Description
Manoj Bajpayee gets candid about his film Last Man in Tower, based on Aravind Adiga’s acclaimed novel, and his portrayal of Masterji, a principled man caught between changing times and materialistic greed. In this conversation with Filmfare, the actor discusses the film’s central themes, why he believes the story will reach a wider audience with its OTT release and more.
Reflecting on his early years in Mumbai, Manoj recalls sharing a room in a chawl with Saurabh Shukla, the sense of community they experienced and the city that gave him his career, family and recognition. He also talks about what makes Mumbai’s work culture special, why he believes only a fraction of his acting potential has been explored, and the kind of complex roles that continue to excite him.
The actor shares his views on the changing landscape of Hindi cinema, the need for stronger mainstream stories and original music, and why he believes the term Bollywood has made the industry lose its identity. He also discusses OTT’s impact on theatrical releases, why families need to return to cinemas, and the portrayal of violent, alpha-male characters on screen.
In a rapid-fire round, Manoj Bajpayee recommends performances by Dilip Kumar, Balraj Sahni, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and others that aspiring actors should watch. He also reveals his comfort film, the films from his own career he believes deserved more recognition, a recent film that impressed him, and the role that offers a glimpse into his personality.
Watch the full interview for Manoj Bajpayee’s thoughts on acting, cinema, Mumbai, Last Man in Tower and much more.
#LastManInTower