Known for his intense, layered performances, Manoj Bajpayee is currently in the spotlight for his film Governor. Amid that buzz, the actor revisited an old chapter from his career that he says perfectly captures the honesty and big-heartedness of legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra. The story goes back to the 2004 romantic drama 'Veer-Zaara', which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji, and in which Manoj appeared in a special cameo.
He Said Yes Before Hearing the Script
Speaking on Shekhar Suman's chat show 'Shekhar Tonight', Manoj admitted he agreed to the film without even knowing the full story. All that mattered to him was the chance to work under Yash Chopra's direction — an opportunity he was not willing to let slip away under any circumstances.
It all began with Manoj's film 'Pinjar'. His work in that movie left such a strong impression on Yash Chopra that the director reached out to him personally. Recalling that moment, the actor said, 'Yash ji called me and said that after watching Pinjar, he was completely convinced that no one but me could play that character.'
For Manoj, that trust was enough. He told the director simply, 'Just tell me when to come and what my character is, and I'll prepare myself. I only wanted to work under Yash Chopra's direction.' Even so, Yash Chopra insisted that Manoj listen to the entire story, after which Aditya Chopra walked him through every scene in detail.
'I Don't Make Films for Actors Like You'
After hearing the script, Manoj light-heartedly asked Yash Chopra to consider him for a bigger role in the future. According to the actor, the director's reply was strikingly honest and direct. As Manoj recounted, 'Yash ji smiled and said, son, I don't really make films for actors like you.'
Yash Chopra went on to explain that the masala and commercial films he made were the kind of roles a serious performer like Manoj would rarely want to take on. That candid, no-frills honesty is exactly what touched Manoj. Praising the filmmaker, he said, 'He never made me a false promise. That honesty of his is what I liked the most.'
He Refused a Fee — and Still Got a Lead Actor's Cheque
Manoj had initially refused to accept any fee for the role. He recalled, 'I had clearly told Yash ji that I wouldn't take money for this work. But he didn't listen to a word I said.' The director was adamant about paying him, and the cheque he eventually sent matched exactly what Manoj was charging as a lead actor at the time.
Summing up the experience, Manoj said, 'Yash ji told me he would pay me in full, and believe me, he gave me a fee equal to a lead actor's. My experience of working with Yash Chopra saab was truly wonderful.'
