Manoj Bajpayee on how making first move led to 'Raajneeti', 'Wasseypur' and 'Special 26'

NewsentertainmenthindibollywoodManoj Bajpayee on how making the first move led to 'Raajneeti', 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' and 'Special 26': 'I saw some lows, refused films and wasn't happy' Manoj Bajpayee on how making the first move led to 'Raajneeti', 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' and 'Special 26': 'I saw some lows, refused films and wasn't happy' TOI Entertainment Desk / etimes.in / Oct 28, 2026, 18:52 IST Manoj Bajpayee on how making the first move led to 'Raajneeti', 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' and 'Special 26': 'I saw some lows, refused films and wasn't happy' Manoj Bajpayee is spending his days calling younger directors, hoping to be part of their stories and begin a new chapter that makes him feel “alive”.

The ‘Satya’ and ‘The Family Man’ actor says this habit is helping him build a filmography he can be proud of.Manoj Bajpayee’s morning routine Explaining his approach in an interview with News18, Manoj Bajpayee said, “That’s how I’m approaching my days.

Every morning I wake up and make it a point to call at least one director. It’s not a bad practice. I’m more interested in building a glorious and fascinating filmography than doing a series of films, back-to-back, in a year.

I want to feel proud of my body of work. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for directors, new and old.” Watch Manoj Bajpayee breaks silence on Ghooskhor Pandat row; reveals threats, family trolling According to the actor, this routine also gives aspiring filmmakers easier access to him.

He said, “I call them and let them know that I’m available and that I’m excited with the prospect of working with them. Sometimes, the new ones can’t find a way to reach out to me. If they hear from me first, the process becomes so much easier for them.”How the first move changed his career Taking the first step is also how Manoj got films like ‘Raajneeti’, ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’ and ‘Special 26’, which marked a major turn in his career.

Recalling the period before them, he said, “Before these films, I saw some lows. The kind of work that I wanted to do wasn’t coming my way. All I was doing was refusing films and saying no to people. And the ones I said yes to, I wasn’t happy doing those films.”The ‘A Wednesday’ connection Manoj then spoke about watching ‘A Wednesday’, which led to conversations with several filmmakers.

"That’s when I watched A Wednesday. Neeraj (Pandey) and I had met after that, and we spoke about cinema at large. He told me how he makes his films. That’s all I remember from that chat. I also remember meeting Prakash (Jha) ji at around the same time.

Anurag (Kashyap) and I were talking simultaneously. Those films started happening to me a year after those meetings," he added.More about Manoj Bajpayee On the work front, Manoj Bajpayee was recently seen in the film 'Gajab Raat'.

The film was previously titled 'Ghooskar Pandat'. However, after controversy over its title, the makers changed it. Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app. Give your child the gift of confidence!

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