Known for bringing depth and authenticity to all the characters he portrays, Manoj Bajpayee will shock audiences again with The Governor, an economic thriller inspired by the life and contributions of the former RBI Governor. Venkitaramanan in India’s 1991 financial crisis.For Bajpayee, the appeal of the film lies not only in its historical backdrop, but in the remarkable story of a man whose contribution to the nation remains largely unknown. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the actor explained what drew him to the project, portraying a real-life character, and the relevance of the film’s story in today’s era.“The script was very engaging. Although it is an economic thriller set against the backdrop of the 1991 financial crisis, it is not a political film,” says Bajpayee. “It follows the journey of S. Venkitaramanan, who came up with a solution that came out of one of India’s most difficult times. I feel that somewhere, that little seed for the India we see today was sown by this gentleman.”Manoj Bajpayee admitted that it was not easy to step into the shoes of an economist, mainly because economics and mathematics were never his strengths.“Economics and mathematics were never my subjects, so the challenge was to know the terminology and understand what I was saying well enough to deliver it honestly and convincingly,” he shared.The actor revealed that his biggest task was not to understand the subject itself, but to make the complex economic debates appealing to the audience.“Many of these conversations can be quite technical on paper. The real challenge was to find the emotion behind them and present them in a way that would connect with the average audience without being over the top.”Despite the difficulties, Bajpayee is proud of what the team has achieved.“Ultimately, the audience has to see and decide, but we are very proud of the film we have made,” he said.Portraying a real-life personality had its challenges. Bajpayee never had the opportunity to meet Venkitaramanan and had to rely on the limited information available in the public domain.“I never met him. The little information available on the internet helped, but the rest came from my imagination,” he explained. “Our job is not to recreate a person exactly, but to capture the essence of who they were.”The actor describes Venkitaramanan as a quiet and reserved man who had an enormous responsibility.“He was a man of few words. But imagine the pressure he was under. He was not responsible for a state; he was responsible for the whole country. To get under the skin of such a character, you have to rely on imagination and emotional understanding.”Interestingly, Bajpayee did not consult economists or banking professionals while preparing for the role.“For me, the research was about understanding his life, his family, his culture and his environment. Once you know these things, you begin to imagine relationships and emotional responses. External details are important, but understanding a person’s mind and emotions is the most important.”At a time when patriotic cinema is associated with war dramas, espionage thrillers and larger-than-life heroes, Bajpayee believes The Governor tells a different but equally important patriotic story.“This is also patriotic,” he says firmly. “This is the story of a man who stepped forward in a national crisis and made an enormous contribution. His contribution is not widely known. Our job is to tell the story of what he did for the people.”He added, “There are many unsung heroes like him. Not everyone who serves the nation wears a uniform or joins politics. Some quietly do their work and help India move forward.”Working on the film also became a learning experience for the actor himself.“Before the film, I didn’t know much about S. Venkitaramanan. Now, because of the research and the role, I am much more educated about him and his contribution. Every role like this adds to my understanding of people and history. Life is too short.”Rather than a specific scene, it is the overall impact of the story that has stayed with him.“If someone starts talking about Venkitaramanana today, I can talk about him for a long time. That is the script’s lasting impact. As an actor, my focus was to portray her as simply as possible and make an impact through her decisiveness rather than external ways.”When asked what leadership means to him, Bajpayee’s answer reflects the values that resonate throughout the film.“If you are given power, use it to contribute, not to enjoy it. Leadership should guarantee food, employment and education for all citizens. That is what responsibility means.”Well, the conversation wasn’t all serious. When asked to imagine a meeting between Venkitaramanan and his beloved Family Man character Srikant TiwariBajpayee couldn’t stop laughing.“They’re both very educated and exceptional at what they do,” he says. “One is an IAS officer and the other comes from an intelligence background. Their worlds are completely different but they have one thing in common, both were preparing for UPSC. I think they would spend a lot of time talking about the exam, their preparation journey and the challenges it brought.”Despite playing many memorable characters over the years, Bajpayee says there is no end to the stories he wants to tell.“Look at the population of India. Every house is a movie,” he says with a smile. “A life is too short. My endeavor is to do as many different roles as possible. The audience should always be ready to see a new Manoj Bajpayee.”While gearing up for the release of The Governor, Bajpayee sums up the film in three words: “Honest. Genuine. Engaging.”And when asked how life is treating him these days, the actor remains self-settled.“God is kind. The public is kind. In recent years, people have appreciated my work and my efforts. What more can they ask for? I am able to provide for my family. After all, I am just as ordinary as anyone else.”
