From Bhiku Matre to Srikant Tiwari : A Journey Of 30 Years | #Guftugu with Manoj Bajpai

In this episode of Guftugu, Manoj Bajpayee sits down for a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation that moves far beyond filmography.

He reflects on how the pandemic changed society and what it revealed about us, and then shifts to how those changes reshaped cinema, audiences, and the future of the theatrical experience. He also speaks about the rise of OTT, what it has opened up for actors and storytelling, and how the industry’s idea of “commercial” and “offbeat” work continues to evolve.

Manoj shares his approach to acting and transformation, his theatre training, and the mentors and ideas that influenced him, including Barry John and concepts from Bertolt Brecht. The conversation lightens up with glimpses of his everyday life, travel, and his relationship with music, including a brief Bhojpuri line and a song memory from his theatre days.

A special highlight is the literary segment. Manoj reads from Parshuram Ki Pratiksha and Andha Yug, and also speaks about Urdu, poetry, and Rekhta Dictionary, bringing the conversation full circle to language and culture. He closes with a warm, personal note on family, parenthood, and the values that keep him grounded.