Ram Gopal Varma's gangster film Satya is poised for a theatrical re-release. This movie, which significantly altered Manoj Bajpayee's career trajectory, is regarded as a cult classic. In a recent discussion with Mid-Day, Bajpayee reflected on the challenges he faced in managing his newfound stardom following the release of Satya, and he mentioned how Akshaye Khanna provided him with valuable insights during that period.

Manoj Bajpayee felt uneasy with the unexpected attention that followed the release of Satya

Despite Satya's commercial and critical acclaim, which garnered him widespread recognition and the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, Manoj Bajpayee confessed that he found it challenging to cope with the abrupt fame and success. He expressed feelings of being an impostor in such circumstances, stating, “I wasn’t comfortable with all the attention and privileges. Whenever I went to five-star hotels or sat in my car, it felt like I was sitting in someone else's car.”

Akshaye Khanna's transformation in perspective

He remembered a pivotal discussion with Akshaye Khanna that altered his viewpoint: “It was Akshaye who remarked, ‘Manoj, why do you feel guilty about your achievements? Embrace them.’ That dialogue truly enlightened me. I had been away from this for such an extended period that I was unaccustomed to it. People inquire, ‘Are you at ease with the attention you are receiving?’ The answer is no; how could I be? I treat them with kindness and respect, but to expect me to feel comfortable? Absolutely not. For 25 years, I had not experienced such attention. By the time I rose to stardom, others had already been stars for around 30 years. They have no frame of reference for anything else.”

Manoj Bajpayee's professional journey

Born in a small village in Bihar, Manoj Bajpayee aspired to become an actor since childhood. He had to wait for years and take on several minor roles before landing his breakthrough with Ram Gopal Varma's Satya. Over the years, he has been part of numerous successful films like Satyameva Jayate, Baaghi 2, Special 26, Gangs of Wasseypur, and more. He has also established himself in the OTT space with acclaimed series like The Family Man and Killer Soup.

Manoj Bajpayee will entertain audiences once again as Srikant Tiwari in the new season of The Family Man. Jaideep Ahlawat will join Priyamani, Ashlesha Thakur, and Sharib Hashmi in Season 3. The series will be available on Amazon Prime Video during Diwali 2025.

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