Veteran actor The Family Man’s current season has brought widespread acclaim for its gritty narrative and tight ensemble cast. Yet instead of simply basking in the praise, its lead actor Manoj Bajpayee used the spotlight to issue a blunt critique of the film industry, saying that many actors in Bollywood are too insecure to genuinely recognise or appreciate each other’s work.
Bajpayee recalled a heartfelt moment when he unexpectedly called fellow actor Jaideep Ahlawat late at night after the release of Jaideep’s acclaimed series Paatal Lok. The surprise appreciation helped Jaideep break down in tears, revealing how seldom such gestures happen within the industry. “I had told him to open an institution, and I would become his student,” Bajpayee said.
That incident opened the door to a larger reflection. Bajpayee argued that jealousy and insecurity prevent peers from supporting one another; as a result, genuine appreciation becomes rare. “In our industry, actors will never praise each other’s work because they are insecure,” he said. He added candidly that even after decades in the business, he still calls people to ask for work, calling himself a “born struggler.”
This candid confession stands in stark contrast to the camaraderie often portrayed offline and on screen. Bajpayee and Jaideep have shared the screen earlier in films like Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and Chittagong, yet the mutual respect they express now seems almost revolutionary in the current competitive climate.
The timing of this critique is significant. With “The Family Man 3” receiving record viewership and praise, one might expect industry heat to rise. Instead, Bajpayee’s honesty could serve as a call to introspection, both within the fraternity and among fans. In an environment where success is often zero-sum, elevating someone else’s talent may be seen as risking one’s own position.
Bajpayee’s words shed light on a larger issue: the emotional undercurrents of an industry built on egos, competition and public image. When public relations, box office numbers and personal branding dominate, simple acts of acknowledgement and support may seem like rare currency.
For established actors and newcomers alike, his message may prompt a rethink: perhaps collaboration, encouragement and mutual respect are more powerful than rivalry and silence. If nothing else, for a man of Bajpayee’s stature to speak so plainly could catalyse a shift, one small gesture at a time.