MANOJ BAJPAYEE interviewed in Hindi by RAJEEV SHARMA, South Asia Times (SAT), Melbourne, 22 May 2023 on the eve of the release of his new movie ‘‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ at Zee5 Global on 23 May 2023. (The interview is in Hindi).
Translated English text of the interview by Neeraj Nanda:
INTRO – South Asia Times today interviews prominent Indian film industry actor Manoj Bajpayee, on the occasion of the release of his new movie ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ at Zee5 Global on 23 May 2023.
Q1 – Manoj tell us about this movie.
A1 – This is the story of a lawyer who stands with a sexually abused 15-16 year old girl to get her justice. The story takes place in 4-5 years and the lawyer stand with the girl and her parents without any fees. This puts him and his family’s life in danger, as the accused is a powerful person.
Q2 – Is P. C. Solanki the same lawyer who put Assaram Bapu in prison?
A2 – P. C. Solanki and other issues have been use din the movie.
Q3 – The dharmaguru character played by Surya Mohan Kulshrestha and you are in the same frame. Can you tell us about it?
A3 – Kulshrestha is from theatre in Lucknow and comes to Mumbai whenever he gets work. He is an excellent artist. He lives in his character and is a sober person.
Q4 – You have said you try to complete a movie in 40 days. This movie’s script took a long time to finish. Why?
A4 – 35-40 days takes to shoot. Starting from research and screenplay takes more than a year. Then post production takes 6 to 8 months.
Q5 – You suggested the name of Director Apoorv Singh Karki?
A5 – The producer narrated me the story and I approved it, and agreed to do with with a good director. Apoorv Singh Karki is excellent. This was his first movie, but does not look like. Critics have liked it and people will see it.
Q6 – You get involved with your characters. Tell us about ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’.
A6 – The court arguments scenes are interesting and the scenes where I recite a poem with my mother, the har har mahadev moment scene are also interesting. The monologue in the concluding statement was incredible.
Q7 – The monologue was 6 pages long.
A7 – It was more than that. It started and was never ending. It was not easy.
Q8 – You drove a scooter again in this movie.
A8 – Yes. But in Family Man it was a small vehicle. The Family Man’s thirst session can come next year.
Thank you, Manoj.
