Exclusive! Manoj Bajpayee Says, “My Wife Suggested To Stay Away From Home Whenever I Do Films Like Joram"

Manoj Bajpayee is undoubtedly one of the most talented actors we have in Indian film industry. Earlier, this year, the actor impressed one and all with his fantastic performance in Sirf EK Bandaa Kaafi Hai, and now, he is busy garnering praises for his performance in Devashish Makhija's Joram.

Filmibeat interacted with Manoj Bajpayee recently and spoke to him about Joram, box office and more...

There are some wonderful comments on the trailer of the film, and audience have a lot of expectations from Joram. So, do you feel pressure about it?

No, if you go by the comments, one thing is sure that we are going to get an audience who is going to watch your film. How many more will come to theatres that only future will tell. But, definitely people are showing a lot of excitement; they have some expectations from the film.

How difficult was it to shoot with a baby?

It was not difficult for the kid, but kids have their own routine. So, the baby is dictating your shots and the pace of the shooting. It's a whole lot of different game altogether. When I read the script my biggest concern was how we are going to shoot with the baby because if I see anything about the little ones even on social media, like something wrong happening to them, it ruins my day. Acting with a baby was very difficult. It's not just about staying in a character, but one also has to be aware that there's a fragile human life in your hand, and you can't hurt her and let anything happen to her. So, it was very difficult. Sometimes I used to get lost in my performance, and then come back to my senses, and realise 'how can you do that Manoj, how can you forget that there's a baby in your hand?' So, all of those moments used to scare me quite a lot.

You are one of the best actors we have in Indian cinema. But, when you play such characters like you have done in Joram, is it difficult for you to go back home and get out of that zone?

When I am working, it's very difficult to go back to wife and kid, and be a family man. It's very difficult to be with them completely. Also, because of that what I have started doing is that whenever I am doing these kind of films, I stay out in a hotel, so they don't get disturbed by my involvement in the film. Actually, it was Shabana who suggested me that. She said that there's a little one at home and she doesn't understand that you are in that zone. When you come home, you are actually giving her expectations that her father has come home, but in reality father is somewhere else, in a completely different zone. So, it's better to stay away for those many days.

You have been in the industry for around 29 years and have been a part of hits as well as critically acclaimed films. But now, you are getting a theatrical release and when it comes to trade analysts and other people on social media, they talk about big films like this much buzz is there and other things. Now, does that make you feel a bit bad that even our film is coming, so they should talk about it?

No, it doesn't. Industry has been of this nature since a very long time. They are only talking about box office and predictions, so what they are doing it is that they are hyping it up more and more. This is required for a film which has invested around or more than 100-150 crore. So, for those kind of films, it is required. Our film is very story oriented and not box office oriented. It's a very story and character driven film. We are creating a curiosity among the audience and that we have come to know through social media and that is alright. I am somewhere very sure this film will find its audience.

Joram has hit the big screens today.