30th March 2023, Mumbai: Manoj Bajpayee, who is considered one of the best actors in contemporary Hindi cinema, believes that his theatre background has contributed significantly to his success. Prior to entering the film industry, the talented actor was deeply involved with acting coach Barry John’s workshops and also served as a teacher at his theatre school, Theatre Action Group. Currently, he is extending his passion for theatre by intending to establish an acting institute.
For the actor, opening an acting institute is a way of giving back to the art form that has enriched him. He dreams of establishing a centre where theatre workshops and plays can take place in an intimate setting. When he gets older, he would like to teach at the institute himself. The centre would be a mini-institute that offers education on all aspects of theatre and hosts various cultural and theatrical events. This is his retirement project, and he hopes to make it a reality if he has the resources. Recently, he appeared in the film Gulmohar.
Although the actor’s plans are in their early stages, he is determined that the acting institute should not be located in Mumbai, as he feels that the city already has enough such institutions. Instead, he envisions creating a hub for artistic minds, where young and aspiring actors can enrol in a formal program to learn the art of theatre acting. To achieve this, he is currently in discussions with individuals to work out the logistics. His goal is to invite top actors and personalities from all over the country to deliver lectures, as experienced teachers are crucial for any successful acting institute.
Theater has played an essential role in shaping Manoj Bajpayee’s perspective on both his craft and life. He feels indebted to this art form and hopes to offer the same opportunity to young, aspiring actors who want to break into the industry, whether it be in films or elsewhere. The actor believes that instead of complaining about nepotism in the film industry, one should devote time to mastering their craft through theatre. Although nepotism is a prevalent issue across all industries, one can make themselves so competent that their talent cannot be ignored.
When informed that some people view theatre as a dying art form, the actor vehemently disagrees. He believes that theatre is the most ancient medium of entertainment and has withstood challenges from various other forms of entertainment such as cinema, television, and OTT platforms. According to him, theater has never faded away and continues to captivate and enthrall audiences to this day.