Actor Manoj Bajpayee considers parents to be the biggest censors for OTT and shares why he feels lucky to be working at this time
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 13, 2021)

With a surge in content consumption on the streaming platforms, actor Manoj Bajpayee is glad that it helped the entertainment industry thrive. The Padma Shri recipient is not only looking forward to the second season of his successful web show, Family Man, but also glad that OTT is affecting his career in a good way. He “prays” that OTT doesn’t come under the ambit of censorship and that actors, who have so many choices today, choose wisely. Bajpayee, 51, will soon be seen in a web original film, Silence and an anthology series Ray, among other theatrical projects. Here are excerpts from an interview.

How do you look at the evolution of OTT platforms over the last few years and especially after 2020?
We’ve an insatiable appetite for stories which is why OTT has been growing since it came to India. With the lockdown, people were left with one medium of entertainment and it made lives of people easier for ones’ who could afford OTT and stay at home. There was so much consumption that platforms began struggling to create new shows as viewers binge watched everything possible — old and new, and wanted more! OTT boomed when other industries weren’t and it has given huge opportunities to hundreds of talent, which should be celebrated.

The question of web censorship has always been looming and now there are fresh guidelines. What do you think of such developments?
Personally, I feel that on OTT the biggest censors are the parents as that’s what happens in my home. My daughter watches what is allowed and appropriate for her. Moreover, we should let other ideas and opinions be, so that the entertainment business grows with different ideas. If you don’t want to watch it, don’t switch it on. You have the control and can decide what to see. I pray that OTT doesn’t come under the ambit of censorship at all.

You have shot for original digital and theatrical releases. Has the experience been any different?
There’s never a difference while working, and eventually where a film releases doesn’t define the process. The viewing experience of audience changes which can be taken into account.

Do you find today’s times more challenging for actors?
There’s always something to improve in yourself and it goes on for all your life. Acting is a difficult task and one can’t say I’ve arrived, done it all and I know everything. It is an ongoing process. Today, it is not just about the way you look or your style but how you perform and how professional you are. Moreover, with every performance, one knows that on OTT, there is someone who is being celebrated.

With multiple seasons of web shows being a norm, how do you work around playing the same character repeatedly?
It’s never easy playing the same character every season, especially when you are not playing to the gallery and sticking to the character. I know the character of Shrikant in The Family Man will put me to test as an actor every season. In fact, Season 2 was tougher for me than Season 1. You can’t sit back, relax and think, the shoot will be a cakewalk. Never. It’s pure hard work to create a memorable character.

After The Family Man’s success, what kind of web offers have followed?
The Family Man has been one of a kind successful series from our country. I’m told, it’s the biggest property from India and it’s humbling to be part of such a show. I got offers for some series before it and afterwards too, the offers for web shows have increased but I’m not in mood to do anything and everything. I haven’t signed any other series.

So, how do you manage to zero in on the kind of work you want to do?
Right now, I’m focused on films and my projects are aiming for theatrical release but they’re also apprehensive about releasing it in theatres as those are still taking time to comeback to normalcy. So, even if I do a web film, the focus is always on the content, the director and the script. It’s difficult to turn down projects these days because 60-70% of offers are really worth it and choosing them has become difficult. I feel lucky to be working in this time.