Manoj Bajpayee Wants To Quit Acting For A Decade Lost Time With Parents

When Satya released in 1998, Bhiku Mhatre became a cult figure and Manoj Bajpayee was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. What followed were acclaimed performances in films like Shool, Zubeidaa, and eventually Gangs of Wasseypur, cementing his place among Indi... When Satya released in 1998, Bhiku Mhatre became a cult figure and Manoj Bajpayee was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. What followed were acclaimed performances in films like Shool, Zubeidaa, and eventually Gangs of Wasseypur, cementing his place among India's finest actors. Known for his remarkable versatility and ability to breathe life into every character he portrays, Bajpayee has given audiences countless memorable performances. Yet behind the applause lies a personal cost. In a recent conversation with Ranveer Allahabadia on his podcast, the actor revealed that for nearly a decade, he has repeatedly contemplated walking away from acting altogether. 'I sometimes want to quit acting': Manoj Bajpayee Explaining the reason behind these thoughts, he said, "Taking intense characters and performing them over the years makes you a very moody person. The mood swings are way too high. For the past ten years, I've had thoughts of quitting acting. But then I find a nice role and go back to work." According to the actor, the dilemma stems from his desire to preserve acting as a passion rather than allowing it to become a routine profession. "I don't want acting to become a mandatory job. I want to do it out of passion, not because I have responsibilities to fulfill at home or because it's my source of livelihood." After years of immersing himself in emotionally draining roles, Bajpayee confessed that he is now yearning for something lighter. 'I am craving a commercial film, want to run away from dark roles' "Lately, I have been craving to do a commercial film. I want to be in an out-and-out slapstick comedy. Absolute nonsense. Dance to music. A film that requires no preparation. I just want to go on set without thinking too much about what I am playing and have a good time. I want to escape from all the things I have been doing." The actor pointed to films like Gali Guleiyan, Bhonsle, and Joram as examples of projects that demanded an immense emotional and psychological investment. "These are not easy films or easy characters. You're living these characters as closely as possible, both mentally and physically. You're creating that space for a completely different human being. Suddenly, you're in a tunnel." He added that he now actively avoids dark and emotionally complex roles because of the toll they take on him. "Every time I see a dark character living in a dark world, I want to escape it. Every time there is a dark, complex character, it takes the soul out of you. Now, I want to escape the experience—the process of getting into that tunnel." 'Have no recollection of roles I played' The emotional burden, he said, is so intense that he often has little recollection of how he