has failed completely. Has this scenario prompted you to rethink your strategy at all?

For me, it’s very important to have one box-office hit film in a year, so that I can do at least three films of "my kind". I’m very comfortable doing the song and dance routine, even drama… It doesn’t take much anyway. Look, it’s very easy for me to accept only the usual kind of movies, take the money and go home. But why do only easy stuff? My adrenaline gets pumped when I’m walking the edge, when I’m somewhere risking my entire popularity even at the cost of being billed overdramatic. If I slowly see realism coming into mainstream cinema, I’ll feel proud that I somewhere contributed to that.

Perhaps just for variety, would you ever like to do a mindless comedy with David Dhawan?

I’ve approached David Dhawan several times. He promised me he’d give me a role sometime, but he’s never called. In fact, everytime I meet him, I ask for work. You have to understand, I have no problems with movies like that. I grew up watching Amitabh Bachchan movies. Zanjeer left a big impact on me, I’ve seen Ek Duje Ke Liye some 15 times… I think it’s very important for me to do what I’ve always wanted to do. At the same time, I think it’s important for me to contribute to the growth of cinema.

Do you have enough to do in a woman-centric film like Zubeidaa where Karisma Kapoor and Rekha have the plum parts?

It’s true that Zubeidaa is Karisma’s story, it’s about her struggle. But my role has great substance too. I might just surprise you with my performance in that film — there’s no angry screaming and shouting, no fighting, none of the things that you generally associate with me. It’s a very challenging role. At a party recently, Shyam Benegal complimented me on my performance in Zubeidaa, and that for me, is my achievement on that film. I feel I’ve fulfilled my responsibility to him. I have to admit, I don’t mind if the heroine is the protagonist of the film, as long as I’m excited about my role too.

What is it that excites you about your job when you wake up each morning?

When I wake up, I should be excitedly nervous for the work I have to do that day. If I have to do the same thing on the set each day, I’ll get bored, I’ll put on weight, and eventually, I will fail. I guess that’s why I’m very suicidal when it comes to choosing films. After all, I have to work on that film for many months, and it has to make me want to go to work each morning.

You seem to have become a victim of your own image… Are you a serious person in real life?

I don’t brood all the time, I’m a very friendly person. It’s just that I’m serious about my work, and that doesn’t mean I’m a person who’s cut off from the rest of life. It upsets me when people say I should take up every offer that comes my way. It upsets me when people say I shouldn’t be so choosy. That’s very discouraging, very pathetic, because somewhere it shows their whole disinterest in the film-making business.

So what do you do when you aren’t working?

I mostly watch films on my DVD player. Sometimes, I call friends over and we party. I don’t like big parties, I feel lost at such places. Essentially, exploring new things and places with friends, is my idea of fun.

And finally, what’s the big priority in your life right now?

I have to have my own house. Money is the priority right now. Most of the films I’ve done recently, I did either for very little money, or for no money at all. Since I’ve established myself, now I want people to compliment me, to give me my reward.