In a recent interview with Zoom, acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee, celebrated for his role in the film “Joram,” delved into the inspiration behind his portrayal of a “voiceless” character in the movie. During the conversation, Manoj opened up about his family dynamics, revealing a challenging period when his mother expressed a desire to end her life.
Reflecting on his family’s experience, Manoj shared, “I have seen this in my own family. My father didn’t have a voice. We are six children, and if you ask any of my siblings, they will say the same thing. My mother was the alpha female. Even in her last days, she was so independent. She hated to be dependent on anyone. She was asking my sister to give her poison so that she could die because she hated the fact that she was dependent on her children. So, I am from that family. I am brought up with that conditioning.” Manoj’s mother, Geeta Devi, passed away in 2022 due to age-related issues.
Addressing the release of “Joram” in the context of Ranbir Kapoor’s film “Animal,” Manoj shared his perspective on the prevailing obsession with box office numbers. Criticizing the impact of this fixation on the filmmaking culture, he emphasized, “I’ve always spoken against the obsession with box office. I’ve always believed that it has ruined the culture of filmmaking in our country. Numbers being thrown at people’s faces isn’t the right thing to do.”
Manoj expressed concern that this obsession has influenced the audience as well, noting how individuals now assess a film’s worth based on its box office collection. He highlighted the misconception that a film earning Rs 100 crore or more automatically qualifies as excellent and deserving of various accolades in the country.
