Manoj Bajpayee, who has carved his own niche in Indian cinema with powerful and intense performances, recently opened up about his choice of roles when it comes to comedy. Known for his strong screen presence in films such as Satya, Gangs of Wasseypur, and The Family Man, the actor revealed that while he enjoys humor, he is careful about the kind of comedy he takes on.
During an interaction, Bajpayee admitted that slapstick comedy is something he has never been confident about attempting. According to him, that particular style of humor demands a very different kind of timing, body language, and exaggerated expressions that he believes he doesn’t naturally possess. “I don’t think I am skilled enough to do slapstick comedy. It is not in my comfort zone,” he explained.
Instead, the actor said he prefers roles where the comedy flows organically from the character and the situation, rather than through over-the-top antics. He added that he gravitates more towards subtle, situational, or dark humor because those formats align with his natural acting style and allow him to bring authenticity to the screen.
Bajpayee also pointed out that while audiences often associate him with intense roles, he has tried to bring lighter shades into his work whenever possible. However, he emphasized that he does not want to force himself into genres that don’t suit him just for the sake of experimentation. “Every actor has their strengths and limitations. For me, understanding those boundaries has been important in choosing the right scripts,” he said.
His honesty about not chasing every genre simply to prove versatility reflects the actor’s grounded approach toward his craft. Instead of attempting something he feels he cannot deliver convincingly, Bajpayee focuses on projects that highlight his strengths as a performer.
With his next set of films lined up, fans are once again eager to see him push creative boundaries in the way he knows best. And though slapstick comedy may not be a part of his journey, Manoj Bajpayee continues to prove that his versatility lies in bringing depth and realism to whichever character he portrays.
