Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 29, 2019)

Working on the web has been quite a unique experience, admits Manoj Bajpayee, who is basking in the success of his debut web series, The Family Man. “I have been an avid audience of web shows and I am glad my journey on the digital platform had a good start,” he says.

“The show broke the clutter on the web. It was a relief to me that there are directors like Raj and DK, who are trying to make a creatively satisfying and engaging product for the audience. When you are working with good talent, you don’t think of the outcome but work on achieving the best everyday. What you see on screen was a collective effort. I got a lot of space to do things as an actor, which I only did during theatre,” states the Satyameva Jayate (2018) actor.

While being appreciated for his performance as Srikant — the middle-class man and a covert intelligence officer — felt good, Manoj reveals he got a huge surprise when he found out that now, he had a whole new audience. “What I found delightful is that 12-and 13-year-olds enjoyed the show. I don’t think they were aware that there is an actor called Manoj Bajpayee. But now they do. I enjoy talking to them when they come and meet me to ask for an autograph or photograph,” says the actor who will soon wrap up season two of the show. He promises the season will be bigger and better, nothing that people could have imagined. “It will be a thrilling experience for the audience,” he adds.

Manoj admits the web gave him more recognition than films. “The reach of the web is huge. If you are known in India, then after doing a web show, you will be recognised at unexpected places, such is the effect of web content,” he explains.

After the National Award and recognition from the film industry, what does Manoj feel he needs to work on? “Not awards but trying to do new things with each role is what matters to me. I am learning and evolving as a person with acting. I don’t take myself seriously as an actor. I feel acting is a just a job and I want to excel in it. I am no different from a person travelling in a local train to work,” he adds.