Manoj Bajpayee’s performances often see the actor inhabiting roles which are new and unique. But with director Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya, Bajpayee is returning to a character that he played in his first performance on screen. In a recent quote to tabloid Pune Mirror, the actor admitted that his character in Chaubey’s Sonchiriya is based on Man Singh, the dacoit he played in Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen (1994).
Sonchiriya, which also features Ranvir Shorey, Sushant Singh Rajput and Bhumi Pednekar, will be released on 8 February.
Speaking to Pune Mirror, Bajpayee said, “Yes, he goes by the same name and has shades of Man Singh, but we have taken some creative liberties while staying true to the dacoit culture.”
The actor had reportedly spent time with the real Man Singh while preparing for his role in the Shekhar Kapur film. Released in 1994, Bandit Queen went on to win three National awards, including Best Film.
The film was also the breakthrough for Bajpayee, who went on to become one of the industry’s respected actors since then.
However, Bajpayee admitted that the two roles are a little different. Also praising Chaubey’s instinct for ‘drama’, he said, “I would call him (Shekhar Kapur) an actor’s director. Chaubey, on the other hand, has a unique way of building up the drama and a mastery in the script.”
The report also quoted the actor saying that the role might not be lengthy, ‘but will leave a lasting impact.’