Manoj Bajpayee – Haven’t sensationalised Siras’ story in ‘Aligarh’

Manoj Bajpayee‘s next film in “Aligarh” is based on much-debated story of Professor Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended from his job because of his sexual orientation, and the actor says in the film they have not sensationalised his story.

The 46-year-old “Gangs Of Wasseypur” actor said director Hansal Mehta has been very responsible while making the film based on such a sensitive story of a wronged professor, whose privacy was threatened by sections of the society.

“Neither me nor Hansal are sensational by nature. We are people who take responsibility of the story as it is and doing full justice to it.

“This is what our endeavor has been. Hansal is known to take his stand on many political and social issues. So, it was a very smooth journey for us and we never wanted to juice it out,” Bajpayee told PTI on the sidelines of NFDC Film Bazaar.

“We wanted to make a great film out of it. And not for a second we thought that we were making a film on homosexuality.

We always thought we were making a film on somebody who deserved much more than what he got from the society.”

Bajpayee said the film is about Siras’ journey and his fight for his privacy, which is his constitutional right. The actor said the man was not a brave fighter, but rather a reluctant one.

“He is a reluctant rebel. In the film he doesn’t want to get out and fight with anybody, there one small thing (privacy) that he is not getting from society. And he fought his case in High Court and got the judgment in his favour,” he said.

Taking on the lead role in a sensitive film like “Aligarh” was not a tough decision to make for Bajpayee because he considers himself fearless.

“I am by nature a very fearless person. When there is a good script, I don’t think twice. Also there was Hansal whom I have known for 20 years, we have worked for many things, TV and started he started his career with ‘Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!’ with me. A subject has never scared me. I was looking for a good script on the same subject . And I got it with Hansal.

Praising his director and friend, Bajpayee said Hansal is a delight to work with as he gives his actors enough scope to express themselves.

“He lets you be and do your own stuff. These are the kind of directors I like to work with.”

“Aligarh” also stars Rajkummar Rao and will release in theatres in February next year.

Inputs by PTI