If we talk about some of the most versatile actors Bollywood has produced over the years, Manoj Bajpayee’s name has to be there without fail. Ever since setting his foot in showbiz, the talented actor has time and again proved his exceptional acting prowess by delivering performances that have gone to etch in audiences’ minds forever.
Be it comedy, drama or action thriller, Bajpayee has mastered the art of giving nothing but his best to every genre. While an award does not really define an actor’s calibre, but winning three National Film Awards does speak volumes about the kind of outstanding performer that he is.
In a career spanning over 24 years, Bajpayee has portrayed a variety of roles. However, his performances as a Police Officer have always left a lasting impression on audiences on audience’s minds. The award-winning actor can be currently seen in Dial 100 on ZEE5, wherein he once again gets into the police uniform. As he wins rave reviews for his performance in the film, let us have a look at 5 films where Manoj Bajpayee stole the show as a Police Officer.
Dial 100 on ZEE5
The Mumbai Police Emergency Control Room receives a cryptic phone call from a distraught woman who wishes to speak with Senior Police Officer Nikhil Sood (Manoj Bajpayee) before committing suicide. Nikhil, on the other hand, has no idea that his efforts to save her, will jeopardise his own family, as dark secrets from his past threaten to destroy his present. Will he be able to put the puzzle pieces together and identify the caller, thus solving the mystery? Find out as the movie is streaming now on ZEE5.
‘Silence… Can You Hear It?’ on ZEE5
A team of special cops are investigating the mysterious murder of a high-profile victim, who is the daughter of a retired justice. The team is led by ACP Avinash Verma (Manoj Bajpayee) who now works in the narcotics division but has been brought on with a special team of serious crime officers to solve this case. The movie is streaming now on ZEE5.
Shool
In Shool, Inspector Samar (Manoj Bajpayee) is transferred to Motihari due to his honesty. He soon earns the wrath of a corrupt politician, Bachchu Yadav, who gradually becomes a threat to him and his family. The movie won a National Award in 1999 for the ‘Best Feature Film in Hindi’ category.
Special 26
Based on real-life incidents that occurred in India in 1987-88, a group of cons pose as CBI officers and conduct bogus raids to loot politicians and businessmen. When the real CBI officers, including Waseem Khan (Manoj Bajpayee) - an honest CBI officer, learn about this gang, they come up with a plan to catch them red-handed.
Satyamev Jayate
Written and directed by Milap Milan Zaveri, the movie follows a vigilante Virendra Rathod (John Abraham) who kills corrupt police officers and an honest officer (Manoj Bajpayee) is called to hunt Virendra down after the body count begins to rise.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.