Snehashish roy
Following the success of his Netflix series Inspector Zende, actor Manoj Bajpayee is set to return to the big screen with the independent film Jugnuma. The movie, previously titled The Fable, has already garnered acclaim at film festivals worldwide and is now ready for its theatrical release in India.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Manoj shared what makes Jugnuma so special to him. “The USP is the storytelling,” he said. “I would say this is the kind of story and storytelling I have never experienced before. I have not experienced this kind of imagination from anyone.” The film, directed by Raam Reddy, is set in the hills of 1989 and blends magical realism with thriller elements.
Manoj, a multiple National Award-winner, also praised the film’s visual appeal. Reddy chose to shoot on 16mm film instead of digital, which Manoj believes adds to the unique experience. “When you see the grains on the screen, it is magical,” he said with a smile.
Jugnuma has received strong support from the film community, with Anurag Kashyap and Guneet Monga among its backers. A recent screening in Mumbai was attended by numerous leading filmmakers, including Vikramaditya Motwane, Abhishek Chaubey, and Nandita Das. Manoj noted that prominent South Indian directors like Vetrimaaran and Nag Ashwin have also supported the film.
”There is a part of this industry that is very together,” Manoj said. “It also shows that this section of the industry is more focused on making cinema, rather than focusing on box office turnover. They want to move ahead together and not indulge in bitching about each other.”