-Lokesh Chandra

Veteran Hindi cinema actor Manoj Bajpayee, regarded among the finest performers in Indian cinema, has portrayed several memorable characters over his three-decade-long career. This time, he will be seen in the upcoming film Governor, in which he plays the role of former Reserve Bank of India Governor S. Venkitaramanan. Scheduled for release on June 12, the film is based on the 1991 economic crisis and the key decisions taken during that period.

In an extensive conversation, Bajpayee discussed his role, preparation, filmmaking approach, economics, awards, and box office expectations.

On the boldness of S. Venkitaramanan’s decisions

Bajpayee described the decisions taken during the crisis as not merely bold but truly courageous. He said the governor understood that conventional economic measures would not work in the prevailing circumstances. According to him, just as a family may use its savings in a crisis, the same principle was applied at a national level. Such decisions, he noted, are never easy, but circumstances often compel leaders to take risks.

On political support during the crisis

He acknowledged that securing political support at the time was extremely difficult. Pledging the country’s gold reserves was not only an economic decision but also an emotional one. Preparing both the public and political leadership for such a step was challenging. However, given the severity of the crisis, the decision ultimately played a crucial role in stabilizing the economy.

On language and performance preparation

Bajpayee said that shaping the character’s speech and linguistic style was one of the most challenging aspects. The portrayal had to reflect a South Indian origin while maintaining the sophistication of a senior bureaucrat. The dialect could neither be too distinct to alienate audiences nor too neutral to erase the character’s identity. Achieving this balance required significant effort.

On research and preparation

He explained that preparation is an ongoing process involving research, discussions, reading, and viewing archival material. Since he is not trained in economics, understanding the subject required dedicated time. He also worked extensively on body language and mental state, which he believes are essential for making a character believable.

On remaining roles to explore

Bajpayee said he continues to see every person he encounters as a potential character, as everyone has a story to tell. He believes one lifetime is not enough to portray all such narratives, though he feels satisfied with his constant effort to explore diverse roles.

On director Chinmay Mandlekar’s involvement

He recalled that the script was offered to him several years ago, though he initially questioned how a subject like economics could be effectively translated into cinema. He later suggested the name of director Chinmay Mandlekar, who spent months researching the subject and working with writers to refine the screenplay. After viewing the initial footage, the team’s confidence strengthened significantly.

On films and responsibility

Bajpayee said he does not view storytelling as a responsibility but rather a creative choice. According to him, audiences connect most strongly with authentic narratives. Whether comedy or serious drama, if a story reflects truth, viewers are able to emotionally engage with it.

On performance pressure

He stated that his focus always remains on his own performance. His constant challenge is to ensure that he does not repeat himself and continues to do justice to each character with sincerity.

On audience understanding of economics

Bajpayee noted that while audiences may not grasp technical economic terms, they will understand how decisions made behind the scenes affect everyday lives. Many aspects of daily existence, he said, are shaped by such policy decisions.

On the 2024 return of gold reserves

He described such governmental decisions as routine over time, but emphasized that the film centers on a historic moment when bold economic action helped pull the country out of crisis and laid the foundation for long-term reforms.

On actor-director collaboration

He said working with an actor-turned-director is advantageous because such individuals better understand the challenges faced by performers. Mandlekar’s experience as an actor helped streamline communication and improved the overall process.

On choosing projects like Despatch

He said he chose Despatch because it is a strong film with powerful characters and a compelling narrative—elements that matter most to him.

On awards and recognition

Bajpayee remarked that awards are enjoyable for a brief moment but quickly lose significance afterward. During shooting, only the character and preparation matter, not external recognition.

On message to audiences

He said box office numbers do not influence him. What matters most is that the story and character are presented with honesty and authenticity. If audiences leave the theatre feeling something and take away a meaningful experience, that, he said, is the true success of cinema.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar