Be it Srikant Tiwari of “The Family Man” or Dasru from his upcoming film “Joram”, where he plays a displaced indigenous man on the run with his infant daughter, actor Manoj Bajpayee says his empathy always lies with characters that represent the common man.
According to the National Award winner, most of his characters that have become popular with the audiences are the people that he has seen “sometimes from a distance and sometimes from close quarters”.
“I come from a lower middle class farmer’s family. I have seen things around me, I have experienced things. Whether it is Srikant Tiwari or Dasru … either I relate to them or I have seen them closely in my life.
"Even if I am not them, the empathy is always with them. And an actor starts with empathy. He is looking at the characters from a distance but with loads of empathy and without judgement,” Bajpayee told PTI in a phone interview from Mumbai.
His character in “Joram”, the actor said, is quite relevant in today’s day and age. At the centre of the film lies a world and conflict that Bajpayee said he had not seen before despite playing an array of unique characters in the last 10-15 years of his career.
“This character, the story and conflicts are fantastic. This is about the bond that human beings and the jungle share, how it is going through a change and how modernisation is affecting it,” he added.
“Joram” reunites Bajpayee with Makhija, who directed the actor in the short film “Tandav” and critically lauded “Bhonsle”, a role that led to a National Film Award for Bajpayee.
The film is slated to be screened at the ongoing International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR) on February 1.
The actor said it was a matter of pride to represent India at such a premiere film festival, which had also showcased “Bhonsle”.
Describing his collaboration with Makhija, Bajpayee said as an actor-director duo they “understand each other’s strengths”.
“I admire his ability as a writer and director. He is somebody who is emotional, but at the same time, very aware of the times. His craft is uncompromising. Without being insulting or interfering, he gives me the space to grow and evolve, which is important to me,” he added.
The actor said he has been lucky with opportunities off late and always strives to pick the best from the offers that come his way. Bajpayee said he is always looking for well-formed characters with scope for improvisation and interpretation.
Rahul V Chittella’s “Gulmohar”, also starring Sharmila Tagore; Abhishek Chaubey’s Netflix series “Soup” with Konkona Sensharma; “Banda”, produced by Vinod Bhanushali and Suparn Varma and directed by Apoorva Karki of “Aspirants” fame; Kanu Behl’s “Despatch” and Raam Reddy’s “Pahadon Mein” are some of the projects the actor is looking forward to.
“I have been lucky with the offers lately. Earlier, it used to be tough. Sitting at home and waiting for the right script or the director used to be the main chore.
"Directors like Devashish, Dipesh Jain ('Gali Guleiyan'), Rahul V Chittella, Kanu Behl and Raam Reddy, I have gone out and found them. It’s a result of me trying to find exciting directors to work with. I am so lucky that they have made films that are going to stand out in my filmography,” he said.
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.