Manoj Bajpayee reveals the struggles behind the making of Bhonsle, Tandav, and Joram during promotions for his upcoming film Governor. The National Award-winning actor shares how funding challenges, creative perseverance, and collaboration with filmmaker Devashish Makhija shaped three of his most acclaimed projects and performances.
Acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee has opened up about the difficult yet rewarding journey behind three of his most celebrated projects—Bhonsle, Tandav, and Joram. The three-time National Award-winning actor reflected on the challenges he faced while collaborating with filmmaker Devashish Makhija, revealing how financial hurdles and creative determination played a crucial role in bringing these projects to life.
Bajpayee shared these insights while promoting his upcoming film Governor, in which he portrays the role of a Reserve Bank of India Governor. During a media interaction, the actor was asked about the origins of Bhonsle and his long-standing creative association with Makhija.
Recalling the early days of their collaboration, Bajpayee explained that before Bhonsle was made, Makhija had written another film. However, securing financial support for the project proved extremely difficult. According to the actor, the lack of funding delayed production and forced them to explore alternative ways to continue working together.
Bajpayee said that despite being an established name in the industry, arranging finances for independent cinema was not an easy task. He took it upon himself to seek funding opportunities because he strongly believed in Makhija’s vision and storytelling abilities. The process, however, took considerable time.
Rather than waiting indefinitely, Bajpayee suggested creating a short film. Within just two days, Makhija returned with the script for Tandav. Working with a modest budget of approximately ₹30-35 lakh, the team proceeded with the project. The short film eventually gained significant popularity on YouTube and received widespread appreciation internationally, earning several accolades and helping establish Makhija’s reputation as a filmmaker.
The success of Tandav created momentum that eventually helped bring Bhonsle to the screen. Bajpayee noted that as the team began generating resources and recognition through their work, the long-delayed project finally became a reality.
Bhonsle went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed films of Bajpayee’s career. His powerful portrayal in the film earned him the National Award for Best Actor, further cementing his reputation as one of India’s finest performers.
The actor also revealed that during the making of Bhonsle, Makhija narrated the story of Joram. Intrigued by the concept, Bajpayee later discussed the project with Zee Studios. He recalled that then-CEO Shahrukh Patel immediately expressed interest in backing the film, paving the way for its production.
Speaking about Joram, Bajpayee described the role as one of the most demanding performances of his career. He admitted that the physically and emotionally immersive nature of the shoot tested him significantly. Despite the challenges, he expressed immense pride in the final outcome, calling it one of his best performances to date.
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Meanwhile, Bajpayee is preparing for the release of Governor, presented by Sunshine Pictures, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar. The film is co-produced by Aashin A. Shah and written by Suvendu Bhattacharyjee, Saurabh Bharat, Ravi Asrani, and Vipul Amrutlal Shah.
Set for release on June 12, 2026, Governor marks another significant project in Bajpayee’s illustrious career, while his reflections on Bhonsle, Tandav, and Joram offer a rare glimpse into the persistence and passion that often drive meaningful cinema.
