Manoj Bajpayee teams up with Ram Gopal Varma after 8 years, calls him magician

For Manoj Bajpayee, it might as well be 1998 all over again. That’s exactly how the actor felt as he began shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s Police Station Mein Bhoot in Hyderabad on July 26, reuniting with the filmmaker who had given him his big break with Satya (1998). Since then, the actor-director duo has given Bollywood many worthwhile movies — Kaun? (1999), Shool (1999),  and Sarkar 3 (2017), among others.    

Ask Bajpayee how it felt to return to Varma’s set after eight years, and the actor says, “He is the same old magician, still weaving magic. I was the same young guy, still in awe of his craft of filmmaking. I was like a little boy standing in a candy store.”

Manoj Bajpayee in Sarkar 3

Today Bajpayee and Varma come with a rich experience of decades behind them. Surely, there must have been changes in their approach towards their craft. The actor reflects, “Earlier, I did not have much to say to anyone. But now, I’ve aged, as has Ramu. All of us have gone through many ups and downs in our lives and careers. With that, we’ve all gained wisdom. So now, whatever he says, I try to grasp it; I try to understand his vision.”

This time, the two are joining forces to tell a supernatural action comedy. Police Station Mein Bhoot, also starring Genelia Deshmukh, revolves around an honest cop who kills a gangster, and in turn, is possessed by him. Would he consider it among his most challenging roles? “Everything is challenging. Acting itself is difficult. Sadly, in our country, it’s regarded as the easiest thing. It’s a serious craft. But here, because everything is box office–oriented,” he rues.

Genelia Deshmukh stars as the female lead

While the first schedule was shot over 10 days, the unit is currently on a break. The actor reveals that they will regroup in October-end. “From October to November will be a start-to-finish schedule in Hyderabad. Let me finish the film. Then I’ll have a lot to say,” he smiles.