My job is not to make you happy, says Satyameva Jayate actor Manoj Bajpayee

Raw, gritty, intense and flawless in his performances, Manoj Bajpayee, in his over two-decade career, has infused life into many a movie, without feeling the need to leave the audience "happy". That's not my job, says the widely acclaimed actor, who will be seen in Satyameva Jayate next, in his straight as an arrow style.

"My job is not to make you happy. As a filmmaker and as an actor, my job is not to make you feel happy. If you're used to those kind of films, don't come and watch my films," Manoj told IANS at the sidelines of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

But he was quick to add: "This is not an arrogant statement, this is a statement of a creative person."

All the great novelists never tried to make anyone happy, but instead, wrote what they wanted to write, Manoj pointed out, and said: "In the end, they have been paid off by the love of the audience. So, similarly, filmmakers are not supposed to make you happy.

"If they have a story which will make you happy, that would be accidental."

Indian Bollywood actors Manoj Bajpayee (L), Aisha Sharma (C) and John Abraham attend a promotional event for the upcoming action thriller Hindi film Satyameva Jayate in Mumbai. (AFP)

The actor, who has left an indelible mark with his performance as a gangster in Satya, policeman in Shool, gang lord in Gangs of Wasseypur, greedy politician in Raajneeti, CBI officer in Special 26, a gay professor in Aligarh and more, said there are always going to be disturbing stories which will leave the audience uncomfortable.

"This is the story that the writer wanted you to see, the actor wanted to perform and the filmmaker wanted to make. So, our job is to tell the stories and bring them to the screen, and an audience's job is to sit and enjoy that story, and take in whatever they can take from the film.

"And those are the films that are known for their greatness. When Pyaasa was released, everybody felt very disturbed... But today, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool are supposed to be iconic films. So, these are the kind of films I will be known for and remembered for. That is my strife," the actor added.

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First Published: Aug 14, 2018 16:14 IST