Manoj Bajpayee Says Sanjay Leela Bhansali 'Doesn't Need Actors Like Him' After Turning Down Devdas

Manoj Bajpayee has played different characters in various genres and proved his mettle as a versatile actor. Though he currently one of the most sought after actors in the industry, his journey was not easy. In a recent interaction, he expressed his desire to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but jokingly also said that the filmmaker may not cast him.

Manoj Bajpayee on working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali

In an interaction with Radio Nasha, Manoj Bajpayee said, “I couldn’t work with Gulzar sahab. I wanted to work with Govind Nihalani for a film like Satya or Aakrosh, but I entered the industry at a time when these people were in the last leg of their careers. However, I did get to work with Shyam Benegal in Zubeidaa."

He further said, “Sanjay Leela Bhansali, par zyadatar filmein voh jo banate hain, mere jaise actors ki zarurat hoti nahi hai vahan. Mujhe kya khubsurat dekha lega woh? Sanjay ke pass kuch hoga nahi dikhane ke liye.”

Manoj Bajpayee regrets turning down offer from Sanjay Leela Bhansali

In an interview with Sushant Sinha on YouTube, Manoj Bajpayee was asked if he ever rejected any offer and later regretted the same. He said, “Yes, I was offered Jackie Shroff’s role in Devdas, but I immediately said no. I told Sanjay, ‘Sanjay, yaar, meri toh hamesha se ichchha thi Devdas karne ki. That film became a superhit, but I have regrets about letting it go. I’d wanted to play Devdas since my theatre days, ever since I’d watched Dilip Kumar’s film, or read the book. But I never felt bad.”

Manoj Bajpayee' rise to fame

Manoj Bajpayee rose to fame after starring as dacoit Man Singh in Bandit Queen. Since then he has starred in several popular films including Zubeidaa, Special 26, Shootout At Wadala, Gangs of Wasseypur, Aiyyary and Naam Shabana. He has starred in shows including Killer Soup, The Family Man among others.