Manoj Bajpayee on His Role as an Investigative Journalist in Despatch: “For an Investigative Journalist, the Day Never Stops”

Manoj Bajpayee, known for his powerful portrayals in films across different genres, is set to take on a gripping new role in the film Despatch, where he plays an investigative journalist. In an exclusive interview, the seasoned actor revealed how he prepared for this challenging role and discussed his interactions with real-life journalists, especially those he had befriended during his early days in theatre.

 

Speaking candidly about his connection with journalists, Bajpayee shared, "I have many friends in Delhi. For me, as an actor who came from theatre, it was natural to have so many journalist friends. During my theatre days, I used to rely on them for a lot of things. Rajesh Joshi, in particular, was very active during those times."

 

He explained that his friendships with journalists were instrumental when preparing for the role. "When the film was confirmed, I kept talking to them about the script and the world we were trying to show. Journalists are always curious about scripts and whether what we are showing is true to life or just a typical mainstream film. Many of them were aware of Kanu's first film and were excited because it was taking a more realistic direction. But those who didn’t know were a bit apprehensive about how we would portray this world," he said.

 

Bajpayee also recalled a crucial conversation with one of his journalist friends, which left a lasting impact on his approach to the character. "I remember asking one of my friends, 'When you enter this world, does the day ever stop? Does it ever end?' And my friend responded, 'For a regular journalist, the day ends. But for an investigative journalist, the day never stops.' That thought stayed with me throughout the process of preparing for this role."

 

The actor went on to discuss how he approached the script. "When I first read the script, I was much more conscious and nervous than usual. Kanu Bahl is someone who likes to dive into the darkest areas of human nature, and I knew this film would push me to explore emotions I had never ventured into before. I won't say I was fully prepared for it, but I was definitely in the process of emotionally preparing myself for the journey."

 

Despite his vast experience in the industry, Bajpayee admitted that this role presented new challenges, both emotionally and professionally. "It was a constant internal battle with myself. I was worried about how my family and friends would perceive me in this role. It's something very new, even for an actor like me, who's worked in the industry for over three decades. But I never felt the need to discuss this with my director, Kanu Bahl. It was a personal struggle."

 

Despatch is releasing on ZEE5 on December 13, 2024.

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