Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee needs no special introduction. He has made a permanent space in the hearts of cinema lovers with his stellar performances on screen. Currently, Manoj is busy promoting his upcoming film ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ which is getting embroiled in several controversies due to its subject. In a recent interview, the actor talked about the politics prevailing in the industry. During this, he mentioned actor Sushant Singh Rajput and was seen exposing the existence of nepotism in Bollywood.

‘Sushant’s death was a big blow’

During a media interaction, Manoj said that he was shocked by the sudden demise of Sushant. He revealed that both of them developed a good bonding while shooting their film ‘Sonchiriya’. Manoj stated, “Both of us were very close. I often used to cook mutton on the sets and Sushant would always come to eat. I really did not know that Sushant would take such a drastic step one day. All I can say is he could not handle the politics going on in the industry. Sushant could not bear the pressure of becoming a star.”

Manoj further said, “Politics exists in the industry. It keeps getting dirtier as one achieves success. These things never bothered me, but he could not handle the pressure. He talked to me about worrying about his challenges. These things were affecting him.”

‘Nepotism doesn’t affect me’

Apart from this, Manoj quoted, ‘If you want to be Manoj Bajpayee, then politics should not matter to you. But Sushant wanted to be a star and there is a lot of competition in doing so. Whoever wants to become a star tries his best to achieve that position. He could not bear it. I have realized that he was a good person and was like a child from inside. He could not understand the manipulation going on in the industry.”

Manoj further said that he himself was never affected by nepotism in the industry as no other star kid would do the kind of films he does.

Manoj Bajpayee’s ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ will be released on May 23 on the OTT platform Zee5. In the film, Manoj will be seen in the role of a lawyer who fights against godman for justice to a rape victim. It is directed by Apoorva Singh Karki.