Exclusive! Manoj Bajpayee calls working with Sharmila Tagore in Gulmohar 'a great matter of privilege'

Manoj Bajpayee plays Sharmila Tagore’s son Arun Batra in the film.

Manoj Bajpayee-Sharmila Tagore in a still from Gulmohar

In his new release, 'Gulmohar,' Manoj Bajpayee plays veteran actor Sharmila Tagore's son Arun Batra. The National Award-winning actor spoke exclusively with OTTplay about his experiences working with the seasoned performer, as well as how he used to watch her movies when he was young.

Bajpayee said, "Sharmilaji ko dekhte hue bade hue hai aur aaj unke sath kaam karne ka mauka mila so it was a matter of great privilege for me. Also I find myself very lucky because she really opened up and she was very warm, with not only with me but with the entire team. And she’s been quite a sport throughout the shoot even now."

He added, "She has given me a lot of freedom and liberty to behave like a friend while we were shooting. Even after the film, she has sent me msgs on many occassions, she is always in touch, she is not the one who has forgotten the memory. She is very willing to keep this association alive. When it comes from that kind of an actor and person, who doesn't need to do it but she keeps the relationship alive which started on a set, and we all just feel honoured."

Further talking about his character in the film, the actor said, "I am working as a businessman here. He is somebody who still believes in the olden times, refusing to change with the new generation, refusing to believe that everything that he believed in is something that is agreeable with the rest of the family."

Gulmohar, directed by Rahul Chittella, and starring Sharmila Tagore, Amol Palekar, Manoj Bajpayee, Simran, Suraj Sharma, Kaveri Seth and Utsavi Jha, is currently streaming only on Disney+ Hotstar.

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