Key Highlights:

  • A three-day shoot, fond memories: Manoj Bajpayee recalled shooting his role in "Veer-Zaara" over one day at Film City and two days in Amritsar.
  • Working with Yash Chopra was the biggest draw: He shared how much he had wanted to work with the legendary director, calling the experience deeply memorable.
  • Yash Chopra's honesty stood out: Bajpayee recalled the director candidly telling him he doesn't typically make films for actors like him, and said he admired that honesty.
  • Warmth beyond the camera: He remembered Chopra taking care of his food, arranging a party for him in Amritsar, and treating him with genuine warmth.
  • A role that became iconic: Bajpayee said he was unaware at the time how his small but impactful character would become a cult part of Indian pop culture.
  • Shared during 'Last Man in Tower' promotions: He reflected on this alongside co-star Divya Dutta and director Ben Rekhi in Mumbai.

Mumbai: The National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee has recollected his fondest memories of working on the iconic film "Veer-Zaara."

The actor spoke with IANS along with Divya Dutta and director Ben Rekhi during the promotions of the film "Last Man in Tower" in the Andheri West area of Mumbai.

"I Always Wanted To Work With Him"

He told IANS, "I enjoyed myself while working on that film. For three days I was there on the sets of the film. One day at Film City and 2 days in Amritsar. So, it was (took a dramatic pause) quite good. I shot those two, three sequences that I had. And the biggest advantage was that I was working for Mr. Yash Chopra. I always wanted to work with him."

"But he told me very honestly that he doesn't make films for actors like me. And he was very candid about it. I didn't mind it at all because there's somebody that honest, and a man of that stature. You just love him for his honesty. He didn't promise me anything. But I was very happy just facing the camera under his direction. So, I got a few days to spend with him. And he took great care of me in terms of my food, the party, everything. He just treated me with so much warmth."

A Small Role That Became A Cult Character

While walking down the memory lane, he was unaware that his small but impactful role in the film had become a cult before he was told about the impact of the character on the landscape of India's pop culture.

The film told the story of two star-crossed lovers, from arch-nemesis neighbours, India and Pakistan. Manoj's character in the film is responsible for putting SRK behind bars on the grounds of charges of spying.

"Manoj Is A Guest": Yash Chopra's Warmth In Amritsar

"He got everybody together to party with me in the evening in Amritsar saying, 'Manoj is a guest'. So, everybody should be really there, you know, all of that. I was expecting nothing from the role because it was a Yash Chopra film, there was a superstar in the film, and it was a highly anticipated film, the eyeballs were there," he added.

(With inputs from IANS)