Manoj Bajpayee urges viewers to stop obsessing over box-office figures; "Lets talk about the content"

Renowned actor Manoj Bajpayee, celebrated for his exceptional performances, has voiced his concerns over the industry's incessant obsession with box office figures. In a recent interview with Puja Talwar, the actor candidly expressed his desire for a paradigm shift, urging both the industry and audiences to prioritize quality content over monetary success.

Bajpayee emphasized the need to redirect conversations from box office numbers to appreciating and demanding compelling narratives from filmmakers. He acknowledged the pervasive influence of this obsession, even among audiences who have started discussing films predominantly in terms of their financial success. 

Addressing the industry's collective preoccupation with astronomical box office earnings, Bajpayee stressed “It's really enough. We are not doing good to the industry. Let people who are putting in the money, count the footfall. You just do your job. Let's talk about the content. Let's talk about what you have seen. Let's talk about the performances, the direction, story. Let's demand good story from filmmakers.”

Manoj Bajpayee further acknowledged that the current trend, where content is potentially compromised to cater to financial expectations, is both bothersome and annoying. He added, “We can't be counting money and thinking that whatever we've done is good because so many people have seen it. And we are writing so much about it that even the audiences started talking in that language. So where is the filmmaking here? Where's the cinema here? Are we interested in cinema or not?”

Bajpayee firmly believes that dissenting opinions can coexist without resorting to the negativity associated with protests against films.

As the acclaimed actor prepares for the release of "Killer Soup" on Netflix on January 11, 2024, his impassioned plea for a transformation in industry discourse resonates with a growing sentiment within Bollywood.