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Actor Manoj Bajpayee recently opened up about his early days in theater with superstar Shah Rukh Khan under the guidance of acting coach Barry John. In a candid interview with Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story, Bajpayee spoke about the differences in their aspirations and personalities, addressing questions about any bitterness regarding Shah Rukh Khan’s massive success.
Manoj Bajpayee says Shah Rukh Khan “belonged to a ‘khas duniya’” even in theatre days; calls him “charming guy”
Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Bajpayee: Two Different Worlds
Manoj Bajpayee reminisced about their shared time as batchmates in Barry John’s acting school in New Delhi. However, he clarified that they were never close friends. “Shah Rukh Khan always wanted to be loved, to be a star, to be the center of attention. That was not my target,” Bajpayee said.
The Satya actor elaborated on his contentment with being low-profile. “I was completely okay with not being surrounded by 20 people in my theatre group. I was completely okay with nobody looking at me. I was completely okay with being a fly on the wall,” he added.
Addressing Resentment Rumors
When asked if he ever felt resentment toward Shah Rukh Khan’s unparalleled stardom, Bajpayee was firm in his response. “Your confidence breaks after failure, not because he’s more popular than I am,” he stated. Bajpayee credited Barry John for fostering his acting skills without judgment, particularly regarding his struggle with English. “Many times, Barry John would throw this challenge at me… He’d give me small roles in English plays with Divya Seth, Rituraj Singh, or Shah Rukh,” Bajpayee shared.
Shah Rukh Belonged to a ‘Khas Duniya’
Bajpayee highlighted the stark differences in their personalities and social circles even during their early days. “We knew each other, but our friend circle wasn’t the same. People have to understand, we come from different worlds,” he said, addressing why they don’t meet often.
“Even back then, he belonged to a ‘khas duniya.’ Just because one studies in Jamia doesn’t make them a regular person. Shah Rukh was always a charming guy, always surrounded by people,” Bajpayee explained.
Parallel Success Stories
While Shah Rukh Khan has enjoyed over three decades at the pinnacle of the Hindi film industry, Manoj Bajpayee has carved a distinct niche with critically acclaimed performances. His breakthrough came with Satya, and he later became a household name with his role in the hit web series The Family Man. Bajpayee’s latest project is Kanu Behl’s Despatch.
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