In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Manoj revealed that the complexities of their working dynamic, personal struggles and misunderstandings led to heated arguments and strained their relations.
“It was a difficult time for all of us. My career was slipping away from me, a career which I got after a lot of hard work. Many other unwanted people got into the project, some because of me, some because of Hansal. Things weren’t right after that. Yes, you feel bad, but I’m not the sort of person who lets arguments affect him. But I felt bad that Hansal had to go through that whole protest,” he shared while recalling how a group of protesters tore Hansal’s clothes, vandalised his office and smeared ink on his face.
Bhaiyyaji star Manoj Bajpayee reflects on his journey; reveals some shocking career stories
Manoj expressed his regret over the fallout with Hansal stating that he has deep respect and affection for the director. He confessed, “He doesn’t know this, but when that happened, I went into my bathroom and cried. How could this happen to someone like him? His mother used to give me food whenever we would meet, because she thought that I must’ve not eaten. Only a mother can think like that.”
He blamed his anger to several rifts with fellow filmmakers including Anurag Kashyap and Ram Gopal Varma. He mentioned that a different approach could have resolved issues more effectively without outbursts. Manoj stated that he has undergone significant personal growth and holds a profound respect for Hansal, Anurag, and RGV, even if their interactions are not frequent.
Hansal Mehta had previously spoken about the challenges he faced while working with Manoj, citing instances of very bad behavior on set. However, he also acknowledged Manoj’s talent and character, stating that he’s a nice guy at heart.