“Loser conversation… just decoration”: Manoj Bajpayee amid debate over SRK’s first National award

Shah Rukh Khan recently created history by bagging his first ever National Award for Best Actor for Jawan, a milestone his fans celebrated across social media. But as the congratulatory messages poured in, some moviegoers argued that Manoj Bajpayee delivered a more powerful performance in Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai and should have won instead.

Now, Manoj has finally reacted to the chatter. In a candid interview, the actor called the debate unnecessary. 'It is useless conversation because it is gone,' he said, adding that both Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai and Joram remain among the most special films of his career. 'I don’t discuss these things because it is a very loser conversation. It is in the past and it should be left alone.'

Questions on the Relevance of Awards

The veteran actor, who has himself won three National Awards over the years for Satya, Pinjar and Aligarh, shared a wider concern about how award shows, including the prestigious National Awards, are evolving. 'It’s not just about national awards. It’s about all the awards that were revered. They should seriously think about how they are operating,' Manoj said. He clarified that his personal respect as an artist remains intact because he chooses his films carefully, but hinted that the credibility of award bodies might be slipping.

“Just a Piece of Decoration”

Manoj went a step further and questioned the very idea of awards altogether. 'I think for me, the idea of an award show is wrong,' he admitted. While he attends such ceremonies out of respect for the organisers, he doesn’t see trophies as career-defining. 'It is just a piece of decoration in your house. Every day you are not going to stand in front of it and say ‘wow, I got this’,' he said.

Shah Rukh Khan’s win marks a 33-year wait since his debut in the early 90s, making the achievement a landmark moment for the superstar. But for Manoj Bajpayee, whose craft has already been recognised multiple times, the focus clearly remains on the work itself, not the awards that come with it.