Manoj Bajpayee Says Every Character Peels Back Like An Onion, Not By Age Actor Manoj Bajpayee said at a Mumbai event that it is a character's layers and depth, not age, that truly matter on screen. He also spoke about his upcoming film 'The Last Man in Tower', releasing on September 11, 2026. National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee is currently busy promoting his upcoming film 'The Last Man in Tower', and at a recent promotional event held in Mumbai, he spoke candidly to the media about his approach to the craft of acting. Co-star Divya Dutta and director Ben Rekhi were also present alongside him at the event. When a reporter asked him about playing characters whose age advances on screen, Bajpayee made it clear that age has never been a real concern or a limitation for a genuine actor, and that it is the character's substance, rather than the number attached to it, that truly occupies his mind. It's the character's layers, not the age, that matter According to Bajpayee, actors are not actually worried about portraying a role of a particular age bracket, what genuinely occupies their mind is how many hidden layers a character holds and how far they can go in touching those layers. Drawing a comparison between characters and human beings, he said, "All characters are like onions, just like human beings." He added that uncovering those layers is an extremely difficult task that demands patience and sustained effort from the performer, and that no two characters ever peel apart in quite the same way. The backstory takes shape through the script The actor explained that every character comes with its own backstory and characterisation, both of which gradually reveal themselves while an actor is reading through the script. Several ideas naturally surface during this reading process, and the actor jots these down, using them as the foundation to construct a backstory rich with grey shades, subtle nuances and multiple emotional layers rather than a flat, one-dimensional sketch that simply serves the plot. Everything changes the moment the shoot begins Bajpayee further explained that an actor's genuine test begins only once the shoot actually starts, since events on a film set unfold in real time and cannot always be fully anticipated in advance. During this phase, small adjustments frequently become necessary, and an actor often has to modify his own method depending on what a particular scene or the film demands, because the story is truly being shaped moment by moment during the shoot itself, rather than settling into its final form on paper. Co-actors' energy unlocks fresh layers He said that the atmosphere on the set, the energy that co-actors bring, and the manner in which they inhabit their own characters all push a performer to open up further and dig deeper into their own work. The way fellow actors treat and respond to his character, he said, often sparks fresh ideas that let him add even more layers to his own performance. He believes acting is a continuous, ongoing process, and that the preparation for a role never truly comes to a halt even before the shoot begins, continuing right up to the final take. The thrill of walking an unfamiliar path Bajpayee admitted that a story frequently keeps developing alongside the shoot itself, and at times it veers into a completely fresh direction that no amount of prior preparation could have anticipated. This journey down an unfamiliar path feels frightening at first, almost like being asked to leap into a dark, unknown cave, but once an actor is actually inside that process, it starts to feel genuinely enjoyable and rewarding, turning uncertainty into one of the more exciting parts of the job. The film arrives in theatres on September 11 The same event, also attended by Divya Dutta and Ben Rekhi, revolved largely around Bajpayee's forthcoming film 'The Last Man in Tower'. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 11, 2026. What this means for you This news is mainly relevant to movie fans and followers of Manoj Bajpayee. • Mark the release date: 'The Last Man in Tower' hits theatres on September 11, 2026. Viewers who want to watch it can plan ticket bookings and show timings in advance. • Cast and crew to watch: The film stars Divya Dutta alongside Bajpayee and is directed by Ben Rekhi. Their past work can help audiences set expectations for the film. • A window into acting craft: Bajpayee's layered approach to character-building offers a useful perspective for aspiring actors or anyone curious about how a role is shaped before it reaches the screen. Questions & Answers 1. What is the name of Manoj Bajpayee's upcoming film? His upcoming film is titled 'The Last Man in Tower'. 2. When will the film release? The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 11, 2026. 3. Who else was present with Manoj Bajpayee at the event? Co-star Divya Dutta and director Ben Rekhi were also present at the event. 4. What did Manoj Bajpayee say about age on screen? He said age is never a barrier for a genuine actor, and that a character's layers and depth are what truly matter. 5. What did Manoj Bajpayee compare characters to? He compared characters to onions, saying all characters are layered just like human beings. 6. According to Manoj Bajpayee, when does a story truly take shape? According to him, a story really takes its final shape during the shoot itself. https://trendkia.com/en/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-bole-hara-kiradara-pyaza-jaisa-hota-hai-paraton-se-bhara-28479 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.