Manoj Bajpayee recently shared details about his initial encounter with Anurag Kashyap, revealing that it wasn't on the sets of "Satya," as many assume. Instead, their first meeting took place at filmmaker Sriram Raghavan's office, located in Andheri East.
Bajpayee recounted that Ram Gopal Varma tasked him with finding a writer for a project. Unsatisfied with the writers Bajpayee initially suggested, Varma's search continued. It was during this time that Bajpayee met Kashyap casually. Their conversation, fueled by numerous cigarettes, unveiled Kashyap's deep passion for cinema, his extensive reading habits, and his insightful perspectives. Impressed, Bajpayee introduced the then 22-year-old Kashyap to Ram Gopal Varma, paving the way for Kashyap's Bollywood career.
Their professional relationship began with Ram Gopal Varma's "Satya," where Bajpayee played the iconic role of Bhiku Mhatre, and Kashyap received his big break as a screenwriter. However, creative differences, particularly regarding the depiction of Bhiku's death, caused a rift between them. Although they collaborated on films like "Shool" and "Kaun," a significant reunion didn't occur until "Gangs of Wasseypur". Even the success of "Gangs of Wasseypur" didn't lead to a sustained creative partnership.
Bajpayee mentioned that Kashyap had once written a film for him, but it never materialized. Years later, Kashyap returned as the presenter of Bajpayee's film "Jugnuma". Reflecting on this, Bajpayee humorously stated that he has "suddenly found new love" for Kashyap.
Addressing their dynamic, Bajpayee noted that their fundamental relationship remains unchanged. He remarked that Kashyap was once immature but has since matured, saying, "Woh bachcha tha, abb jawaan ho gaya hai". Despite their history, this doesn't necessarily indicate an imminent collaboration. Bajpayee jokingly imagines directing a film with Kashyap as an actor, specifically to create a challenging experience for him and highlight the difficulty of acting. He humorously acknowledged Kashyap's recent acting roles, particularly in South Indian films like "Leo" and "Maharaja".
Bajpayee also admitted that he still can't have a completely serious conversation with Kashyap because the latter constantly teases him. Despite their playful banter, Bajpayee respects Kashyap's film industry analysis and values his insights on cinema and evolving trends.
