Manoj Bajpayee has had two reasons to celebrate recently: his latest web film Gulmohar, in which he features alongside actor Sharmila Tagore, has been well received by audiences and critics, and he has been awarded an honorary doctorate by a university. However, he remains humble and doesn’t feel deserving of the title “doctor”. As he puts it, “I don’t have the courage to use the word doctor before my name; it is given to those who have devoted their lives to studying. But, I accept it with humility.” 

As for Gulmohar, the actor is happy that appreciation has come from all quarters. For Bajpayee, a job well done is half the battle won, and then comes taking the film to the people. “I had called so many people [from the industry] to show Gulmohar, but several of them did not turn up. I didn’t feel bad. I just told myself that I have done my job; I am putting in my best efforts to promote it and create awareness about it. To make people watch the film... that’s a very hard job. [I feel that] one’s job is not [limited] to just giving interviews. It also about strategizing and being the frontrunner of the project [to create more buzz around it],” says the 53-year-old.

When prodded further about people not showing up for his film’s screening and asked him if it affected him at all, and Bajpayee replies, “In the industry, some people are busy; some don’t like watching films at a private screening; and some don’t think it’s significant to show up. People have their own reasons. I don’t mind it. At the end of the day, you can send out an invitation, and it can be met with different intentions. And it is not my job to understand it (the intentions).”

But he appreciates those who go out of their way to show support and solidarity, such as actor Arjun Kapoor, who sent his sister as a representative to watch the film when he couldn’t attend himself. “Arjun sent his sister Anshula (Kapoor, entrepreneur)... This is what it tells you about the character of that person. I will never forget this gesture. These things look small, but they tell so much about people. I want this industry to be that warm and of that nature. I thank everyone who showed up on my invitation; they promoted the film on their own,” ends the actor.