Manoj Bajpayee, currently reveling in the triumph of his OTT film “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai,” has candidly expressed his thoughts on the prevalent trend in Bollywood, where movies often prioritize box office numbers over other aspects.
Manoj Bajpayee’s latest OTT drama, “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai,” revolves around the real-life success story of advocate PC Solanki’s compelling argument in a rape case against self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu. Breaking away from the conventional Bollywood approach, the film opted for a direct release on an OTT platform and has since garnered immense critical acclaim and appreciation.
During an exclusive interview with DNA, Manoj Bajpayee voiced his perspective on “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai,” emphasizing that it does not adhere to the typical formulaic nature of Bollywood films. Expressing his criticism towards formula-driven filmmaking in the industry, he shared, “When we seek out formulas, we often veer off course, allowing mediocrity to seep in. Our focus on box office earnings leads us to chase these formulas. But why should we be so concerned about how many crores a film has earned? The only thing that matters is whether you personally liked the film or not. If you enjoyed it, share your positive feedback on social media. When a significant number of people express their appreciation for a film, that’s what makes it successful. Even if I were to make a terrible film that earns my producer 200 crores, I wouldn’t consider it a personal success.”
Manoj Bajpayee further highlighted the current state of the industry, pointing out that big-budget films often face disappointment while smaller films struggle to generate sufficient interest among audiences. Drawing from his recent experiences with films like “Gulmohar” and “Bandaa,” he mentioned that audiences reacted positively to both movies and felt they deserved a theatrical release. However, due to concerns over a lackluster opening and subsequent negative perception, these films were not brought to theaters. Bajpayee lamented that the focus is too often on whether a film is a commercial success, disregarding the quality of the work itself.
In addition, Bajpayee discussed the significant impact of social media on a film’s fate. Using his own filmography as an example, he recalled how “Satya” had initially received a lukewarm response at the box office but went on to achieve success through positive word of mouth. However, he noted that in today’s era of social media, people are quick to form judgments without even watching a film, leading to negative comments based on superficial aspects such as the absence of a prominent star or an actor’s appearance.
Overall, Manoj Bajpayee shed light on the challenges faced by films that deviate from the established Bollywood formula, urging audiences to focus on personal enjoyment and appreciation rather than box office numbers. He emphasized the need to reevaluate the parameters of success and consider the intrinsic value and quality of a film in a rapidly evolving industry.
