June 9th, 2025: More than a decade after Gangs of Wasseypur defined a generation of cinematic excellence, three powerhouse actors of Hindi Cinema, Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Jaideep Ahlawat, reunited – not on screen, but at the Filmfare Actors’ Roundtable – for what is arguably one of their most unfiltered conversations yet. Hosted by Jitesh Pillai, Editor-in-Chief, Filmfare, the trio engaged in a raw, unguarded exchange that spanned creative discipline, personal regret, early rage, industry realism, and much more, revealing aspects of themselves often left off-camera. From Manoj reflecting on his fight against hierarchy, to Nawaz openly admitting his missteps, and Jaideep recalling the filmmakers who shaped him, the conversation brimmed with insight, honesty, and a shared passion for craft.
Speaking about his early anger issues and how a sense of fairness shaped his worldview, Manoj Bajpayee shared, “The emotion (anger) was not something that came randomly. The issue in my life has always been about fairness, not gender, but a human being purely on the basis of quality, ability, talent, and hard work. These are the points on which I judge myself and others. Other than this, I feel like if one person is not getting something that someone else is, and that person is showing off or trying to rule me or boss me over because they are in some kind of power, then it becomes a problem. So I changed what I could in my space, which was the sense of hierarchy, and I do not let that system exist in my orbit, whether it’s my shooting or personal life.”
Reflecting on missteps and missed time, Nawazuddin Siddiqui admitted, “I still regret that 3-4 years of my life I spent in circles which I shouldn’t have, like with non-creative people. I think that pulls you back by a lot of years. I am now aware, so I make sure I stay in circles and friendships with creative people. Your core and unconscious mind progress, and that helps through the creativity flowing in the conversation of the people around you.”
On the fundamental difference between stars and actors, Manoj Bajpayee added, “This is where actors are completely different from stars. Actors are detached and attached—they observe themselves. Nobody else is as self-critical and self-observing as they are. A star can’t be this, because he is self-obsessed to the point of being narcissistic. Actors are not. Their focus is on emotions and the factors that are shaping them.”
Talking about the need for audiences to better understand an actor’s craft, Nawazuddin Siddiqui shared, “Only those who are well-versed with the craft of acting are the ones who can see those moments. But I am sorry, not a lot of people can know the ‘truth’ of an actor. It is that personal. People should be more aware of how an actor reaches that state of mind. Acting is believing, and many times, I have reached that level, but people have missed it.”
Discussing the roots of his craft, Manoj Bajpayee reflected, “Theatre gives you discipline, then it brings process. Cinema can’t give you that. After 32 years of experience in this medium, I believe cinema is not an actor’s medium. It strips discipline from you. It’s more of a distraction, given that people don’t have patience for the process.”
On the directors and films that inspired his creative journey, Jaideep Ahlawat shared, “The first film was Guru Dutt Saheb’s Pyaasa. If you start from Ritwik Ghatak to Satyajit Ray, then reach Ram Gopal Verma, you understand that there are so many palettes—and all of them have given you something. All of them have their unique ways of storytelling and characterization.”
Looking back on his bond with late actor Irrfan Khan, Manoj Bajpayee recalled, “Irrfan used to watch my plays. We would meet over chai. We knew each other in the initial days, but our friend circles were very different. Just once, someone wanted an interview with both of us—we both went, and he told me, and said this in the interview too, that he always wanted us to do a film together.”
Watch the full episode of Filmfare Actors’ Roundtable ft. Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Jaideep Ahlawat now only on Filmfare’s YouTube Channel!