Manoj Bajpayee criticises Bollywood’s insider culture, dismisses industry fraternity claims and reveals why he still feels like an outsider.
Vaishnavi Gavankar
October 28, 2026 / 21:05 IST
Manoj Bajpayee
Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee has once again spoken candidly about the Hindi film industry’s insider-outsider debate, questioning the popular belief that Bollywood functions like one big family. Despite spending decades in the industry and earning recognition for his performances, the actor admitted that he still does not feel a sense of belonging.
In a recent conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Bajpayee criticised the industry’s competitive environment, claiming that actors, filmmakers and production houses rarely celebrate each other’s success.
Sharing his perspective on the industry, Bajpayee dismissed the idea of Bollywood being a close-knit fraternity.
“The biggest illusion is that the industry is a fraternity. It isn’t like a family. All the offices are built separately, nobody parties with anyone, nobody calls anyone when they like their film. No actor feels happy on seeing someone else succeed. No director thinks of himself lesser than the other director. No production house is happy to see any other production house earn more money. So, remove all these things from your mind,” he said.
The actor also reflected on his journey as an outsider, explaining that living in a particular Mumbai neighbourhood does not determine an individual’s success in the entertainment industry.
“You need not necessarily have to be from Bandra only. You can be in Malad and still be acting,” he said, emphasising that an actor’s abilities matter more than their connections.
Bajpayee further expressed his frustration with the industry’s repeated claims of unity, suggesting that every individual ultimately has to navigate their professional journey independently.
“Forget about me, anybody from the industry, no matter how many times they say ‘industry is a fraternity’ — No, industry is a bullsh*t. There is no fraternity here. All of us are fighting our own battle, and you should be well-equipped to fight your own battle. Nobody is going to help you. If somebody comes to you, that must be a good day, that’s it,” he stated.
The actor also explained that he prefers concentrating on his professional commitments rather than seeking validation from colleagues. According to Bajpayee, his priority remains completing his work, receiving his payment and returning home without becoming attached to either praise or criticism.
Despite his successful career, the actor maintained that he continues to see himself as someone who does not entirely belong to the industry’s social circles.
On the work front, Manoj Bajpayee is currently seen in Netflix’s recently released thriller Gajab Raat.
Vaishnavi Gavankar is a senior entertainment journalist with over 8 years of experience covering Bollywood, Television, OTT platforms, and regional cinema.
first published: Oct 28, 2026 09:05 pm
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