As the world attempts to go back to the pre-Coronavirus pace of life, actor Manoj Bajpayee has been working non-stop in back-to-back projects, and loving it. “I’m happy to be shooting, wrapping up my commitments. We are following guidelines on the sets and being immensely careful,” he shares.

Last month, his film Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari was the first project to release in theatres after they reopened after being shut down for months. And Bajpayee considers it a success. “The response has been great... I am happy that we chose to go ahead [with a theatrical release]. It was a risk that paid off,” he says.

The two-time National Award winner is hopeful that other filmmakers will follow suit and go for theatrical releases. Other than movies, the Padma Shri recipient has been busy with web shows as well. Ask him if the constant stream of new content on OTT platforms is overloading the space and he replies, “People are consuming everything as they are at home. If they don’t like something, they immediately switch it off.”

Reacting to the subject of censoring OTT content, Bajpayee says, “It’ll be sad if that happens. It’ll curtail the wings of filmmakers. At times, people do go overboard, but if it is a story requirement, then it’s okay. I think makers should get the liberty to self-censor as restrictions would hurt everyone.” 

Mention his recent win at Asian Academy Creative Awards for The Family Man and Bajpayee is all humility. The 51-year-old, who earlier won Asia Pacific Screen Awards for Aligarh (2016) and Bhosle, says, “Nomination itself is a big thing, even if you don’t win. My work getting appreciated globally means my audience base is increasing, and that’s what matters to a performer. No bigger award than people loving your work.”