On the work front, Manoj Bajpayee had the chance to collaborate with Yash Chopra on the epic cross-border romance Veer Zaara. (2004). The actor admitted that he took on a minor role in the movie as Zaara’s fiancé just out of want to collaborate with the illustrious filmmaker.
The actor revealed that he barely spent four or five days filming for the movie, and that his part, Raza Sharazi, was more of a guest appearance. Manoj said that, like the rest of the cast, Yash welcomed him to the set. He even said that the sets gave him a royal welcome. When the renowned filmmaker and politician Lal Krishna Advani viewed the 2003 movie Pinjar together in Delhi, they were particularly impressed by Manoj’s performance. Then, he presented him with the part.
In conversation with Humans of Bombay, Manoj recounts about his chance to work with his old friend from the industry Shah Rukh. He averred, “Shah Rukh, I have known for many years from my days in Delhi, so it was also a chance to catch up. Because we don’t meet up, we belong to two different kinds of films and filmmaking. So, it was a chance to catch up with him and also enjoy being on the sets of Mr Yash Chopra, who had been such a magnificent, successful mainstream director for so many years.”
He continued, “We grew up watching his films! We used to chat for long, both Yash ji and me. He was very clear in telling me, ‘I don’t make films for an actor like you, so I don’t think I would have anything else in the future, but this is very good and it will be great if you agree to do it.’ He was such a humble man.”
Manoj last appeared on Disney+ Hotstar film, Gulmohar, which also starred Sharmila Tagore, Simran and Suraj Sharma. He will be also seen in Despatch and Joram this year.
