National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, known for his hard-hitting performances across films and web series, has shared an eye-opening perspective on the current state of the film industry. While promoting his upcoming thriller series Inspector Zende, the actor appeared on The Right Angle With Sonal Kalra Season 2, produced by Gautam Thakker Films, where he was asked about the disparity between OTT and theatrical pay scales.
Manoj Bajpayee says, “Everyone wants to make a risk-free film,” on changing dynamics of theatrical releases
When asked whether OTT actors, who enjoy popularity on par with big-screen stars, are being paid equally, Bajpayee first responded with wit before giving a deeper answer. “I don’t get the money,” he quipped, before elaborating further: “However, today, actors are also not getting paid, as they are being told that it’s risky to put in the money and there is a budget constraint. Even the ones who are releasing films in theatres are not getting paid, everybody wants to make this a risk-free project.” His honest remarks underline the industry’s growing financial caution, where filmmakers are often hesitant to take risks despite the rising demand for fresh and bold storytelling.
Bajpayee, however, continues to embrace challenging roles. In Inspector Zende, he plays a relentless cop chasing down serial killer Carl Bhojraj, portrayed by Jim Sarbh. The cat-and-mouse thriller has already piqued audience interest for its psychological intensity.
Beyond this, the actor is set to return in one of India’s most anticipated shows, The Family Man Season 3, where he reprises his beloved role as Srikant Tiwari. Adding to the excitement, Bajpayee recently announced his reunion with filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma after decades for a horror-comedy titled Police Station Mein Bhoot.
With a career built on balancing content-driven cinema and mainstream entertainment, Bajpayee’s comments echo the larger sentiment in Bollywood – where the tension between creative ambition and financial ‘safety nets’ continues to shape the future of theatrical releases.
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