Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 6, 2019)

The Aligarh duo is reuniting after three years. Manoj Bajpayee who impressed as Professor Ramchandra Siras in the Hansal Mehta-directed 2016 biographical drama, now joins hands with its writer-editor Apurva Asrani for a film he will be co-producing, and which will be directed by Apurva. “It will go on the floors by the year-end with a completely bound script,” the National Award-winning actor informs Mirror.

Quiz him on his choice of director and Manoj says he has always believed that the writer-editor has the qualities to call the shots and should have changed directions a long time ago. “It’s already too late in the day but as they say, better late than never. It will be an amazing experience to be working under his direction,” he smiles.

Apurva adds that they bonded during the making of Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya and when he saw the edit, Manoj was the first person to suggest he turn director. “So, I took a tissue paper and wrote on it that he would act in my first film and paid him Re 1 as a signing amount back in 1998,” he recounts.

Prod them on their upcoming film and Manoj says that they’ve been toying with many ideas but when he suggested this one, Apurva was excited. “It’s an emotional story of a forgotten genius who’s slowly losing his mind. The film attempts to understand if compassion and faith can reverse a mental illness,” reveals the writer. When you react saying it’s the perfect role for Manoj, the actor says, “I’m so glad you think so, otherwise people only think I am good to play cops and gangsters.”

The idea of turning producer came to him a long time ago, when he hit a low, both physically and professionally, before Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti. “That’s when I realised that I couldn’t wait for people to come to me with good roles. I had to think up ideas myself and approach new filmmakers. There are three more films currently being scripted on subjects I suggested with three new directors. For this one I thought of Apurva because it’s a difficult subject and with his sensitivity and sensibility, I think he can pull it off beautifully and intelligently,” Manoj signs off.