Manoj Bajpayee Pays Tribute to Shyam Benegal: ‘He Saw Beyond My Looks’
Manoj Bajpayee Pays Tribute to Shyam Benegal: 'He Saw Beyond My Looks'
Manoj Bajpayee shared how it took the brilliance of Shyam Benegal to recognize his potential beyond his looks, leading him to play a royal character in the 2001 film Zubeidaa. Bajpayee never envisioned himself in such a role until Benegal convinced him.
Benegal, a pioneer of art house cinema in India with notable films like Mandi and Ankur, passed away in Mumbai just nine days after turning 90.
Bajpayee recounted that he met Benegal a few years after his breakout performance as Bhiku Mhatre in the 1998 crime classic Satya. He revealed, “He sent me a message through Ram Gopal Varma. And Varma told me only one thing, ‘Shyam Benegal wants to work with you. He wants to cast you in some role. I don’t know what the film is all about but you are not going to say no to anything that he offers.’ That should be our regard and respect for that filmmaker, so you are going to say yes. You are not going to say no.”
Grateful for Varma’s support, Bajpayee decided to accept whatever role Benegal offered him.
The actor initially agreed to work in Benegal’s film but was surprised to learn that he would be playing Prince Vijayendra Singh of Fatehpur alongside Karisma Kapoor.
“He had the brilliance to see beyond my appearance. He was confident that I was the right choice for the role, while I had my doubts. He showed me photos of all the kings of India and asked if I thought I was better looking than them,” the 55-year-old actor recalled.
The film Zubeidaa was a significant learning experience for Bajpayee, helping to shift public perception of his acting capabilities.
Manoj Bajpayee posted a picture with Karisma Kapoor and the legendary director from the film’s set on his X handle. Reflecting on Benegal’s passing, he expressed, “This is a heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal was not just a legend; he was a visionary who transformed storytelling and inspired many generations.”
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A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me, exposing me to his unique style of storytelling & nuanced… pic.twitter.com/EH0eosqkAR
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) December 23, 2024
He added, “Working with him on Zubeidaa was a life-changing experience, revealing his distinctive approach to storytelling and deep understanding of performances. I will always be thankful for the lessons I learned from him. It was a true honor to collaborate with him. His legacy will endure in the stories he crafted and the lives he impacted. Rest in peace, Shyam Babu. Om Shanti.”
During his career, Benegal was awarded many prestigious honors, such as the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is the highest recognition in Indian cinema.
He also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times and received the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
