Manoj Bajpayee, a critically acclaimed actor known for his versatility, has shared his experiences of being typecast in certain roles despite his impressive body of work. While The Family Man brought him widespread recognition through OTT platforms, Bajpayee admits that even he hasn’t escaped the trap of stereotyping in the Indian film industry.
In a recent interaction, the National Award-winner lamented that he is often cast in roles set in middle-class and lower-middle-class stories and rarely gets the opportunity to play affluent characters.
“The only film before Gulmohar (2023) where I played a rich guy was Zubeidaa (2001),” Bajpayee revealed, crediting filmmaker Shyam Benegal for seeing beyond the typical image. Benegal believed that real maharajas didn’t look like Greek gods but appeared more ordinary, which is why he cast Bajpayee in the role.
Manoj Bajpayee also mentioned his brief role in Veer-Zaara (2004) as a Pakistani politician, a casting decision made by the legendary director Yash Chopra after watching his performance in Pinjar (2003). However, other filmmakers, according to Bajpayee, have been hesitant to cast him in roles portraying wealth.
“Bakiyon ko mujhe rich dikhaane mein dikkat hoti hai (The others have trouble depicting me as rich),” he added, emphasizing the challenges of being typecast.
Despite his ability to inhabit a wide range of characters, Bajpayee feels that many directors still struggle to envision him in high-society roles, which he attributes to the stereotyping that exists within the industry. However, with his continued success and evolving roles, it’s clear that Bajpayee is committed to challenging these perceptions.
