Manoj Bajpayee says years of dealing with criticism have given him a thick skin, but he was troubled and hurt when his family was pulled into the row over the earlier title of his film ‘Gajab Raat’. Directed by Ritesh Shah, the film was first announced in February this year as Ghooskhor Pandat. The title sparked a backlash on social media, with several politicians and organisations calling it “casteist and offensive”, after which the makers changed it.
Manoj Bajpayee on the ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ title controversy
The makers and Manoj faced a wave of online hate in the aftermath of the row. Recalling that period in a recent interview with PTI, the actor said, “You go ahead and assault me with the worst thing, I’ll take it because I’m an actor. I’ve had a journey from rejection to everything (where) you are called all sorts of things. So you are thick-skinned. At the end of the day, I feel bad all those people, who are either very ignorant or have less knowledge about life. What really concerned me and offended me to no bits is when they started publishing the photo(s) of my family and saying things.”
Manoj Bajpayee on trolls targeting his family
Manoj is married to actor Shabana Raza, known for films such as Kareeb and Fiza, and the couple has a daughter. He said the abuse aimed at his family came from “nameless” trolls, leaving him with no one to confront. “I am a person who is very easy (going) in life, I like to be happy and have fun all the time. But at the same time, when there is an urgency to save my near and dear ones, I’m very confrontational… But who could I confront because there are nameless people out there,” the actor said.
Manoj Bajpayee’s ‘Gajab Raat’
The film was eventually renamed ‘Gajab Raat’, and its first teaser dropped earlier this month. It premiered on Netflix this Friday, October 23.
