Manoj Bajpayee at IFFI 2024: The Challenges and Passion Behind Immersing in Characters

At the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024, Manoj Bajpayee shared insights into the complexities of being an actor. He explained how challenging it is to portray another person on screen. In a conversation with Sudhir Srinivasan, he revealed that he immerses himself completely in his characters to perform authentically, often affecting his mental state. He stated, “The scars of all the characters I’ve played still remain in my mind. While playing certain roles, actors tend to become quieter and observe more. When I take on a character, I immerse myself fully, which has left a mark on my psyche, causing moodiness and a longing for silence.”

Manoj expressed his deep passion for acting and what drives him to love his craft. He said, “I enjoy it when a character keeps me awake at night. I often wake up at 4 a.m. thinking about it and feel more at ease on set than at home.” He emphasized his dedication to the craft, noting that his love for acting pushes him to explore its depths despite the challenges it brings.

Despite decades in the industry, Manoj still considers himself a learner. He shared, “Every film feels like starting anew; I feel like I know nothing. Acting fascinates me, and the more I do it, the harder it seems. Many people believe acting is simple, but portraying another person on-screen is the most difficult job.” Manoj was recently seen in the action film Bhaiyya Ji and will next appear in Kanu Behl’s Despatch, set to stream soon on ZEE5.