Manoj Bajpayee on struggles with stardom post Satya success: ‘Felt like an impostor until Akshaye Khanna guided me’

Manoj Bajpayee recently opened up about his struggles with adjusting to fame and success following the blockbuster ‘Satya’. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, Satya not only redefined Manoj’s career but also left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. While the film catapulted him to nationwide fame and earned him a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, it also brought a set of challenges that Manoj wasn’t prepared for.
Speaking in an interview with Midday, Manoj revealed the initial difficulties of navigating his newfound stardom. Coming from a modest background and enduring years of struggle in the industry, the trappings of success felt alien to him. “I wasn’t comfortable with all the attention and privileges. Whenever I went to five-star hotels or sat in my car, it felt like I was intruding on someone else’s space,” he admitted.
The actor credited his co-star Akshaye Khanna for helping him embrace his achievements. “It was Akshaye who said, ‘Manoj, why are you feeling so guilty about your success? Own it.’ That conversation really knocked some sense into me,” Manoj shared. Despite this advice, he acknowledged that adjusting to stardom was a gradual process, especially since he had spent 25 years of his life outside the spotlight.
Manoj’s journey into Bollywood was far from easy. Hailing from a small town and breaking into the industry through Delhi’s theatre scene, he spent four years taking minor roles before getting his big break with Satya. Since then, he has carved a unique niche, balancing independent films with mainstream cinema across various languages.
In 2024, Manoj continued his impressive streak, starring in five diverse projects. These included The Fable, a film that premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, and the black comedy crime thriller series Killer Soup alongside Konkona Sen Sharma.
Reflecting on his evolution, Manoj admitted that while the attention still feels overwhelming, his passion for acting remains unchanged. “Success was never the goal. It’s always been about the craft for me. Everything else is secondary,” he remarked.