15th June 2023, Mumbai: In a recent interview, Manoj Bajpayee was questioned about the uncanny resemblance between his opening scene in the 2001 film Aks and Heath Ledger’s Joker in the 2008 blockbuster, The Dark Knight. Reflecting on this intriguing parallel, Bajpayee shared that he and his friends often humorously claim to have been the pioneers in conceiving a character similar to the enigmatic Joker.
Manoj Bajpayee, renowned for his role as Raghavan, a chilling murderer in Aks, engaged in a conversation about his iconic opening scene, where he faces the relentless interrogation of Amitabh Bachchan’s heroic cop. Exploring the themes of society and norms within the context of the scene, the actor passionately argued that without these constraints, individuals would succumb to their darkest inclinations.
During the interview with Cinema Express, Bajpayee was alerted to the striking resemblance between his Aks moment and the interrogation scene featuring the Joker in The dark Knight. In response, he expressed his gratitude for bringing up the connection, stating, “I am really glad you brought this up. My friends and I often joke about how we were the first to think of a persona like The Joker. People may have objected if we had mentioned this.”
Furthermore, Manoj Bajpayee revealed that crafting the character of Raghavan in Aks demanded a meticulous process spanning six to seven months. He embraced the role of utter evil, improvising Hindi dialogues as the original script provided was in English. Bajpayee vividly remembered his preparation for the character while in Atlanta, where he visited a bar and noticed the allure of alcohol bottles that concealed something harmful within. This observation helped him grasp the essence of evil, which needed to possess an irresistible appeal.
The actor’s recent appearance in the courtroom drama Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai has garnered attention, marking a significant addition to his filmography. Prior to that, he shared the screen with the seasoned performer Sharmila Tagore in the March 2016 release Gulmohar. Looking ahead, Manoj Bajpayee has an exciting lineup of upcoming films, including Joram, Dispatch, and Soup, promising audiences more captivating performances in the near future.
-by Kashvi Gala