If you're given power, use it to contribute, not enjoy it: Manoj Bajpayee

Known for bringing depth and authenticity to every character he portrays, Manoj Bajpayee is set to surprise audiences once again with The Governor, an economic thriller inspired by the life and contributions of former RBI Governor S. Venkitaramanan during India's 1991 financial crisis.

For Bajpayee, the film's appeal lay not just in its historical backdrop but in the remarkable story of a man whose contribution to the nation remains largely unknown. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the actor opened up about what drew him to the project, portraying a real-life figure, and the relevance of the film's story in today's times.




"The script was very engaging. Though it is an economic thriller set against the backdrop of the financial crisis of 1991, it is not a political film," Bajpayee says. "It follows the journey of S. Venkitaramanan, who came up with an out-of-the-box solution during one of India's most difficult periods. Somewhere, I feel that little seed for the India we see today was sown by this gentleman."
Manoj Bajpayee admitted that stepping into the shoes of an economist wasn't easy, especially since economics and mathematics were never his strengths.

"Economics and maths were never my subjects, so the challenge was to familiarise myself with the terminology and understand what I was saying well enough to deliver it with sincerity and conviction," he shared.

The actor revealed that his biggest task wasn't understanding the subject itself, but making complex economic discussions engaging for audiences.

"Many of those dialogues can sound quite technical on paper. The real challenge was finding the emotion behind them and presenting them in a way that would connect with the common audience without overdoing it."

Despite the difficulties, Bajpayee is proud of what the team has achieved.

"Ultimately, it's for the audience to watch and decide, but we are extremely proud of the film we've made," he said.

Portraying a real-life personality came with its own set of challenges. Bajpayee never had the opportunity to meet Venkitaramanan and had to rely on limited information available in the public domain.

"I have never met him. Whatever little information was available on the internet helped, but the rest came from imagination," he explains. "Our job isn't to recreate a person exactly. It is to capture the essence of who they were."

The actor describes Venkitaramanan as a quiet, reserved man who carried immense responsibility.

"He was a man of few words. But imagine the kind of pressure he was under. He wasn't responsible for one state; he was responsible for the entire country. To get into the skin of such a character, you have to rely on imagination and emotional understanding."

Interestingly, Bajpayee didn't consult economists or banking professionals while preparing for the role.

"The research for me was more about understanding his life, his family, his culture and his environment. Once you know those things, you start imagining relationships and emotional responses. The external details are important, but understanding the mind and emotions of a person is what matters most."

At a time when patriotic cinema is often associated with war dramas, espionage thrillers and larger-than-life heroes, Bajpayee believes The Governor tells a different but equally important patriotic story.

"This is also patriotic," he says firmly. "It is the story of a man who stepped up during a national crisis and contributed immensely. His contribution isn't widely known. Our job is to make people aware of what he did for the country."

He adds, "There are many unsung heroes like him. Not everyone who serves the nation wears a uniform or enters politics. Some quietly do their jobs and help India move forward."

Working on the film also became a learning experience for the actor himself.

"Before this film, I didn't know much about S. Venkitaramanan. Today, because of the research and the role, I am much more educated about him and his contribution. Every role like this adds to your understanding of people and history. One lifetime is very short."

Rather than a specific scene, it is the overall impact of the story that has stayed with him.

"Today if someone starts talking about Venkitaramanan, I can talk about him for a long time. That's the lasting impact of the script. As an actor, my focus was on portraying him as simply as possible and making him impactful through his decisiveness rather than external mannerisms."

When asked what leadership means to him, Bajpayee's answer reflects the values that resonate throughout the film.
"If you're given power, use it to contribute, not to enjoy it. Leadership should ensure food, employment and education for every citizen. That's what responsibility means."
Well, the conversation wasn't all serious. When asked to imagine a meeting between Venkitaramanan and his beloved The Family Man character Srikant Tiwari, Bajpayee couldn't help but laugh.

"Both are highly educated and exceptional at what they do," he says. "One is an IAS officer and the other comes from an intelligence background. Their worlds are completely different, but they do have one thing in common, they both prepared for the UPSC. I think they would spend a lot of time talking about the exam, their preparation journey and the challenges that came with it."

Despite having played countless memorable characters over the years, Bajpayee says there is no end to the stories he wants to tell.

"Look at India's population. Every household is a film," he says with a smile. "One lifetime is very short. My endeavour is to do as many different roles as possible. Audiences should always be ready to see a new Manoj Bajpayee."
As The Governor prepares for release, Bajpayee sums up the film in three words: "Sincere. Authentic. Engaging."

And when asked how life is treating him these days, the actor remains characteristically grounded.

"God is kind. The audience is kind. For the last few years, people have appreciated my work and my effort. What more can one ask for? I'm able to provide for my family. At the end of the day, I'm as common as anyone else."