Manoj Bajpayee and Divya Dutta Criticise Industry Stereotypes and Bad Reputation

Actor Manoj Bajpayee has stated that the Hindi film industry has a bad reputation and bad karma for ruining talented actors by stereotyping them and reducing them to nothing on sets.

Cast Comments

Bajpayee made these remarks during an interview while promoting his film Gajab Raat alongside co-actors Divya Dutta and Shraddha Das. He revealed that only 25 percent of his acting talent has been exploited so far. Dutta shared her frustration about being labeled as a supporting actor or character actor, explaining that such tags are used to kill talent when people do not know which bracket to put an actor in. Bajpayee added that the industry remains colonized and relies heavily on a rigid hierarchy of main actors and secondary roles, a phase he personally fought battles to survive.

Changing Dynamics

Despite past unfairness, both actors noted that things are gradually improving due to the rise of OTT platforms. Bajpayee pointed out that producers are now more mindful about fair treatment, and audiences, including families, discuss characters and stories in detailed ways that go beyond standard film critics. The film Gajab Raat is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 23.

Context

The rise of streaming platforms has changed how content is produced and consumed in India, offering more diverse roles for actors who previously faced typecasting in traditional commercial cinema. Discussions around creative hierarchy and industry practices often highlight the changing expectations of modern audiences who value nuanced storytelling.