MUMBAI: Manoj Bajpayee, one of the most respected actors in the Indian film industry, recently revisited the beginning of his professional bond with Jaideep Ahlawat, who famously played his onscreen father, Shahid Khan, in the crime epic Gangs of Wasseypur.
The discussion came as the two acclaimed performers reunite in the third season of the highly anticipated streaming series The Family Man, where they will portray adversaries.
Bajpayee confirmed that he was instrumental in ensuring Ahlawat got the key role in the 2012 two-part saga, stating he personally suggested Ahlawat’s name to director Anurag Kashyap.
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However, he stressed that his action was a purely professional endorsement of talent, not an act of charity.
The actor firmly stated, "I didn't do any favour to Jaideep. I just told Anurag Kashyap about a talented guy whose personality was very good, and who I had already worked with on the film 'Chittagong' (2012)."
He also shared his satisfaction that three actors he had recommended—Jaideep, Jameel Khan, and Rajkummar Rao—were successfully cast in the project.
Bajpayee explained that Kashyap often seeks his advice for casting actors, even for projects in which he is not involved.
Both actors have vehemently dismissed any public perception of their equation as a traditional 'guru-shishya' (teacher-disciple) relationship.
Bajpayee emphasised: "It is not guru-shishya.
Those who have taught Jaideep in FTII and introduced him to acting are his gurus. But we learn a lot from each other's work, that's about it.
There is nothing more to it. Let's not glorify it that much."
The mutual admiration runs deep. Bajpayee openly praised Ahlawat’s career-defining work in the series Paatal Lok, saying, "I saw 'Paatal Lok' and I can talk about every scene.
I like Jaideep's work a lot... If you look at his every performance, that in itself will become a master class for many actors, I'm saying this very genuinely."
Ahlawat, in turn, recalled an emotional late-night call from the veteran actor after the success of Paatal Lok.
He remembered Bajpayee telling him, "Watching your performance was like attending a workshop; it revived my passion for acting."
Ahlawat admitted he "couldn't hold my tears" upon hearing the sincere praise, underscoring the sincerity of their shared journey in the craft.
The two actors now share the screen again in The Family Man 3, with Ahlawat joining the cast as the antagonist Rukma.
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CREDITS: NEWS 18
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