Manoj Bajpayee on career upswing: My wife makes sure that I remain grounded

One of the finest actors in contemporary cinema, Manoj Bajpayee has carved a niche for himself through his versatile and powerhouse performances in the big screen as well as on OTT platforms. Basking in the success of his recently released Disney+ Hotstar film Gulmohar, the actor announced his next outing - ZEE5 original film Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai - on his 54th birthday (23 April). Meanwhile, the third season of his popular spy thriller series The Family Man is also gearing up for release. So, how is he taking all the appreciation and love that he has been receiving through these years? “My wife and daughter make sure that I remain grounded,” said the Padma Shri awardee. 

Manoj is married to actress Shabana Raza, who is better known by her screen name Neha. The couple have a daughter, named Awa Nayla. Speaking about his family recently, the actor told ETimes, “My wife and daughter are my paradise. Spending time with them is the biggest gift I can give to myself. The two ladies in my life make sure that I remain grounded.”

According to the Gangs of Wasseypur actor, he has never been in a better place. “It is a good life, a wonderful life. A life with minimum compromises. Luckily, I am in a position where I don’t have to do the work I don’t want to do. I am happy in my little world.”

So, does he consider being part of the Raj & DK television series a turning point in his career? “I would, for sure. It rejuvenated me as an actor and showed me the future of cinema. We can’t go on pretending that the digital platform is not a viable alternative to the movie-theatre experience. OTT is a reality and we better face it, the sooner the better.”

Also read: Gulmohar actor Manoj Bajpayee gives his take on OTT platforms taking away the 'cinema hall' charm | Exclusive

Also starring Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Neeraj Madhav, Sharib Hashmi, Dalip Tahil, Sunny Hinduja and Shreya Dhanwanthary, The Family Man follows Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man, who is secretly working as an intelligence officer for the Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell - a fictitious branch of the National Investigation Agency. 

Also read: Gulmohar actor Manoj Bajpayee: One must understand the spiritual side of a character