Manoj Bajpayee was offered the role of 'Chunnilal' in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas', but he turned down the offer for a very valid reason.
Manoj Bajpayee has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry with his acting prowess and impactful performances on the screen. From films to web series, Manoj Bajpayee has tried his hand at everything, and fans love his versatility. The Family Man actor debuted in films 30 years back with the film, Satya and, ever since, has only moved upwards in his career. Today, April 23, 2024, marks the 55th birthday of the star, so let's look back at some movie trivia about the legendary actor.
Undoubtedly, Manoj Bajpayee is a reservoir of talent, effortlessly immersing himself in every character he portrays. However, Manoj is very choosy when it comes to the roles he takes up. The Satya actor was initially offered the role of 'Chunnilal' in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles.
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Manoj Bajpayee turned down the role of 'Chunnilal' as, back in the time, he was only playing lead roles, and he thought that taking up the role of a side character would impact his saleability. The role was later played by Jackie Shroff. Manoj Bajpayee in an interview with ETimes shared that he would have loved to play the role of 'Devdas'. Manoj further added:
"I've always wanted to play Devdas. There have been a few adaptations, but no one thought of casting me. I would love to play that character."
In a candid interview with The Lallantop, Manoj Bajpayee revealed that his friendship with Shah Rukh Khan dates back to their struggling days. Speaking about SRK, Manoj expressed his profound admiration for the megastar, who, at the tender age of 26, faced a tragic loss where he lost both his parents but never lost his spirit. The Gangs Of Wasseypur actor shared that he has huge respect for Shah Rukh Khan and he feels happy to see him at the height that he is now. Elaborating more on SRK's struggles, Manoj said:
"Mujhe bahut khushi hoti hain usko uss mukaam pe dekh ke, jiss tarah ke duniya usne khadi ki apne liye. Ek vyakti jiska pura duniya ujadh chuka tha 26 saal ke umar mein aur uska pura parivaar ja chuka tha, phir usne apni duniya khadi . Parivaar apna create kiya, apne liye itna bada naam, izaat banaya."
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During a heartwarming conversation with Gallata Plus, Manoj fondly recalled his youthful days with Shah Rukh Khan in Delhi. Reminiscing about their shared experiences, the actor revealed that it was Shah Rukh who introduced him to the vibrant nightlife of Delhi. Manoj's eyes lit up as he shared that they used to hang out together, often venturing into the city's discotheques. He vividly remembers his first club experience, courtesy to Shah Rukh and their common friends.
We wish a very happy birthday to Manoj Bajpayee and hope that he soon gets to play the role of 'Devdas' in an adaptation. Let us know your views on the same.
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