Manoj Bajpayee Reflects on Sudden Fame and Loss of Privacy
Manoj Bajpayee shares discomfort with sudden OTT-driven fan attention.
Acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee, currently celebrated for his performances in the OTT release Inspector Zende and the theatrical film Jugnuma, has opened up about his unease with the growing adulation from fans, describing it as “claustrophobic” and an intrusion into his privacy. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, the actor contrasted his experience with that of Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan, who embraced stardom in their mid-20s.
Bajpayee, known for his nuanced roles, explained that he never sought the kind of fervent fan following typically associated with Bollywood’s biggest stars. “I have been working. I have never got into a space where people are chasing me, or following me, or just crying looking at you,” he said, reflecting on his career. The actor noted that his recent work on OTT platforms has attracted a new generation of fans, a shift he finds overwhelming. “When I’m surrounded by new fans now, I find it claustrophobic because this is not what I’m used to,” he added.
Drawing a comparison, Bajpayee highlighted that stars like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Ajay Devgn, who achieved fame at a younger age, are accustomed to constant public attention. “They got their stardom at the age of 25, 26. They don’t even know what it is to be without fans. I am used to having no fans. So I find it too much interference in my privacy,” he remarked.
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Bajpayee’s latest film, Jugnuma, released in cinemas on September 12, 2025, has garnered praise for its evocative storytelling. Set in the late 1980s in the Indian Himalayas, the film follows Dev, played by Bajpayee, who grapples with mysterious fires in his orchard estate, leading to profound personal revelations. The film features a stellar cast, including Tillotama Shome, Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Awan Pookot, and Hiral Sidhu.
As Bajpayee navigates his evolving public image, his candid reflections underscore a career defined by artistic integrity rather than the pursuit of fame, setting him apart in an industry dominated by larger-than-life personas.
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