4th June 2023, Mumbai: Manoj Bajpayee, known for his exceptional performances in Hindi cinema, has garnered immense praise for his role as Srikant Tiwari in the popular series ‘The Family Man.’ However, in a recent interview, he revealed that he almost rejected the role due to concerns about another actor’s involvement in the casting process. The actor in question is none other than the one who played a pivotal role in ‘Drishyam 2.’ Despite his initial reservations, Manoj eventually took up the role and delivered a remarkable performance.
Throughout his career, Manoj Bajpayee has portrayed numerous iconic characters in Hindi cinema, making him highly sought after by esteemed directors in the industry. ‘The Family Man’ Season 1, released in 2019, quickly became a sensation among fans who couldn’t stop praising Manoj’s portrayal of Srikant Tiwari.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Manoj Bajpayee shared how he almost turned down ‘The Family Man’ when he heard that Akshaye Khanna was in talks to play the lead role. Manoj stated, “Mukesh Chhabra called and said that Raj and DK want to meet me to narrate a series. Initially, I was hesitant because I had seen web series that mostly revolved around sex, violence, and thrills, which didn’t interest me. Moreover, there were rumors of Akshaye Khanna being a part of the show, and out of respect for other actors, I decided I wouldn’t do it if he was involved.”
However, Mukesh Chhabra assured Manoj that the rumors were false, urging him to meet Raj and DK. After just 20 minutes of narration, Manoj was completely convinced. He saw himself fitting into the character seamlessly and recognized the artistic freedom he would have to shape the role as he desired.
Manoj Bajpayee shared, “They sent me two episodes, and I loved them. I immediately started taking notes. I think I made the most character notes for Srikant Tiwari than I ever had before. Whenever something came to my mind, I rushed back to my notebook and penned it down. I was so invested in the role that I had even decided not to take any other work for eight months and focused on extensive preparation.”
The decision to cast Manoj Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari was indeed a wise one. His portrayal of the character exuded finesse, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else embodying Srikant with the same level of brilliance. We are grateful that the makers chose him, as his performance added an exceptional depth to the series.