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{{Short description|Indian actor}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Manoj Bajpayee
| name              = Manoj Bajpayee
| image              = Manoj Bajpayee at a promotional for Aiyaary.jpg
| image              = File:Manoj_Bajpayee_at_special_screening_of_Aarakshan.jpg
| caption            = Bajpayee in 2018
| caption            = Bajpayee {{circa|2021}}
| alt                = Manoj Bajpayee is looking away from the camera.
| alt                = Manoj Bajpayee is looking away from the camera.
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age |df=yes|1969|4|23}}
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age |df=yes|1969|4|23}}
| birth_place        = Belwa, [[West Champaran district]], [[Bihar]], India
| birth_place        = [[West Champaran district|Narkatiaganj]], [[Bihar]], India
| occupation        = Actor
| occupation        = Actor
| yearsactive        = 1988–present
| yearsactive        = 1993–present
| othername          = Manoj Bajpai
| othername          = Manoj Bajpai
| spouse            = {{Marriage|[[Neha Bajpai]]|2006}}
| spouse            = {{Marriage|[[Shabana Raza]]|2006}}
| children          = 1
| children          = 1
| honours            = [[Padma Shri]] (2019)
| honours            = [[Padma Shri]] (2019)
| works              = [[Manoj Bajpayee filmography|Full list]]
| awards            = [[List of awards and nominations received by Manoj Bajpayee|Full List]]
}}
}}


'''Manoj Bajpayee''' (born 23 April 1969), also credited as '''Manoj Bajpai''', is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Hindi cinema and has also done [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] and [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] language films. He is the recipient of three [[National Film Awards]], four [[Filmfare Awards]], and two [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]]. In 2019, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honour, the [[Padma Shri]], for his contributions to art.
'''Manoj Bajpayee''' (born 23 April 1969), also transliterated  as '''Manoj Bajpai''', is an Indian actor who predominantly works in [[Hindi cinema]] and has also done [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] and [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] language films. Regarded as one of the finest actors of Hindi cinema, he is the recipient of three [[National Film Awards]], six [[Filmfare Awards]], and two [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]]. In 2019, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honour, the [[Padma Shri]], for his contributions in art.


Born in Belwa, a small village near the city [[Bettiah]] in [[West Champaran district]] Bihar, Bajpayee aspired to become an actor since childhood. He relocated to Delhi at the age of seventeen, and applied for the [[National School of Drama]], only to be rejected four times. He continued to do theatre while studying in college. Bajpayee made his feature film debut with a one-minute role in ''[[Drohkaal]]'' (1994), and a minor role of a dacoit in [[Shekhar Kapur]]'s ''[[Bandit Queen]]'' (1994). After a few unnoticed roles, he played the gangster Bhiku Mhatre in [[Ram Gopal Varma]]'s 1998 crime drama ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'', which proved to be a breakthrough. Bajpayee received the [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]] for the film. He then acted in films such as ''[[Kaun (film)|Kaun]]'' (1999) and ''[[Shool]]'' (1999). For the latter, he won his second Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.
Born in Belwa, a small village near the city [[Bettiah]] in [[West Champaran district]] Bihar, Bajpayee aspired to become an actor since childhood. He relocated to Delhi at the age of seventeen, and applied for the [[National School of Drama]], only to be rejected four times. He continued to do theatre while studying in college. Bajpayee made his feature film debut with a one-minute role in ''[[Drohkaal]]'' (1994), and a minor role of a dacoit in [[Shekhar Kapur]]'s ''[[Bandit Queen]]'' (1994). After a few unnoticed roles, he played the gangster Bhiku Mhatre in [[Ram Gopal Varma]]'s 1998 crime drama ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'', which proved to be a breakthrough. Bajpayee received the [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]] for the film. He then acted in films such as ''[[Kaun?]]'' (1999) and ''[[Shool]]'' (1999). For the latter, he won his second Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.


Bajpayee won the [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (Feature Film)|Special Jury National Award]] for ''[[Pinjar (film)|Pinjar]]'' (2003). This was followed by a series of brief, unnoticed roles in films that failed to propel his career forward. He then played a greedy politician in the political thriller ''[[Raajneeti]]'' (2010), which was well-received. In 2012, Bajpayee played Sardar Khan in ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1|Gangs of Wasseypur]]''. His next roles were of a [[naxalite]] in ''[[Chakravyuh (2012 film)|Chakravyuh]]'' (2012), and a [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI officer]] in ''[[Special 26]]'' (2013). In 2016, he portrayed professor [[Ramchandra Siras]], in [[Hansal Mehta]]'s biographical drama ''[[Aligarh (film)|Aligarh]]'', for which he won his third [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]] and the Best Actor Award at the [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]] in 2016. He won the [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] at the [[67th National Film Awards]] for his performance in the film ''[[Bhonsle (film)|Bhonsle]]''.
Bajpayee won the [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film)|Special Jury National Award]] for ''[[Pinjar (film)|Pinjar]]'' (2003). This was followed by a series of brief, unnoticed roles in films that failed to propel his career forward. He then played a greedy politician in the political thriller ''[[Raajneeti]]'' (2010), which was highly appreciated. In 2012, Bajpayee played critically acclaimed lead character ''Sardar Khan'' in ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1|Gangs of Wasseypur]]''. His next roles were of a [[naxalite]] in ''[[Chakravyuh (2012 film)|Chakravyuh]]'' (2012), and a [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI officer]] in ''[[Special 26]]'' (2013). In 2016, he portrayed professor [[Ramchandra Siras]], in [[Hansal Mehta]]'s biographical drama ''[[Aligarh (film)|Aligarh]]'', for which he won his third [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]] and the Best Actor Award at the [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]] in 2016. He won the [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] at the [[67th National Film Awards]] for his performance in the film ''[[Bhonsle (film)|Bhonsle]]''. He also won [[2021 Filmfare OTT Awards|Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actor]], for ''[[The Family Man (Indian TV series)|The Family Man]]'' (2021).<ref name="the family man">{{cite web|last=Sharma|first=Sandeep|title=Filmfare OTT Best Actor Award|url=https://news24online.com/news/entertainment/filmfare-ott-awards-2021-manoj-bajpayee-samantha-clinch-top-honours-family-man-475ba28d/|website=News24online}}</ref>


==Early and personal life==
==Early and personal life==
[[File:Neha-Manoj-Bajpai.jpg|thumb|right|Bajpayee with his wife [[Neha Bajpai]] at the premiere of ''[[Raajneeti]]'' in 2010]]
[[File:Neha-Manoj-Bajpai.jpg|thumb|right|Bajpayee with his wife [[Shabana Raza]] at the premiere of ''[[Raajneeti]]'' in 2010]]
Bajpayee was born on 23 April 1969 in a small village called Belwa near the city [[Bettiah]] in [[West Champaran]], [[Bihar]].<ref name="koimoi">{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/actor/manoj-bajpai/|title=Manoj Bajpai's Biography|publisher=[[Koimoi]]|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002042715/http://www.koimoi.com/actor/manoj-bajpai/|archive-date=2 October 2015}}</ref> He is the second child among his five other siblings, and was named after actor [[Manoj Kumar]].<ref name="suicide">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/I-wanted-to-commit-suicide-after-I-was-rejected-by-NSD-Manoj-Bajpayee/articleshow/18399539.cms?referral=PM|title=I wanted to commit suicide after I was rejected by NSD: Manoj Bajpayee|last=Gupta|first=Priya|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=9 February 2013|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131144520/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/I-wanted-to-commit-suicide-after-I-was-rejected-by-NSD-Manoj-Bajpayee/articleshow/18399539.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=31 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="indie">{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ul0O5gNwKGArQhedU17b7J/Manoj-Bajpayee-The-original-indie-star.html|title=Manoj Bajpayee: The original indie star|last=Bhatia|first=Uday|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|date=7 December 2015|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208233123/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ul0O5gNwKGArQhedU17b7J/Manoj-Bajpayee-The-original-indie-star.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> One of his younger sisters Poonam Dubey, is a fashion designer in the film industry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/brother-manoj-bajpayee-pushed-me-into-designing-poonam-dubey-113101200383_1.html|title=Brother Manoj Bajpayee pushed me into designing: Poonam Dubey|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=12 October 2013|access-date=10 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211061336/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/brother-manoj-bajpayee-pushed-me-into-designing-poonam-dubey-113101200383_1.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> His father was a farmer and his mother was a housewife. As a son of a farmer, Bajpayee would do farming during their vacation.<ref name="suicide" /> Since childhood, he wanted to become an actor.<ref name="bb">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/10/22/stories/2002102200280400.htm|title=From Bihar to Bollywood&nbsp;... a long journey|last=Salam|first=Ziya Us|author-link=Ziya Us Salam|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=22 October 2002|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040116022313/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/10/22/stories/2002102200280400.htm|archive-date=16 January 2004}}</ref>
Bajpayee was born in a [[brahmin]] family<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manoj Bajpayee believes in Lord Shiva - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/manoj-bajpayee-believes-in-lord-shiva/articleshow/9063387.cms|access-date=2022-01-02|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> on 23 April 1969 in a small village called Belwa near the city [[Bettiah]] in [[West Champaran]], [[Bihar]].<ref name="koimoi">{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/actor/manoj-bajpai/|title=Manoj Bajpai's Biography|publisher=[[Koimoi]]|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002042715/http://www.koimoi.com/actor/manoj-bajpai/|archive-date=2 October 2015}}</ref> He is the second child among his five other siblings, and was named after actor [[Manoj Kumar]].<ref name="suicide">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/I-wanted-to-commit-suicide-after-I-was-rejected-by-NSD-Manoj-Bajpayee/articleshow/18399539.cms?referral=PM|title=I wanted to commit suicide after I was rejected by NSD: Manoj Bajpayee|last=Gupta|first=Priya|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=9 February 2013|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131144520/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/I-wanted-to-commit-suicide-after-I-was-rejected-by-NSD-Manoj-Bajpayee/articleshow/18399539.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=31 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="indie">{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ul0O5gNwKGArQhedU17b7J/Manoj-Bajpayee-The-original-indie-star.html|title=Manoj Bajpayee: The original indie star|last=Bhatia|first=Uday|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]|date=7 December 2015|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208233123/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ul0O5gNwKGArQhedU17b7J/Manoj-Bajpayee-The-original-indie-star.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> One of his younger sisters Poonam Dubey, is a fashion designer in the film industry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/brother-manoj-bajpayee-pushed-me-into-designing-poonam-dubey-113101200383_1.html|title=Brother Manoj Bajpayee pushed me into designing: Poonam Dubey|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=12 October 2013|access-date=10 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211061336/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/brother-manoj-bajpayee-pushed-me-into-designing-poonam-dubey-113101200383_1.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> His father was a farmer and his mother was a housewife. As a son of a farmer, Bajpayee would do farming during their vacation.<ref name="suicide" /> Since childhood, he wanted to become an actor.<ref name="bb">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/10/22/stories/2002102200280400.htm|title=From Bihar to Bollywood&nbsp;... a long journey|last=Salam|first=Ziya Us|author-link=Ziya Us Salam|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=22 October 2002|access-date=6 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040116022313/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/10/22/stories/2002102200280400.htm|archive-date=16 January 2004}}</ref>


His father had difficulty collecting money for their education. He studied in a "hut school" till fourth standard, and later did his schooling at [[Khrist Raja High School, Bettiah]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mar 17 |first1=Abhay Mohan Jha / Updated |title='Aligarh'-acclaimed actor essays double role in Bettiah {{!}} Patna News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/aligarh-acclaimed-actor-essays-double-role-in-bettiah/articleshow/51448217.cms |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref name="indie" /> He completed his 12th class from Maharani Janaki College in Bettiah.<ref name="bb" />
His father had difficulty collecting money for their education. He studied in a "hut school" till fourth standard, and later did his schooling at [[Khrist Raja High School, Bettiah]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mar 17 |first1=Abhay Mohan Jha / Updated |title='Aligarh'-acclaimed actor essays double role in Bettiah {{!}} Patna News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/aligarh-acclaimed-actor-essays-double-role-in-bettiah/articleshow/51448217.cms |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref name="indie" /> He completed his 12th class from Maharani Janaki Kunwar College in Bettiah.<ref name="bb" />


He moved to New Delhi at the age of seventeen and went to [[Satyawati College|Satyawati]], then to [[Ramjas College]], [[Delhi University]].<ref name="indie" /> Bajpayee had heard about the [[National School of Drama]] from actors such as [[Om Puri]] and [[Naseeruddin Shah]], so he applied. He was rejected three times and wanted to commit suicide afterwards.<ref name="suicide" /> He then attended director and acting coach [[Barry John (theatre director)|Barry John]]'s workshop after actor [[Raghubir Yadav]]'s suggestion. Impressed by Bajpayee's acting, John hired him to assist him in his teaching.<ref name="indie" /> After that he applied at the National School of Drama for the fourth time, and they offered him a teaching position at the school instead.<ref name="indie" />
He moved to New Delhi at the age of seventeen and went to [[Satyawati College|Satyawati]], then to [[Ramjas College]], [[Delhi University]].<ref name="indie" /> Bajpayee had heard about the [[National School of Drama]] from actors such as [[Om Puri]] and [[Naseeruddin Shah]], so he applied. He was rejected three times and wanted to commit suicide afterward.<ref name="suicide" /> He then attended director and acting coach [[Barry John (theatre director)|Barry John]]'s workshop after actor [[Raghubir Yadav]]'s suggestion. Impressed by Bajpayee's acting, John hired him to assist him in his teaching.<ref name="indie" /> After that he applied at the National School of Drama for the fourth time, and they offered him a teaching position at the school instead.<ref name="indie" />


Bajpayee was married to a girl from Delhi, but got divorced during his period of struggle.<ref name="koimoi" /> He met actress [[Neha (actress)|Shabana Raza]], who is also known as Neha, right after her debut film ''[[Kareeb]]'' (1998). The couple married in 2006 and they have a daughter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-just-happy-being-mrs-manoj-bajpai-neha/story-U1BfBuTMkOrQr4JPRdzpQK.html|title=I was just happy being Mrs. Manoj Bajpai: Neha|last=Jha|first=Subhash K.|author-link=Subhash K. Jha|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=5 March 2008|access-date=9 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205125831/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-just-happy-being-mrs-manoj-bajpai-neha/story-U1BfBuTMkOrQr4JPRdzpQK.html|archive-date=5 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/manoj-bajpayee-my-wife-rarely-praises-me-975.html|title=Manoj Bajpayee: ''My wife rarely praises me''|last=Sharma|first=Suman|work=[[Filmfare]]|date=1 August 2012|access-date=9 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222135637/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/manoj-bajpayee-my-wife-rarely-praises-me-975.html|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>
Bajpayee was married to a girl from Delhi, but got divorced during his period of struggle.<ref name="koimoi" /> He met actress [[Neha (actress)|Shabana Raza]], who is also known as Neha, right after her debut film ''[[Kareeb]]'' (1998). The couple married in 2006 and they have a daughter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-just-happy-being-mrs-manoj-bajpai-neha/story-U1BfBuTMkOrQr4JPRdzpQK.html|title=I was just happy being Mrs. Manoj Bajpai: Neha|last=Jha|first=Subhash K.|author-link=Subhash K. Jha|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=5 March 2008|access-date=9 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205125831/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-just-happy-being-mrs-manoj-bajpai-neha/story-U1BfBuTMkOrQr4JPRdzpQK.html|archive-date=5 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/manoj-bajpayee-my-wife-rarely-praises-me-975.html|title=Manoj Bajpayee: ''My wife rarely praises me''|last=Sharma|first=Suman|work=[[Filmfare]]|date=1 August 2012|access-date=9 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222135637/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/manoj-bajpayee-my-wife-rarely-praises-me-975.html|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>
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Following his one-minute role in [[Govind Nihalani]]'s ''[[Drohkaal]]'' (1994),<ref name="bb" /> Bajpayee acted in the biographical drama ''[[Bandit Queen]]'' (1994). [[Tigmanshu Dhulia]], the casting director of the film suggested his name to its director [[Shekhar Kapur]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/badlands-bad-guy/article3525924.ece|title=Badland's bad guy|work=The Hindu|date=14 June 2012|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203081458/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/badlands-bad-guy/article3525924.ece|archive-date=3 February 2018}}</ref> Bajpai was considered for the role of dacoit Vikram Mallah in the film, which eventually went to [[Nirmal Pandey]].<ref name="indie" /> Bajpayee got the role of [[dacoit]] Mann Singh in the film. During that time, he also did a television serial called ''Kalakaar'', directed by [[Hansal Mehta]] and [[Imtihaan (TV show)|Imtihaan]] (Doordarshan).<ref name="indie" />
Following his one-minute role in [[Govind Nihalani]]'s ''[[Drohkaal]]'' (1994),<ref name="bb" /> Bajpayee acted in the biographical drama ''[[Bandit Queen]]'' (1994). [[Tigmanshu Dhulia]], the casting director of the film suggested his name to its director [[Shekhar Kapur]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/badlands-bad-guy/article3525924.ece|title=Badland's bad guy|work=The Hindu|date=14 June 2012|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203081458/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/badlands-bad-guy/article3525924.ece|archive-date=3 February 2018}}</ref> Bajpai was considered for the role of dacoit Vikram Mallah in the film, which eventually went to [[Nirmal Pandey]].<ref name="indie" /> Bajpayee got the role of [[dacoit]] Mann Singh in the film. During that time, he also did a television serial called ''Kalakaar'', directed by [[Hansal Mehta]] and [[Imtihaan (TV show)|Imtihaan]] (Doordarshan).<ref name="indie" />


Bajpayee was a struggling actor when [[Mahesh Bhatt]] offered him the soap opera ''[[Swabhimaan]]'' (1995), which aired on [[Doordarshan]].<ref name="tete">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120701/jsp/7days/story_15677164.jsp|title=The industry makes me sit at home most of the time|last=Verma|first=Smitha|work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]|date=1 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109141204/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120701/jsp/7days/story_15677164.jsp#.VmQ067Kqqkp|archive-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> He agreed to do the serial at a low fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/photos/photos-30-bollywood-stars-and-their-tales-of-struggle/4568/39842|title=30 Bollywood stars and their tales of struggle|work=[[Mid-Day]]|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208094352/http://www.mid-day.com/photos/photos-30-bollywood-stars-and-their-tales-of-struggle/4568/39842|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Next, Bajpayee appeared in minor roles in films such as ''[[Dastak (1996 film)|Dastak]]'' (1996) and ''[[Tamanna (1997 film)|Tamanna]]'' (1997).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/jul/11man.htm|title=Powerful performer|last=Rajyadhyaksha|first=Mrudula|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=11 July 1998|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105121453/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/jul/11man.htm|archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> Director [[Ram Gopal Varma]] discovered Bajpayee when he was casting for ''[[Daud (film)|Daud]]'' (1997), a comedy film, where he had a supporting role. Following completion of the filming, Varma expressed his regret for offering Bajpayee a minor role.<ref name="kind">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-satya-success-manoj-bajpai-ram-gopal-varma-hold-promise-for-the-future/1/264870.html|title=Two of a kind|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=[[India Today]]|date=31 August 1998|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162922/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-satya-success-manoj-bajpai-ram-gopal-varma-hold-promise-for-the-future/1/264870.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> He then promised Bajpayee  a prominent role in his next film.<ref name="tete" /> ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'' (1998), a crime drama, was their next film together. In the film, Bajpayee played gangster Bhiku Mhatre, who accompanies the title character to form their nexus in the Mumbai underworld.<ref name="man">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-satya-starring-urmila-matondkar-j-d-chakravarty-manoj-bajpai/1/264589.html|title=Nowhere man|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=India Today|date=20 July 1998|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208120158/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-satya-starring-urmila-matondkar-j-d-chakravarty-manoj-bajpai/1/264589.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>
Bajpayee was a struggling actor when [[Mahesh Bhatt]] offered him the soap opera ''[[Swabhimaan]]'' (1995), which aired on [[Doordarshan]].<ref name="tete">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120701/jsp/7days/story_15677164.jsp|title=The industry makes me sit at home most of the time|last=Verma|first=Smitha|work=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]|date=1 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109141204/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120701/jsp/7days/story_15677164.jsp#.VmQ067Kqqkp|archive-date=9 November 2014}}</ref> He agreed to do the serial at a low fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/photos/photos-30-bollywood-stars-and-their-tales-of-struggle/4568/39842|title=30 Bollywood stars and their tales of struggle|work=[[Mid-Day]]|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208094352/http://www.mid-day.com/photos/photos-30-bollywood-stars-and-their-tales-of-struggle/4568/39842|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> Next, Bajpayee appeared in minor roles in films such as ''[[Dastak (1996 film)|Dastak]]'' (1996) and ''[[Tamanna (1997 film)|Tamanna]]'' (1997).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/jul/11man.htm|title=Powerful performer|last=Rajyadhyaksha|first=Mrudula|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=11 July 1998|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105121453/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/jul/11man.htm|archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> Director [[Ram Gopal Varma]] discovered Bajpayee when he was casting for ''[[Daud (film)|Daud]]'' (1997), a comedy film, where he had a supporting role. Following completion of the filming, Varma expressed his regret for offering Bajpayee a minor role.<ref name="kind">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-satya-success-manoj-bajpai-ram-gopal-varma-hold-promise-for-the-future/1/264870.html|title=Two of a kind|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=[[India Today]]|date=31 August 1998|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162922/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-satya-success-manoj-bajpai-ram-gopal-varma-hold-promise-for-the-future/1/264870.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> He then promised Bajpayee  a prominent role in his next film.<ref name="tete" /> ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'' (1998), a crime drama, was their next film together. In the film, Bajpayee played gangster Bhiku Mhatre, who accompanies the title character to form their nexus in the Mumbai underworld.<ref name="man">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-satya-starring-urmila-matondkar-j-d-chakravarty-manoj-bajpai/1/264589.html|title=Nowhere man|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=India Today|date=20 July 1998|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208120158/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-satya-starring-urmila-matondkar-j-d-chakravarty-manoj-bajpai/1/264589.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>


''Satya'' was mostly shot in the real slums of Mumbai.<ref name="man" /> It was screened at the 1998 [[International Film Festival of India]] and opened to mostly positive reviews.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1998Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1998.pdf|title=The Indian Panorama 1998|publisher=[[International Film Festival of India]]|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105726/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1998Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1998.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> [[Anupama Chopra]] called Bajpayee and others' performances "[..] so good that you can almost smell the Mumbai grime on their sweaty bodies."<ref name="man" /> The film was a commercial success, and Bajpayee won the [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]] for his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Years/year_world_total/1998|title=Top Worldwide Grossers 1998|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|access-date=4 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318000438/http://boxofficeindia.com/Years/year_world_total/1998#.VbxZD9xViko|archive-date=18 March 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|title=46th National Film Awards|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|access-date=12 March 2012|pages=28–29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310180429/http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|archive-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> ''[[Filmfare]]'' later included his performance in the 2010 issue of Bollywood's "Top 80 Iconic Performances".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-310-953.html|title=80 Iconic Performances 3/10|work=[[Filmfare]]|date=4 June 2010|access-date=12 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627103954/http://www.filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-310-953.html|archive-date=27 June 2011}}</ref> Bajpayee then collaborated with Verma in the year 1999 with ''[[Kaun (film)|Kaun]]'' and ''[[Shool]]''; with Verma directing the former and producing the latter. ''Kaun'', was a [[whodunit]] with only three characters in a house, where Bajpayee played an annoying talkative stranger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-manoj-bajpayees-top-10-performances/20130903.htm#8|title=Manoj Bajpayee's Top 10 Performances|last=Tuteja|first=Joginder|work=Rediff.com|date=September 2013|access-date=28 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105115549/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-manoj-bajpayees-top-10-performances/20130903.htm#8|archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> The film was a [[box office bomb|box office disappointment]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oW0-CQAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+preparing+for+shool&pg=PA204|title=Studying Indian Cinema|last=Ahmed|first=Omar|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|year=2015|isbn=978-0-9932384-9-9|page=204|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152658/https://books.google.com/books?id=oW0-CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA204&lpg=PA204&dq=manoj+bajpai+preparing+for+shool&source=bl&ots=5-g4HZEh7f&sig=cJppv1WqJPYq0wHUlD_oqjgy2m8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjE-fPs2rDJAhXICI4KHaITB8EQ6AEIOTAG#v=onepage&q=manoj%20bajpai%20preparing%20for%20shool&f=false|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> ''Shool'' saw him play the role of an honest police officer who finds himself in the politician-criminal nexus of the [[Motihari]] district in Bihar. ''[[Sify]]'' labelled Bajpayee's performance in the film as "truly amazing [..] especially the emotional scenes with [[Raveena Tandon]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/shool-review-bollywood-pcltSrcffcfcb.html|title=Shool|publisher=[[Sify]]|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211134801/http://www.sify.com/movies/shool-review-bollywood-pcltSrcffcfcb.html|archive-date=11 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The film won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi]], with Bajpayee winning the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/47th_nff_2000.pdf|title=47th National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=13 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022161229/http://dff.nic.in/2011/47th_nff_2000.pdf|archive-date=22 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He also acted in the Telugu romantic film ''[[Prema Katha]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prema-katha/|title=Prema Katha (1999)|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=28 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312075343/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prema-katha/|archive-date=12 March 2016}}</ref>
''Satya'' was mostly shot in the real slums of Mumbai.<ref name="man" /> It was screened at the 1998 [[International Film Festival of India]] and opened to mostly positive reviews.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1998Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1998.pdf|title=The Indian Panorama 1998|publisher=[[International Film Festival of India]]|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105726/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1998Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1998.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> [[Anupama Chopra]] called Bajpayee and others' performances "[..] so good that you can almost smell the Mumbai grime on their sweaty bodies."<ref name="man" /> The film was a commercial success, and Bajpayee won the [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] and [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]] for his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/Years/year_world_total/1998|title=Top Worldwide Grossers 1998|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|access-date=4 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318000438/http://boxofficeindia.com/Years/year_world_total/1998#.VbxZD9xViko|archive-date=18 March 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|title=46th National Film Awards|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|access-date=12 March 2012|pages=28–29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310180429/http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|archive-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> ''[[Filmfare]]'' later included his performance in the 2010 issue of Bollywood's "Top 80 Iconic Performances".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-310-953.html|title=80 Iconic Performances 3/10|work=[[Filmfare]]|date=4 June 2010|access-date=12 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627103954/http://www.filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-310-953.html|archive-date=27 June 2011}}</ref> Bajpayee then collaborated with Verma in the year 1999 with ''[[Kaun?]]'' and ''[[Shool]]''; with Verma directing the former and producing the latter. ''Kaun'', was a [[whodunit]] with only three characters in a house, where Bajpayee played an annoying talkative stranger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-manoj-bajpayees-top-10-performances/20130903.htm#8|title=Manoj Bajpayee's Top 10 Performances|last=Tuteja|first=Joginder|work=Rediff.com|date=September 2013|access-date=28 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105115549/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-manoj-bajpayees-top-10-performances/20130903.htm#8|archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> The film was a [[Box-office bomb|box office disappointment]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oW0-CQAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+preparing+for+shool&pg=PA204|title=Studying Indian Cinema|last=Ahmed|first=Omar|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|year=2015|isbn=978-0-9932384-9-9|pages=204|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152658/https://books.google.com/books?id=oW0-CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA204&lpg=PA204&dq=manoj+bajpai+preparing+for+shool&source=bl&ots=5-g4HZEh7f&sig=cJppv1WqJPYq0wHUlD_oqjgy2m8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjE-fPs2rDJAhXICI4KHaITB8EQ6AEIOTAG#v=onepage&q=manoj%20bajpai%20preparing%20for%20shool&f=false|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref> ''Shool'' saw him play the role of an honest police officer who finds himself in the politician-criminal nexus of the [[Motihari]] district in Bihar. ''[[Sify]]'' labelled Bajpayee's performance in the film as "truly amazing [..] especially the emotional scenes with [[Raveena Tandon]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/shool-review-bollywood-pcltSrcffcfcb.html|title=Shool|website=[[Sify]]|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211134801/http://www.sify.com/movies/shool-review-bollywood-pcltSrcffcfcb.html|archive-date=11 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film won the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi]], with Bajpayee winning the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/47th_nff_2000.pdf|title=47th National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=13 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022161229/http://dff.nic.in/2011/47th_nff_2000.pdf|archive-date=22 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He also acted in the Telugu romantic film ''[[Prema Katha]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prema-katha/|title=Prema Katha (1999)|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=28 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312075343/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prema-katha/|archive-date=12 March 2016}}</ref>


The year 2000 started for Bajpayee with the comedy ''[[Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!!]]'' and the crime drama ''[[Ghaath]]'', both alongside [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Das|first=Ronjita|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/09ghaath.htm|title=A cop-out!|work=Rediff.com|date=9 December 2000|access-date=4 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140623/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/09ghaath.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> A dialogue from the former sparked controversy in some political parties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/blog/its-time-for-raj-thackeray-to-wake-up_475.html|title=It's time for Raj Thackeray to wake up|last=Srivastava|first=Ritesh K|publisher=[[Zee News]]|date=11 October 2009|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208153432/http://zeenews.india.com/blog/its-time-for-raj-thackeray-to-wake-up_475.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Raj-Thackeray-is-a-master-rapist-Hansal-Mehta/articleshow/5096770.cms|title=Raj Thackeray is a master rapist: Hansal Mehta|work=The Times of India|date=7 October 2009|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221233754/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Raj-Thackeray-is-a-master-rapist-Hansal-Mehta/articleshow/5096770.cms|archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> Bajpayee's first release in 2001 was [[Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra]]'s supernatural thriller ''[[Aks (2001 film)|Aks]]''. His negative portrayal of Raghavan Ghatge, a criminal who dies and is reincarnated in the body of Manu Verma (played by [[Amitabh Bachchan]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/20/stories/09200223.htm|title=Film Review: Aks|date=20 July 2001|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203081458/http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/20/stories/09200223.htm|archive-date=3 February 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> garnered him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role]] nomination.<ref name="koimoi" /> It was followed by [[Shyam Benegal]]'s ''[[Zubeidaa]]'', co-starring [[Rekha]] and [[Karishma Kapoor]]. He played Maharaja Vijayendra Singh of [[Fatehpur, Rajasthan|Fatehpur]], a polo enthusiast prince with two wives. His character was inspired by [[Hanwant Singh]], the Maharaja of [[Jodhpur]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/how-bollywood-actors-have-fared-in-their-royal-avatars/15592198|title=How Bollywood actors have fared in their royal avatars|last=Banerjee|first=Urmimala|work=Mid Day|date=11 September 2014|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208124715/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/how-bollywood-actors-have-fared-in-their-royal-avatars/15592198|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>
The year 2000 started for Bajpayee with the comedy ''[[Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar!!]]'' and the crime drama ''[[Ghaath (2000 film)|Ghaath]]'', both alongside [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Das|first=Ronjita|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/09ghaath.htm|title=A cop-out!|work=Rediff.com|date=9 December 2000|access-date=4 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140623/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/dec/09ghaath.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> A dialogue from the former sparked controversy in some political parties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/blog/its-time-for-raj-thackeray-to-wake-up_475.html|title=It's time for Raj Thackeray to wake up|last=Srivastava|first=Ritesh K|publisher=[[Zee News]]|date=11 October 2009|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208153432/http://zeenews.india.com/blog/its-time-for-raj-thackeray-to-wake-up_475.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Raj-Thackeray-is-a-master-rapist-Hansal-Mehta/articleshow/5096770.cms|title=Raj Thackeray is a master rapist: Hansal Mehta|work=The Times of India|date=7 October 2009|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221233754/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Raj-Thackeray-is-a-master-rapist-Hansal-Mehta/articleshow/5096770.cms|archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> Bajpayee's first release in 2001 was [[Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra]]'s supernatural thriller ''[[Aks (2001 film)|Aks]]''. His negative portrayal of Raghavan Ghatge, a criminal who dies and is reincarnated in the body of Manu Verma (played by [[Amitabh Bachchan]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/20/stories/09200223.htm|title=Film Review: Aks|date=20 July 2001|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203081458/http://www.thehindu.com/2001/07/20/stories/09200223.htm|archive-date=3 February 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> garnered him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role]] nomination.<ref name="koimoi" /> It was followed by [[Shyam Benegal]]'s ''[[Zubeidaa]]'', co-starring [[Rekha]] and [[Karisma Kapoor]]. He played Maharaja Vijayendra Singh of [[Fatehpur, Rajasthan|Fatehpur]], a polo enthusiast prince with two wives. His character was inspired by [[Hanwant Singh]], the Maharaja of [[Jodhpur]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/how-bollywood-actors-have-fared-in-their-royal-avatars/15592198|title=How Bollywood actors have fared in their royal avatars|last=Banerjee|first=Urmimala|work=[[Mid-Day]]|date=11 September 2014|access-date=27 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208124715/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/how-bollywood-actors-have-fared-in-their-royal-avatars/15592198|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>


=== 2002–09: Career struggle ===
=== 2002–09: Career struggle ===
Bajpayee's sole release of 2002 was the [[Road movie|road]] thriller ''[[Road (film)|Road]]''. He played the antagonist in the film, a hitchhiker who turns out to be a psychopathic killer, after taking a lift from a couple (played by [[Vivek Oberoi]] and [[Antara Mali]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/sep/27road.htm|title=So, does Vivek live up to the hype?|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=27 September 2002|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131719/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/sep/27road.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> Bajpayee received another Filmfare nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role, for the film.<ref name="koimoi" /> ''[[Pinjar (film)|Pinjar]]'' (2003), a period drama, set during the [[partition of India]], was Bajpayee's first release of the year. Directed by [[Chandraprakash Dwivedi]], the film was based on a [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] novel of [[Pinjar (novel)|the same name]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-of-chandraprakash-dwivedi-pinjar/1/205480.html|title=Slow saga|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=India Today|date=10 November 2003|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032436/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-of-chandraprakash-dwivedi-pinjar/1/205480.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He received the [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (Feature Film)|National Film Special Jury Award]] for his performance in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|title=51st National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=15 March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821032408/http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|archive-date=21 August 2013}}</ref> He subsequently portrayed [[Grenadier#India|Grenadier]] [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]] in [[J. P. Dutta]]'s ensemble [[war film]] ''[[LOC Kargil]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/kargil/305-the-real-story.html|title=The Real Story behind LOC Kargil Movie|publisher=[[Bharat Rakshak]]|last=Patel|first=Y. I|date=12 October 2006|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024928/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/kargil/305-the-real-story.html|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It was based on the [[Kargil War]], and Bajpayee was nominated for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for it.<ref name="koimoi" /> Both the films were commercially unsuccessful.<ref name="BOI">{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Star_Cast/actor_detail/manoj_bajpai/actor|title=Manoj Bajpai Filmography|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015231/http://boxofficeindia.com/Star_Cast/actor_detail/manoj_bajpai/actor#.Vmp50LKqqkp|archive-date=17 November 2015 }}</ref>
Bajpayee's sole release of 2002 was the [[Road movie|road]] thriller ''[[Road (2002 film)|Road]]''. He played the antagonist in the film, a hitchhiker who turns out to be a psychopathic killer, after taking a lift from a couple (played by [[Vivek Oberoi]] and [[Antara Mali]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/sep/27road.htm|title=So, does Vivek live up to the hype?|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=27 September 2002|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131719/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/sep/27road.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> Bajpayee received another Filmfare nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role, for the film.<ref name="koimoi" /> ''[[Pinjar (film)|Pinjar]]'' (2003), a period drama, set during the [[partition of India]], was Bajpayee's first release of the year. Directed by [[Chandraprakash Dwivedi]], the film was based on a [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] novel of [[Pinjar (novel)|the same name]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-of-chandraprakash-dwivedi-pinjar/1/205480.html|title=Slow saga|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=India Today|date=10 November 2003|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032436/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/film-review-of-chandraprakash-dwivedi-pinjar/1/205480.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He received the [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (Feature Film)|National Film Special Jury Award]] for his performance in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|title=51st National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=15 March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821032408/http://dff.nic.in/2011/51st_nff_2004.pdf|archive-date=21 August 2013}}</ref> He subsequently portrayed [[Grenadier#India|Grenadier]] [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]] in [[J. P. Dutta]]'s ensemble [[war film]] ''[[LOC: Kargil]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/kargil/305-the-real-story.html|title=The Real Story behind LOC Kargil Movie|publisher=[[Bharat Rakshak]]|last=Patel|first=Y. I|date=12 October 2006|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024928/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/kargil/305-the-real-story.html|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It was based on the [[Kargil War]], and Bajpayee was nominated for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for it.<ref name="koimoi" /> Both the films were commercially unsuccessful.<ref name="BOI">{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/Star_Cast/actor_detail/manoj_bajpai/actor|title=Manoj Bajpai Filmography|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015231/http://boxofficeindia.com/Star_Cast/actor_detail/manoj_bajpai/actor#.Vmp50LKqqkp|archive-date=17 November 2015 }}</ref>


Bajpayee's next roles were in ''[[Jaago (2004 film)|Jaago]]'' (2004) opposite Raveena Tandon, [[Makrand Deshpande]]'s ''Hanan'' and the thriller ''Inteqam''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/503635/Inteqam|title=Inteqam|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021102/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/503635/Inteqam|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In ''Jaago'', he played a police officer who takes the situation into his own hands, after his 10-year-old daughter is raped and killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/feb/06jaago.htm|title=Why make a film on rape?|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=6 February 2004|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020755/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/feb/06jaago.htm|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> The same year, he appeared in a supporting role in [[Yash Chopra]]'s romantic drama ''[[Veer Zaara]]'' (2004). The film was screened at the [[Berlin International Film Festival|55th Berlin Film Festival]], and grossed over {{INRConvert|940|m}} globally, becoming [[Bollywood films of 2004|the highest-grossing film of the year]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Yash Chopra on Berlin Film Festival Jury|date=18 January 2006|url=http://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm|publisher=[[Yash Raj Films]]|access-date=17 October 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618144056/http://www1.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm|archive-date=18 June 2007}}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org showProd">{{cite web|title=Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU= |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=9 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015223626/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU%3D |archive-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2005, Bajpayee acted in [[Dharmesh Darshan]]'s drama ''[[Bewafaa (2005 film)|Bewafaa]]'', the thriller ''[[Fareb (2005 film)|Fareb]]'', and the English language film ''Return to Rajapur''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/feb/25bewaf.htm|title=Hum Aapke Hain Corn!|last=Sen|first=Raja|author-link=Raja Sen|work=Rediff.com|date=25 February 2005|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125657/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/feb/25bewaf.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fareb movie review|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/jul102005/movies174158200579.asp|access-date=24 November 2014|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=10 July 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022236/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/jul102005/movies174158200579.asp|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/512cf9c61c7d76e046001f63-return-to-rajapur|title=Return to Rajapur|publisher=[[Tribeca Film Festival]]|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023218/https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/512cf9c61c7d76e046001f63-return-to-rajapur|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He also acted in the Telugu romance ''[[Happy (2006 film)|Happy]]'' (2006).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article3246001.ece|title=It's a 'Happy' flick all the way|work=The Hindu|date=28 January 2006|access-date=3 January 2010}}</ref>
Bajpayee's next roles were in ''[[Jaago (2004 film)|Jaago]]'' (2004) opposite Raveena Tandon, [[Makarand Deshpande]]'s ''Hanan'' and the thriller ''Inteqam''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/503635/Inteqam|title=Inteqam|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021102/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/503635/Inteqam|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In ''Jaago'', he played a police officer who takes the situation into his own hands, after his 10-year-old daughter is raped and killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/feb/06jaago.htm|title=Why make a film on rape?|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=6 February 2004|access-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020755/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/feb/06jaago.htm|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> The same year, he appeared in a supporting role in [[Yash Chopra]]'s romantic drama ''[[Veer-Zaara]]'' (2004). The film was screened at the [[Berlin International Film Festival|55th Berlin Film Festival]], and grossed over {{INRConvert|940|m}} globally, becoming [[List of Bollywood films of 2004|the highest-grossing film of the year]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Yash Chopra on Berlin Film Festival Jury|date=18 January 2006|url=http://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm|publisher=[[Yash Raj Films]]|access-date=17 October 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618144056/http://www1.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm|archive-date=18 June 2007}}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org showProd">{{cite web|title=Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU= |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=9 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015223626/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU%3D |archive-date=15 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2005, Bajpayee acted in [[Dharmesh Darshan]]'s drama ''[[Bewafaa (2005 film)|Bewafaa]]'', the thriller ''[[Fareb (2005 film)|Fareb]]'', and the English language film ''Return to Rajapur''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/feb/25bewaf.htm|title=Hum Aapke Hain Corn!|last=Sen|first=Raja|author-link=Raja Sen|work=Rediff.com|date=25 February 2005|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125657/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/feb/25bewaf.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fareb movie review|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/jul102005/movies174158200579.asp|access-date=24 November 2014|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=10 July 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022236/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/jul102005/movies174158200579.asp|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/512cf9c61c7d76e046001f63-return-to-rajapur|title=Return to Rajapur|publisher=[[Tribeca Film Festival]]|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023218/https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/512cf9c61c7d76e046001f63-return-to-rajapur|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He also acted in the Telugu romance ''[[Happy (2006 film)|Happy]]'' (2006).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article3246001.ece|title=It's a 'Happy' flick all the way|work=The Hindu|date=28 January 2006|access-date=3 January 2010}}</ref>


In 2007, Bajpayee played Major Suraj Singh in ''[[1971 (2007 film)|1971]]''. The film tells the story of six [[Indian army]] soldiers, who escape from the Pakistani prison after they were captured during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070408/spectrum/main9.htm|title=Story of a loss in victory|last=Chatterji|first=Shoma A.|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|date=8 April 2007|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081320/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070408/spectrum/main9.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of [[CNN-IBN]], criticised the film but wrote: "[Bajpayee]&nbsp; is in great form, he holds back mostly and in the process, constructs a character that says more with his eyes than with words."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/masands-verdict-1971/|title=Masand's verdict: 1971|last=Masand|first=Rajeev|publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015159/http://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/masands-verdict-1971/|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He next starred opposite [[Juhi Chawla]] in [[Ganesh Acharya]]'s drama film ''[[Swami (2007 film)|Swami]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/04ganesh.htm|title=Swami has the Malgudi Days effect|last=N|first=Patcy|work=Rediff.com|date=4 June 2007|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125807/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/04ganesh.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Bajpayee's final release of the year was the [[anthology film]] ''[[Dus Kahaniyaan]]''. He acted in the [[Sanjay Gupta (director)|Sanjay Gupta]] – directed story ''Zahir'' alongside [[Dia Mirza]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071126/asp/entertainment/story_8594178.asp|title=One tight slap|last=Gupta|first=Pratim D.|author-link=Pratim D. Gupta|work=The Telegraph|date=26 November 2007|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023417/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071126/asp/entertainment/story_8594178.asp|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> All of his 2007 releases were financial failures. Next year, he starred in the ensemble comedy ''[[Money Hai Toh Honey Hai]]'' (2008), which was also a box office disaster.<ref name="BOI" />
In 2007, Bajpayee played Major Suraj Singh in ''[[1971 (2007 film)|1971]]''. The film tells the story of six [[Indian army]] soldiers, who escape from the Pakistani prison after they were captured during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070408/spectrum/main9.htm|title=Story of a loss in victory|last=Chatterji|first=Shoma A.|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|date=8 April 2007|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081320/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070408/spectrum/main9.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of [[CNN-IBN]], criticised the film but wrote: "[Bajpayee] is in great form, he holds back mostly and in the process, constructs a character that says more with his eyes than with words."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/masands-verdict-1971/|title=Masand's verdict: 1971|last=Masand|first=Rajeev|publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015159/http://www.rajeevmasand.com/uncategorized/masands-verdict-1971/|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He next starred opposite [[Juhi Chawla]] in [[Ganesh Acharya]]'s drama film ''[[Swami (2007 film)|Swami]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/04ganesh.htm|title=Swami has the Malgudi Days effect|last=N|first=Patcy|work=Rediff.com|date=4 June 2007|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125807/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/04ganesh.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Bajpayee's final release of the year was the [[anthology film]] ''[[Dus Kahaniyaan]]''. He acted in the [[Sanjay Gupta (director)|Sanjay Gupta]] – directed story ''Zahir'' alongside [[Dia Mirza]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071126/asp/entertainment/story_8594178.asp|title=One tight slap|last=Gupta|first=Pratim D.|author-link=Pratim D. Gupta|work=The Telegraph|date=26 November 2007|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023417/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071126/asp/entertainment/story_8594178.asp|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> All of his 2007 releases were financial failures. Next year, he starred in the ensemble comedy ''[[Money Hai Toh Honey Hai]]'' (2008), which was also a box office disaster.<ref name="BOI" />


Bajpayee's shoulder got injured while filming the Telugu film ''[[Vedam (film)|Vedam]]'', and was absent from the screen for nearly two years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Back-logged/articleshow/15952746.cms|title=Back-logged|last=Shah|first=Kunal M|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=8 September 2009|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030322/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Back-logged/articleshow/15952746.cms|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He then returned in a major role with the comedy ''Jugaad'' (2009), which was based on the [[2006 Delhi sealing drive]] incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/sealing-on-screen/article1407892.ece|title=Sealing on screen|work=The Hindu|date=11 February 2009|access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> His next release was the mystery thriller ''[[Acid Factory]]'' (2009), which was a remake of the 2006 American film ''[[Unknown (2006 film)|Unknown]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/09/movie-review-acid-factory.htm|title=Acid Factory could be a health hazard|last=Pal|first=Chandrima|work=Rediff.com|date=9 October 2009|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030524/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/09/movie-review-acid-factory.htm|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He played a comic role of one among the people who are kidnapped and locked in a factory with no memory of how they came there. The film did not do well at the box office.<ref name="Jail">{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/i-waited-long-for-character-like-mine-in-jail-manoj-bajpai/531866/1|title=I waited long for character like mine in 'Jail': Manoj Bajpai|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=22 October 2009|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203081458/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/i-waited-long-for-character-like-mine-in-jail-manoj-bajpai/531866/1|archive-date=3 February 2018}}</ref> The string of financial failures continued with his next release.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/btown-ignores-madhur-bhandarkar/1/120318.html|title=B-town ignores Madhur Bhandarkar|work=India Today|date=18 November 2010|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063441/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/btown-ignores-madhur-bhandarkar/1/120318.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In [[Madhur Bhandarkar]]'s ''[[Jail (2009 film)|Jail]]'' (2009), he played a convict serving life imprisonment. He called his role a "narrator" and "mentor" of its protagonist (played by [[Neil Nitin Mukesh]]).<ref name="Jail" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-frustrated-before-jail-happened-manoj-bajpai/story-uAYFYBbVwO6chiFawsO1jK.html|title=I was frustrated before Jail happened: Manoj Bajpai|last=Bansal|first=Robin|work=Hindustan Times|date=31 October 2009|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032954/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-frustrated-before-jail-happened-manoj-bajpai/story-uAYFYBbVwO6chiFawsO1jK.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref>
Bajpayee's shoulder got injured while filming the Telugu film ''[[Vedam (film)|Vedam]]'', and was absent from the screen for nearly two years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Back-logged/articleshow/15952746.cms|title=Back-logged|last=Shah|first=Kunal M|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=8 September 2009|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030322/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Back-logged/articleshow/15952746.cms|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He then returned in a major role with the comedy ''Jugaad'' (2009), which was based on the [[2006 Delhi sealing drive]] incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/sealing-on-screen/article1407892.ece|title=Sealing on screen|work=The Hindu|date=11 February 2009|access-date=14 November 2015}}</ref> His next release was the mystery thriller ''[[Acid Factory]]'' (2009), which was a remake of the 2006 American film ''[[Unknown (2006 film)|Unknown]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/09/movie-review-acid-factory.htm|title=Acid Factory could be a health hazard|last=Pal|first=Chandrima|work=Rediff.com|date=9 October 2009|access-date=13 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030524/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/09/movie-review-acid-factory.htm|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> He played a comic role of one among the people who are kidnapped and locked in a factory with no memory of how they came there. The film did not do well at the box office.<ref name="Jail">{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/i-waited-long-for-character-like-mine-in-jail-manoj-bajpai/531866/1|title=I waited long for character like mine in 'Jail': Manoj Bajpai|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=22 October 2009|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203081458/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/i-waited-long-for-character-like-mine-in-jail-manoj-bajpai/531866/1|archive-date=3 February 2018}}</ref> The string of financial failures continued with his next release.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/btown-ignores-madhur-bhandarkar/1/120318.html|title=B-town ignores Madhur Bhandarkar|work=India Today|date=18 November 2010|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063441/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/btown-ignores-madhur-bhandarkar/1/120318.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In [[Madhur Bhandarkar]]'s ''[[Jail (2009 film)|Jail]]'' (2009), he played a convict serving life imprisonment. He called his role a "narrator" and "mentor" of its protagonist (played by [[Neil Nitin Mukesh]]).<ref name="Jail" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-frustrated-before-jail-happened-manoj-bajpai/story-uAYFYBbVwO6chiFawsO1jK.html|title=I was frustrated before Jail happened: Manoj Bajpai|last=Bansal|first=Robin|work=Hindustan Times|date=31 October 2009|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032954/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-was-frustrated-before-jail-happened-manoj-bajpai/story-uAYFYBbVwO6chiFawsO1jK.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref>


=== 2010–present: ''Raajneeti'' and beyond ===
=== 2010–present: ''Raajneeti'' and beyond ===
In 2010, Bajpayee starred in [[Prakash Jha]]'s big-budget ensemble political thriller ''[[Raajneeti]]''. It was inspired by the Indian epic [[Mahabharata]]. Bajpai's role was of Veerendra Pratap Singh (based on the character of [[Duryodhana]]), a greedy politician, who considers himself the rightful heir of a political family. [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''[[The Times of India]]'' in her review mentioned that Bajpayee "[..] grab[s] eyeballs in [his] scenes" and "brings back memories of his mesmeric performances."<ref>{{cite news|last=Kazmi|first=Nikhat|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Raajneeti/movie-review/6007822.cms|title=Raajneeti movie review|work=The Times of India|date=3 June 2010|access-date=3 June 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820214326/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Raajneeti/movie-review/6007822.cms|archive-date=20 August 2012}}</ref> Indian trade journalists were apprehensive of ''Raajneeti'' recovering its {{INRConvert|600|m}} investment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kotwani|first=Hiren|title=Can ''Raajneeti'' recover its Rs 60 crore investment?|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/can-raajneeti-recover-its-rs-60-crore-investment/story-QLbUAyjGC6vwWoVTzSIfLK.html|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=21 June 2010|date=4 June 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104634/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/can-raajneeti-recover-its-rs-60-crore-investment/story-QLbUAyjGC6vwWoVTzSIfLK.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> The film, however, proved to be a major commercial success, with worldwide earnings of over {{INRConvert|1.43|b}}.<ref name="web.archive.org showProd" /> Bajpayee received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at Filmfare for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/1765/|title=Nominations for 56th Filmfare Awards 2010|publisher=Bollywood Hungama|date=14 January 2011|access-date=12 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114012817/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/1765/|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He then acted in two Telugu films; ''[[Vedam (film)|Vedam]]'' (2010) and ''[[Puli (2010 film)|Puli]]'' (2010), followed by the comedy ''[[Dus Tola]]'' (2010).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Dus-Tola/movie-review/6787838.cms|title=Dus Tola Movie Review|work=The Times of India|date=22 October 2010|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201011802/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Dus-Tola/movie-review/6787838.cms|archive-date=1 February 2016}}</ref> He also provided the voice of [[Rama]] in the animated film ''[[Ramayana: The Epic]]'', which was based on the Indian epic [[Ramayana]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/photos/bollywood-stars-in-animation-films/4586/40095|title=Bollywood stars in animation films|work=Mid Day|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160917/http://www.mid-day.com/photos/bollywood-stars-in-animation-films/4586/40095|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>
In 2010, Bajpayee starred in [[Prakash Jha]]'s big-budget ensemble political thriller ''[[Raajneeti]]''. [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''[[The Times of India]]'' in her review mentioned that Bajpayee "[..] grab[s] eyeballs in [his] scenes" and "brings back memories of his mesmeric performances."<ref>{{cite news|last=Kazmi|first=Nikhat|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Raajneeti/movie-review/6007822.cms|title=Raajneeti movie review|work=The Times of India|date=3 June 2010|access-date=3 June 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820214326/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Raajneeti/movie-review/6007822.cms|archive-date=20 August 2012}}</ref> Indian trade journalists were apprehensive of ''Raajneeti'' recovering its {{INRConvert|600|m}} investment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kotwani|first=Hiren|title=Can ''Raajneeti'' recover its Rs 60 crore investment?|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/can-raajneeti-recover-its-rs-60-crore-investment/story-QLbUAyjGC6vwWoVTzSIfLK.html|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=21 June 2010|date=4 June 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104634/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/can-raajneeti-recover-its-rs-60-crore-investment/story-QLbUAyjGC6vwWoVTzSIfLK.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> The film, however, proved to be a major commercial success, with worldwide earnings of over {{INRConvert|1.43|b}}.<ref name="web.archive.org showProd" /> Bajpayee received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at Filmfare for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/1765/|title=Nominations for 56th Filmfare Awards 2010|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=14 January 2011|access-date=12 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114012817/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/1765/|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He then acted in two Telugu films; ''[[Vedam (film)|Vedam]]'' (2010) and ''[[Puli (2010 film)|Puli]]'' (2010), followed by the comedy ''[[Dus Tola]]'' (2010).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Dus-Tola/movie-review/6787838.cms|title=Dus Tola Movie Review|work=The Times of India|date=22 October 2010|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201011802/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Dus-Tola/movie-review/6787838.cms|archive-date=1 February 2016}}</ref> He also provided the voice of [[Rama]] in the animated film ''[[Ramayana: The Epic]]'', which was based on the Indian epic [[Ramayana]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/photos/bollywood-stars-in-animation-films/4586/40095|title=Bollywood stars in animation films|work=[[Mid-Day]]|access-date=12 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160917/http://www.mid-day.com/photos/bollywood-stars-in-animation-films/4586/40095|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>


[[File:ManojBajpayee.jpg|thumb|left|Bajpayee promoting ''[[Aarakshan]]'' in 2011.]]
[[File:ManojBajpayee.jpg|thumb|left|Bajpayee promoting ''[[Aarakshan]]'' in 2011]]
''[[Aarakshan]]'' (2011), a socio-drama based on the issue of [[Reservation in India|caste based reservations in Indian]], was Bajpayee's next film. The film sparked controversy in some groups and was banned in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]] before its theatrical release.<ref>{{cite news|title=After UP, Aarakshan banned in Punjab, AP|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-UP-Aarakshan-banned-in-Punjab-AP/articleshow/9564962.cms?referral=PM|access-date=12 August 2011|work=The Times of India|date=11 August 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029180202/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-UP-Aarakshan-banned-in-Punjab-AP/articleshow/9564962.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=29 October 2017}}</ref> Trade journalists had high expectations for the film, but it ultimately flopped at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|title=Will Aarakshan draw in the crowds?|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/will-aarakshan-draw-in-the-crowds/20110801.htm|work=Rediff.com|access-date=4 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203184214/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/will-aarakshan-draw-in-the-crowds/20110801.htm|archive-date=3 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=It's raining flops at the box office|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/raining-flops-at-box-office/20110919.htm|work=Rediff.com|access-date=4 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429131112/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/raining-flops-at-box-office/20110919.htm|archive-date=29 April 2012}}</ref> Bajpayee's followup was the thriller ''[[Lanka (2011 film)|Lanka]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/548041|title=Lanka|last=Adarsh|first=Taran|author-link=Taran Adarsh|publisher=Bollywood Hungama|date=9 December 2011|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023002829/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/548041|archive-date=23 October 2015}}</ref>
''[[Aarakshan]]'' (2011), a socio-drama based on the issue of [[Reservation in India|caste based reservations in Indian]], was Bajpayee's next film. The film sparked controversy in some groups and was banned in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]] before its theatrical release.<ref>{{cite news|title=After UP, Aarakshan banned in Punjab, AP|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-UP-Aarakshan-banned-in-Punjab-AP/articleshow/9564962.cms?referral=PM|access-date=12 August 2011|work=The Times of India|date=11 August 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029180202/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-UP-Aarakshan-banned-in-Punjab-AP/articleshow/9564962.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=29 October 2017}}</ref> Trade journalists had high expectations for the film, but it ultimately flopped at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|title=Will Aarakshan draw in the crowds?|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/will-aarakshan-draw-in-the-crowds/20110801.htm|work=Rediff.com|access-date=4 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203184214/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/will-aarakshan-draw-in-the-crowds/20110801.htm|archive-date=3 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=It's raining flops at the box office|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/raining-flops-at-box-office/20110919.htm|work=Rediff.com|access-date=4 April 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429131112/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/raining-flops-at-box-office/20110919.htm|archive-date=29 April 2012}}</ref> Bajpayee's followup was the thriller ''[[Lanka (2011 film)|Lanka]]'' (2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/548041|title=Lanka|last=Adarsh|first=Taran|author-link=Taran Adarsh|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=9 December 2011|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023002829/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/548041|archive-date=23 October 2015}}</ref>


In 2012, Bajpayee appeared in [[Anurag Kashyap]]'s two-part crime film ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1|Gangs of Wasseypur]]''. His character Sardar Khan appeared in the first one. To prepare for his role, Bajpayee shaved his head and lost four kilogram of weight.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120621/jsp/entertainment/story_15635989.jsp|title=Bajpai the baddie|last=Upadhyay|first=Karishma|work=The Telegraph|date=21 June 2012|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210193240/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120621/jsp/entertainment/story_15635989.jsp#.VmabqLKqqko|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> It premiered at the [[2012 Cannes Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Gangs of Wasseypur: World premiere at Cannes|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-world-premiere-at-cannes-468137.html|access-date=24 April 2012|publisher=CNN-IBN|date=24 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627194640/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-world-premiere-at-cannes-468137.html|archive-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> [[2012 Toronto International Film Festival|Toronto film festival]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/entertainment/Wasseypur-Shanghai-Peddlers-at-Toronto-film-fest/articleshow/15310537.cms?|title='Wasseypur', 'Shanghai', 'Peddlers' at Toronto film fest|date=1 August 2012|access-date=31 May 2015|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028054641/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/entertainment/Wasseypur-Shanghai-Peddlers-at-Toronto-film-fest/articleshow/15310537.cms|archive-date=28 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gangs of wasseypur to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-to-be-screened-at-sundance-2013-524361.html|publisher=CNN-IBN|date=30 November 2012|access-date=31 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823153006/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-to-be-screened-at-sundance-2013-524361.html|archive-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> ''Gangs of Wasseypur'' released in India on 22 June to positive response. Anupama Chopra called it his best performance since Bhiku Mhatre in ''Satya''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-gangs-of-wasseypur/story-iGAekBzJAuamgXRfcODzbJ.html|title=Anupama Chopra's review: Gangs of Wasseypur|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=Hindustan Times|date=23 June 2012|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020533/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-gangs-of-wasseypur/story-iGAekBzJAuamgXRfcODzbJ.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> For his performance in the film, Bajpayee was nominated for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite news|title=58th Idea Filmfare Awards nominations are here!|url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/58th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-are-here-2123.html|work=Filmfare|date=13 January 2013|access-date=31 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227075057/http://www.filmfare.com/news/58th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-are-here-2123.html|archive-date=27 December 2014}}</ref> His next film was the historical drama ''[[Chittagong (film)|Chittagong]]'' (2012), based on the [[Chittagong armoury raid]]. Bajpai portrayed the Bengali independence fighter [[Surya Sen]] in it, for which he charged no money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-took-no-money-for-chittagong-607889|title=Manoj Bajpayee took no money for Chittagong|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=28 September 2012|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032957/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-took-no-money-for-chittagong-607889|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> His final release of the year was ''[[Chakravyuh (2012 film)|Chakravyuh]]'', where he played a [[Naxalite]]; a role which required him to lose 5 Kilograms weight.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jun/070612-Manoj-Bajpai-goes-for-facial-fuzz.htm|title=Manoj Bajpai goes for facial fuzz|last=Shah|first=Jigar|work=Mid Day|date=7 June 2012|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203104000/http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jun/070612-Manoj-Bajpai-goes-for-facial-fuzz.htm/|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Writer and lyricist [[Javed Akhtar]] called ''Chakravyuh'' "the best film of last 20 years".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-10-29/news/34798457_1_middle-class-salim-khan-ramesh-sippy|title=Films are not made for middle-class now: Javed Akhtar|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=29 October 2012|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162224/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-10-29/news/34798457_1_middle-class-salim-khan-ramesh-sippy|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On the contrary, a review carried by ''[[India Today]]'' called it an "amateurish attempt", but praised Bajpayee's acting.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-movie-review-chakravyuh/1/226492.html|title=Movie review: Chakravyuh|last=Khilnani|first=Rohit|work=India Today|date=27 October 2012|access-date=28 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160014/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-movie-review-chakravyuh/1/226492.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>
In 2012, Bajpayee appeared in [[Anurag Kashyap]]'s two-part crime film ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1|Gangs of Wasseypur]]''. His character Sardar Khan appeared in the first one. To prepare for his role, Bajpayee shaved his head and lost four kilogram of weight.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120621/jsp/entertainment/story_15635989.jsp|title=Bajpai the baddie|last=Upadhyay|first=Karishma|work=The Telegraph|date=21 June 2012|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210193240/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120621/jsp/entertainment/story_15635989.jsp#.VmabqLKqqko|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref> It premiered at the [[2012 Cannes Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Gangs of Wasseypur: World premiere at Cannes|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-world-premiere-at-cannes-468137.html|access-date=24 April 2012|publisher=CNN-IBN|date=24 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627194640/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-world-premiere-at-cannes-468137.html|archive-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> [[2012 Toronto International Film Festival|Toronto film festival]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/entertainment/Wasseypur-Shanghai-Peddlers-at-Toronto-film-fest/articleshow/15310537.cms?|title='Wasseypur', 'Shanghai', 'Peddlers' at Toronto film fest|date=1 August 2012|access-date=31 May 2015|work=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028054641/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/entertainment/Wasseypur-Shanghai-Peddlers-at-Toronto-film-fest/articleshow/15310537.cms|archive-date=28 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gangs of wasseypur to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-to-be-screened-at-sundance-2013-524361.html|publisher=CNN-IBN|date=30 November 2012|access-date=31 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823153006/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gangs-of-wasseypur-to-be-screened-at-sundance-2013-524361.html|archive-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> ''Gangs of Wasseypur'' released in India on 22 June to positive response. Anupama Chopra called it his best performance since Bhiku Mhatre in ''Satya''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-gangs-of-wasseypur/story-iGAekBzJAuamgXRfcODzbJ.html|title=Anupama Chopra's review: Gangs of Wasseypur|last=Chopra|first=Anupama|work=Hindustan Times|date=23 June 2012|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020533/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-gangs-of-wasseypur/story-iGAekBzJAuamgXRfcODzbJ.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> For his performance in the film, Bajpayee was nominated for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{cite news|title=58th Idea Filmfare Awards nominations are here!|url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/58th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-are-here-2123.html|work=Filmfare|date=13 January 2013|access-date=31 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227075057/http://www.filmfare.com/news/58th-idea-filmfare-awards-nominations-are-here-2123.html|archive-date=27 December 2014}}</ref> His next film was the historical drama ''[[Chittagong (film)|Chittagong]]'' (2012), based on the [[Chittagong armoury raid]]. Bajpai portrayed the Bengali independence fighter [[Surya Sen]] in it, for which he charged no money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-took-no-money-for-chittagong-607889|title=Manoj Bajpayee took no money for Chittagong|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=28 September 2012|access-date=11 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032957/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-took-no-money-for-chittagong-607889|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> His final release of the year was ''[[Chakravyuh (2012 film)|Chakravyuh]]'', where he played a [[Naxalite]]; a role which required him to lose 5 kilograms weight.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jun/070612-Manoj-Bajpai-goes-for-facial-fuzz.htm|title=Manoj Bajpai goes for facial fuzz|last=Shah|first=Jigar|work=[[Mid-Day]]|date=7 June 2012|access-date=31 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203104000/http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/jun/070612-Manoj-Bajpai-goes-for-facial-fuzz.htm/|archive-date=3 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Writer and lyricist [[Javed Akhtar]] called ''Chakravyuh'' "the best film of last 20 years".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-10-29/news/34798457_1_middle-class-salim-khan-ramesh-sippy|title=Films are not made for middle-class now: Javed Akhtar|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=29 October 2012|access-date=28 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208162224/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-10-29/news/34798457_1_middle-class-salim-khan-ramesh-sippy|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On the contrary, a review carried by ''[[India Today]]'' called it an "amateurish attempt", but praised Bajpayee's acting.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-movie-review-chakravyuh/1/226492.html|title=Movie review: Chakravyuh|last=Khilnani|first=Rohit|work=India Today|date=27 October 2012|access-date=28 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160014/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-movie-review-chakravyuh/1/226492.html|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>


In 2013, Bajpayee had five releases: ''[[Samar (2013 film)|Samar]]'', his [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] debut film, was the first release. He appeared in a supporting role in the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Manoj-Bajpayee-in-Samaran/articleshow/11696919.cms|title=Manoj Bajpayee in Samaran|last=Suganth|first=S|work=The Times of India|date=31 January 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203113519/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Manoj-Bajpayee-in-Samaran/articleshow/11696919.cms|archive-date=3 February 2012}}</ref> He then appeared in [[Neeraj Pandey]]'s heist thriller ''[[Special 26]]''. Based on the [[1987 Opera House heist]], he portrayed a [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI officer]] in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-special-chabbis-is-exciting/20130208.htm|title=Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=8 February 2013|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063537/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-special-chabbis-is-exciting/20130208.htm|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> It was followed by the crime film ''[[Shootout at Wadala]]'', where he played a character inspired by the gangster [[Shabir Ibrahim Kaskar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoomtv.indiatimes.com/interviews/politics-will-never-happen-for-me-manoj-bajpai/articleshow/21163635.cms|title=Politics will never happen for me: Manoj Bajpai|last=Kashyap|first=Nitisha|publisher=[[Zoom (Indian TV channel)|Zoom]]|date=19 July 2013|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033048/http://zoomtv.indiatimes.com/interviews/politics-will-never-happen-for-me-manoj-bajpai/articleshow/21163635.cms|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> Bajpayee collaborated with Prakash Jha for the fourth time with ''[[Satyagraha (film)|Satyagraha]]''. The film was loosely inspired by social activist [[Anna Hazare]]'s [[2011 Indian anti-corruption movement|fight against corruption in 2011]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-satyagraha-review-a-mission-left-unaccomplished-1882077|title='Satyagraha' review: A mission left unaccomplished|access-date=17 February 2014|last=Sengar|first=Resham|date=30 August 2013|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222083637/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-satyagraha-review-a-mission-left-unaccomplished-1882077|archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> featuring an ensemble cast, the film was highly anticipated by trade journalists due to its release coinciding with the [[2013 Mumbai gang rape|Mumbai]] and [[2012 Delhi gang rape#Public protests|Delhi gang rape public protests]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/prakash-jha-talks-about-new-film-satyagraha|title=Prakash Jha talks about new film Satyagraha|access-date=18 October 2013|last=Khan|first=Ujala A|date=28 August 2013|work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120808/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/prakash-jha-talks-about-new-film-satyagraha|archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> ''Satyagraha'' earned {{INRConvert|675|m}} domestically.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/box-office-bollywood-films-of-2013/|title=Box-Office Verdicts of Major Bollywood Releases of 2013|access-date=18 October 2013|publisher=Koimoi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803012622/http://www.koimoi.com/box-office-bollywood-films-of-2013/|archive-date=3 August 2014}}</ref> Bajpayee then provided the voice of [[Yudhishthira]] for ''[[Mahabharat (2013 film)|Mahabharat]]'', a [[computer animation|3D animation film]] based on the Indian epic of the same name.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pathak|first=Ankur|title=Deepti Naval is Kunti in Mahabharat|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Deepti-Naval-is-Kunti-in-Mahabharat/articleshow/23661825.cms|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Mumbai Mirror|date=8 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011030553/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Deepti-Naval-is-Kunti-in-Mahabharat/articleshow/23661825.cms|archive-date=11 October 2013}}</ref> In 2014, Bajpayee played the antagonist in the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] action film ''[[Anjaan (2014 film)|Anjaan]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Manoj-Vidyut-in-Suriyas-next-with-Lingusamy/articleshow/25322609.cms|title=Manoj, Vidyut in Suriya's next with Lingusamy|work=The Times of India|date=7 November 2013|access-date=9 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107015509/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Manoj-Vidyut-in-Suriyas-next-with-Lingusamy/articleshow/25322609.cms|archive-date=7 November 2013}}</ref>
In 2013, Bajpayee had five releases: ''[[Samar (2013 film)|Samar]]'', his [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] debut film, was the first release. He appeared in a supporting role in the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Manoj-Bajpayee-in-Samaran/articleshow/11696919.cms|title=Manoj Bajpayee in Samaran|last=Suganth|first=S|work=The Times of India|date=31 January 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203113519/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Manoj-Bajpayee-in-Samaran/articleshow/11696919.cms|archive-date=3 February 2012}}</ref> He then appeared in [[Neeraj Pandey]]'s heist thriller ''[[Special 26]]''. Based on the [[1987 Opera House heist]], he portrayed a [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI officer]] in the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-special-chabbis-is-exciting/20130208.htm|title=Review: Special Chabbis is an exciting con caper|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=8 February 2013|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063537/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-special-chabbis-is-exciting/20130208.htm|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> It was followed by the crime film ''[[Shootout at Wadala]]'', where he played a character inspired by the gangster [[Shabir Ibrahim Kaskar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoomtv.indiatimes.com/interviews/politics-will-never-happen-for-me-manoj-bajpai/articleshow/21163635.cms|title=Politics will never happen for me: Manoj Bajpai|last=Kashyap|first=Nitisha|publisher=[[Zoom (Indian TV channel)|Zoom]]|date=19 July 2013|access-date=11 November 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033048/http://zoomtv.indiatimes.com/interviews/politics-will-never-happen-for-me-manoj-bajpai/articleshow/21163635.cms|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> Bajpayee collaborated with Prakash Jha for the fourth time with ''[[Satyagraha (film)|Satyagraha]]''. The film was loosely inspired by social activist [[Anna Hazare]]'s [[2011 Indian anti-corruption movement|fight against corruption in 2011]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-satyagraha-review-a-mission-left-unaccomplished-1882077|title='Satyagraha' review: A mission left unaccomplished|access-date=17 February 2014|last=Sengar|first=Resham|date=30 August 2013|work=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222083637/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-satyagraha-review-a-mission-left-unaccomplished-1882077|archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> featuring an ensemble cast, the film was highly anticipated by trade journalists due to its release coinciding with the [[2013 Mumbai gang rape|Mumbai]] and [[2012 Delhi gang rape#Public protests|Delhi gang rape public protests]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/prakash-jha-talks-about-new-film-satyagraha|title=Prakash Jha talks about new film Satyagraha|access-date=18 October 2013|last=Khan|first=Ujala A|date=28 August 2013|work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120808/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/prakash-jha-talks-about-new-film-satyagraha|archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> ''Satyagraha'' earned {{INRConvert|675|m}} domestically.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/box-office-bollywood-films-of-2013/|title=Box-Office Verdicts of Major Bollywood Releases of 2013|access-date=18 October 2013|publisher=Koimoi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803012622/http://www.koimoi.com/box-office-bollywood-films-of-2013/|archive-date=3 August 2014}}</ref> Bajpayee then provided the voice of [[Yudhishthira]] for ''[[Mahabharat (2013 film)|Mahabharat]]'', a [[computer animation|3D animation film]] based on the Indian epic of the same name.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pathak|first=Ankur|title=Deepti Naval is Kunti in Mahabharat|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Deepti-Naval-is-Kunti-in-Mahabharat/articleshow/23661825.cms|access-date=12 February 2015|work=Mumbai Mirror|date=8 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011030553/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Deepti-Naval-is-Kunti-in-Mahabharat/articleshow/23661825.cms|archive-date=11 October 2013}}</ref> In 2014, Bajpayee played the antagonist in the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] action film ''[[Anjaan (2014 film)|Anjaan]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Manoj-Vidyut-in-Suriyas-next-with-Lingusamy/articleshow/25322609.cms|title=Manoj, Vidyut in Suriya's next with Lingusamy|work=The Times of India|date=7 November 2013|access-date=9 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107015509/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Manoj-Vidyut-in-Suriyas-next-with-Lingusamy/articleshow/25322609.cms|archive-date=7 November 2013}}</ref>
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|last=Joshi|first=Namrata|work=The Hindu|date=15 October 2016|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/sVXNjPlg545kGM5Q16ZIyN/Review-Neeraj-Pandeys-short-film-Ouch.html|title=Review: Neeraj Pandey's short film 'Ouch'|last=Ghosh|first=Sankhayan|work=Mint|date=2 November 2016|access-date=5 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105173748/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/sVXNjPlg545kGM5Q16ZIyN/Review-Neeraj-Pandeys-short-film-Ouch.html|archive-date=5 November 2016}}</ref>
|last=Joshi|first=Namrata|work=The Hindu|date=15 October 2016|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/sVXNjPlg545kGM5Q16ZIyN/Review-Neeraj-Pandeys-short-film-Ouch.html|title=Review: Neeraj Pandey's short film 'Ouch'|last=Ghosh|first=Sankhayan|work=Mint|date=2 November 2016|access-date=5 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105173748/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/sVXNjPlg545kGM5Q16ZIyN/Review-Neeraj-Pandeys-short-film-Ouch.html|archive-date=5 November 2016}}</ref>


[[File:Padma Shri Manoj Bajpai.jpg|thumb|Bajpayee receiving the Padma Shri 2019]]
[[File:Padma Shri Manoj Bajpai.jpg|thumb|Bajpayee receiving the Padma Shri in 2019]]
Bajpayee's first release of 2017 was the spy thriller ''[[Naam Shabana]]'', a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] to the 2015 film ''[[Baby (2015 Hindi film)|Baby]]'' with [[Taapsee Pannu]] reprising her role as Shabana.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-naam-shabana-is-spin-off-not-prequel-to-baby-taapsee-pannu-2353190|title='Naam Shabana' is spin-off, not prequel to 'Baby' Taapsee Pannu|date=15 March 2017|work=Daily News and Analysis|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330041452/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-naam-shabana-is-spin-off-not-prequel-to-baby-taapsee-pannu-2353190|archive-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> The same year, he reunited with Ram Gopal Varma for the crime drama ''[[Sarkar 3]]''. It was the third instalment in the [[Sarkar (film series)|Sarkar film series]]. In the film, his character was loosely based on [[Arvind Kejriwal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-sarkar-3-ram-gopal-varma-arvind-kejriwal-amitabh-bachchan-3098196/|title=Manoj Bajpayee's character in Sarkar 3 inspired by Arvind Kejriwal, says RGV|work=The Indian Express|date=23 October 2016|access-date=10 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205115111/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-sarkar-3-ram-gopal-varma-arvind-kejriwal-amitabh-bachchan-3098196/|archive-date=5 December 2016}}</ref> Later that year, Bajpayee appeared briefly in the drama film ''[[Rukh (film)|Rukh]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/rukh-movie-review-a-fine-film-that-says-more-with-its-silence-than-words-1559515.html|title=Rukh Movie Review: A Fine Film That Says More With Its Silence Than Words|last=Tulsiani|first=Kriti|publisher=CNN-News18|date=27 October 2017|access-date=30 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027175902/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/rukh-movie-review-a-fine-film-that-says-more-with-its-silence-than-words-1559515.html|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>
Bajpayee's first release of 2017 was the spy thriller ''[[Naam Shabana]]'', a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] to the 2015 film ''[[Baby (2015 Hindi film)|Baby]]'' with [[Taapsee Pannu]] reprising her role as Shabana.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-naam-shabana-is-spin-off-not-prequel-to-baby-taapsee-pannu-2353190|title='Naam Shabana' is spin-off, not prequel to 'Baby' Taapsee Pannu|date=15 March 2017|work=Daily News and Analysis|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330041452/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-naam-shabana-is-spin-off-not-prequel-to-baby-taapsee-pannu-2353190|archive-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> The same year, he reunited with Ram Gopal Varma for the crime drama ''[[Sarkar 3]]''. It was the third instalment in the [[Sarkar (film series)|Sarkar film series]]. In the film, his character was loosely based on [[Arvind Kejriwal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-sarkar-3-ram-gopal-varma-arvind-kejriwal-amitabh-bachchan-3098196/|title=Manoj Bajpayee's character in Sarkar 3 inspired by Arvind Kejriwal, says RGV|work=The Indian Express|date=23 October 2016|access-date=10 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205115111/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-sarkar-3-ram-gopal-varma-arvind-kejriwal-amitabh-bachchan-3098196/|archive-date=5 December 2016}}</ref> Later that year, Bajpayee appeared briefly in the drama film ''[[Rukh (film)|Rukh]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/rukh-movie-review-a-fine-film-that-says-more-with-its-silence-than-words-1559515.html|title=Rukh Movie Review: A Fine Film That Says More With Its Silence Than Words|last=Tulsiani|first=Kriti|publisher=CNN-News18|date=27 October 2017|access-date=30 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027175902/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/rukh-movie-review-a-fine-film-that-says-more-with-its-silence-than-words-1559515.html|archive-date=27 October 2017}}</ref>


In 2018, Bajpayee reunited with Neeraj Pandey with the crime thriller ''[[Aiyaary]]'', where he played Colonel Abhay Singh who is in pursuit of his protege Major Jai Bakshi ([[Sidharth Malhotra]]). Film critic [[Namrata Joshi]] criticised the film's plot and called Bajpayee and one song, the "film's only saving graces".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aiyaary-review-much-ado-about-nothing/article22771612.ece|title=Aiyaary' review: A flashback too many|last=Joshi|first=Namrata|work=The Hindu|date=16 February 2018|access-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511203443/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aiyaary-review-much-ado-about-nothing/article22771612.ece|archive-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> He later appeared in [[Ahmed Khan (choreographer)|Ahmed Khan]]'s ''[[Baaghi 2]]'', alongside [[Tiger Shroff]] and [[Disha Patani]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/baaghi-2-movie-review-tiger-shroff-s-film-is-all-about-sound-and-fury-118033100026_1.html|title='Baaghi 2' movie review: Tiger Shroff's film is all about sound and fury|work=Business Standard|date=31 March 2018|access-date=1 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401213556/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/baaghi-2-movie-review-tiger-shroff-s-film-is-all-about-sound-and-fury-118033100026_1.html|archive-date=1 April 2018}}</ref> Later that year, Bajpayee acted and made his debut as a producer with the psychological thriller ''[[Missing (2018 film)|Missing]]'', co-starring [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]]. The film mostly received negative review from critics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/missing/movie-review/63633283.cms|title=Missing Movie Review|last=Gupta|first=Rachit|work=The Times of India|date=7 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408175848/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/missing/movie-review/63633283.cms|archive-date=8 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/missing-review-tabu-proves-she-is-one-of-the-finest-talents-steals-the-show/articleshow/63641620.cms|title='Missing' review: Thriller works only for Tabu fans, actress steals the show|work=The Economic Times|date=9 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233623/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/missing-review-tabu-proves-she-is-one-of-the-finest-talents-steals-the-show/articleshow/63641620.cms|archive-date=9 April 2018}}</ref> Shubhra Gupta called it a "shoddy mess".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/missing-movie-review-tabu-manoj-bajpayee-star-rating-5125807/|title=Missing movie review: The Manoj Bajpayee and Tabu starrer is a shoddy mess|last=Gupta|first=Shubhra|work=The Indian Express|date=6 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233546/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/missing-movie-review-tabu-manoj-bajpayee-star-rating-5125807/|archive-date=9 April 2018}}</ref> He next appeared alongside [[John Abraham (actor)|John Abraham]] in the vigilante action film ''[[Satyameva Jayate (2018 film)|Satyameva Jayate]]'' (2018).<ref>{{cite news|title=Satyameva Jayate movie review: The John Abraham starrer revives all the forgotten horrors of 80s B-grade cinema|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/satyameva-jayate-movie-review-rating-john-abraham-5307367/|last=Gupta|first=Shubhra|work=The Indian Express|date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131510/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/satyameva-jayate-movie-review-rating-john-abraham-5307367/|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year he appeared in the psychological drama ''[[Gali Guleiyan]]'', directed by debutant Dipesh Jain, where he played an electrician living in [[Old Delhi]], who starts losing his grasp over reality.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/method-in-his-madness-manoj-bajpayee-5322817/|title=Method in His Madness: Manoj Bajpayee on his forthcoming film Gali Guleiyan|last=Sahani|first=Alaka|work=The Indian Express|date=26 August 2018|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907234418/https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/method-in-his-madness-manoj-bajpayee-5322817/|archive-date=7 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He won the Best Actor award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/manoj-bajpayee-on-his-role-in-gali-guleiyan-perhaps-the-most-difficult-character-of-my-career-4954561.html|title=Manoj Bajpayee on his role in Gali Guleiyan: Perhaps the most difficult character of my career|work=Firstpost|date=14 August 2018|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908021155/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/manoj-bajpayee-on-his-role-in-gali-guleiyan-perhaps-the-most-difficult-character-of-my-career-4954561.html|archive-date=8 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[22nd Busan International Film Festival]] and was also screened at the 2017 [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image|MAMI Film Festival]], [[Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles]], [[Atlanta Film Festival]], [[Cleveland International Film Festival]] and the [[Chicago International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anurag-kashyap-s-zoo-manoj-bajpayee-s-in-the-shadows-to-premiere-at-busan-film-festival/story-ku4CWQVDxTb2HdirGlzveO.html|title=Anurag Kashyap's Zoo, Manoj Bajpayee's In The Shadows to premiere at Busan Film Festival|work=Hindustan Times|date=12 September 2017|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013221/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anurag-kashyap-s-zoo-manoj-bajpayee-s-in-the-shadows-to-premiere-at-busan-film-festival/story-ku4CWQVDxTb2HdirGlzveO.html|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/manojs-gali-guleiyan-on-a-foreign-fest-journey/articleshow/63696573.cms|title=Manoj Bajpayee's 'Gali Guleiyan' on a foreign fest journey|work=The Times of India|date=10 August 2018|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907180155/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/manojs-gali-guleiyan-on-a-foreign-fest-journey/articleshow/63696573.cms|archive-date=7 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> His final release of the year was Tabrez Noorani's ensemble drama ''[[Love Sonia]]'', a film about sex trafficking. It had its premiere at the 2018 [[London Indian Film Festival]] and was released in India on 14 September 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/love-sonia-premieres-in-london-highlights-ignored-realities-of-the-world/story-g8n6Qma3o39jaAleha2m8J.html|title=Love Sonia premieres in London, highlights ignored realities of the world|work=Hindustan Times|date=22 June 2018|access-date=15 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915002143/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/love-sonia-premieres-in-london-highlights-ignored-realities-of-the-world/story-g8n6Qma3o39jaAleha2m8J.html|archive-date=15 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2018, Bajpayee reunited with Neeraj Pandey with the crime thriller ''[[Aiyaary]]'', where he played Colonel Abhay Singh who is in pursuit of his protege Major Jai Bakshi ([[Sidharth Malhotra]]). Film critic [[Namrata Joshi]] criticised the film's plot and called Bajpayee and one song, the "film's only saving graces".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aiyaary-review-much-ado-about-nothing/article22771612.ece|title=Aiyaary' review: A flashback too many|last=Joshi|first=Namrata|work=The Hindu|date=16 February 2018|access-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511203443/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aiyaary-review-much-ado-about-nothing/article22771612.ece|archive-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> He later appeared in [[Ahmed Khan (choreographer)|Ahmed Khan]]'s ''[[Baaghi 2]]'', alongside [[Tiger Shroff]] and [[Disha Patani]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/baaghi-2-movie-review-tiger-shroff-s-film-is-all-about-sound-and-fury-118033100026_1.html|title='Baaghi 2' movie review: Tiger Shroff's film is all about sound and fury|work=Business Standard|date=31 March 2018|access-date=1 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401213556/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/baaghi-2-movie-review-tiger-shroff-s-film-is-all-about-sound-and-fury-118033100026_1.html|archive-date=1 April 2018}}</ref> Later that year, Bajpayee acted and made his debut as a producer with the psychological thriller ''[[Missing (2018 film)|Missing]]'', co-starring [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]]. The film mostly received negative review from critics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/missing/movie-review/63633283.cms|title=Missing Movie Review|last=Gupta|first=Rachit|work=The Times of India|date=7 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408175848/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/missing/movie-review/63633283.cms|archive-date=8 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/missing-review-tabu-proves-she-is-one-of-the-finest-talents-steals-the-show/articleshow/63641620.cms|title='Missing' review: Thriller works only for Tabu fans, actress steals the show|work=The Economic Times|date=9 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233623/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/missing-review-tabu-proves-she-is-one-of-the-finest-talents-steals-the-show/articleshow/63641620.cms|archive-date=9 April 2018}}</ref> Shubhra Gupta called it a "shoddy mess".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/missing-movie-review-tabu-manoj-bajpayee-star-rating-5125807/|title=Missing movie review: The Manoj Bajpayee and Tabu starrer is a shoddy mess|last=Gupta|first=Shubhra|work=The Indian Express|date=6 April 2018|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233546/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/missing-movie-review-tabu-manoj-bajpayee-star-rating-5125807/|archive-date=9 April 2018}}</ref> He next appeared alongside [[John Abraham (actor)|John Abraham]] in the vigilante action film ''[[Satyameva Jayate (2018 film)|Satyameva Jayate]]'' (2018).<ref>{{cite news|title=Satyameva Jayate movie review: The John Abraham starrer revives all the forgotten horrors of 80s B-grade cinema|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/satyameva-jayate-movie-review-rating-john-abraham-5307367/|last=Gupta|first=Shubhra|work=The Indian Express|date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131510/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/satyameva-jayate-movie-review-rating-john-abraham-5307367/|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year he appeared in the psychological drama ''[[Gali Guleiyan]]'', directed by debutant Dipesh Jain, where he played an electrician living in [[Old Delhi]], who starts losing his grasp over reality.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/method-in-his-madness-manoj-bajpayee-5322817/|title=Method in His Madness: Manoj Bajpayee on his forthcoming film Gali Guleiyan|last=Sahani|first=Alaka|work=The Indian Express|date=26 August 2018|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907234418/https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/method-in-his-madness-manoj-bajpayee-5322817/|archive-date=7 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He won the Best Actor award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/manoj-bajpayee-on-his-role-in-gali-guleiyan-perhaps-the-most-difficult-character-of-my-career-4954561.html|title=Manoj Bajpayee on his role in Gali Guleiyan: Perhaps the most difficult character of my career|work=Firstpost|date=14 August 2018|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908021155/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/manoj-bajpayee-on-his-role-in-gali-guleiyan-perhaps-the-most-difficult-character-of-my-career-4954561.html|archive-date=8 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[22nd Busan International Film Festival]] and was also screened at the 2017 [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image|MAMI Film Festival]], [[Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles]], [[Atlanta Film Festival]], [[Cleveland International Film Festival]] and the [[Chicago International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anurag-kashyap-s-zoo-manoj-bajpayee-s-in-the-shadows-to-premiere-at-busan-film-festival/story-ku4CWQVDxTb2HdirGlzveO.html|title=Anurag Kashyap's Zoo, Manoj Bajpayee's In The Shadows to premiere at Busan Film Festival|work=Hindustan Times|date=12 September 2017|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013013221/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/anurag-kashyap-s-zoo-manoj-bajpayee-s-in-the-shadows-to-premiere-at-busan-film-festival/story-ku4CWQVDxTb2HdirGlzveO.html|archive-date=13 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/manojs-gali-guleiyan-on-a-foreign-fest-journey/articleshow/63696573.cms|title=Manoj Bajpayee's 'Gali Guleiyan' on a foreign fest journey|work=The Times of India|date=10 August 2018|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907180155/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/manojs-gali-guleiyan-on-a-foreign-fest-journey/articleshow/63696573.cms|archive-date=7 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> His final release of the year was Tabrez Noorani's ensemble drama ''[[Love Sonia]]'', a film about sex trafficking. It had its premiere at the 2018 [[London Indian Film Festival]] and was released in India on 14 September 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/love-sonia-premieres-in-london-highlights-ignored-realities-of-the-world/story-g8n6Qma3o39jaAleha2m8J.html|title=Love Sonia premieres in London, highlights ignored realities of the world|work=Hindustan Times|date=22 June 2018|access-date=15 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915002143/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/love-sonia-premieres-in-london-highlights-ignored-realities-of-the-world/story-g8n6Qma3o39jaAleha2m8J.html|archive-date=15 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


In Devashish Makhija's ''[[Bhonsle (film)|Bhonsle]]'', Bajpayee played a terminally ill retired Mumbai cop who befriends a North Indian girl when the locals are trying to get rid of the migrants in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenanarchy.com/2019/01/j-hurtados-13-favorite-indian-films-of-2018-gallery.html|title=J Hurtado's 14 Favorite Indian Films of 2018|last=Hurtado|first=J|publisher=Screen Anarchy|date=3 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> The film and his performance met with positive response from critics with [[Namrata Joshi]] calling his acting "astounding in his internalisation of Bhonsle and acts with not just his face but by deploying his whole body."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bhonsle-movie-review-agents-of-anger-and-gloom/article31937302.ece|title='Bhonsle' movie review: Agents of anger and gloom|last=Joshi|first=Namrata|work=The Hindu|date=28 June 2020|accessdate=18 April 2021}}</ref> The role earned him his first [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] and second Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/national-film-awards-priyadarshan-kangana-dhanush-bag-top-honours/article34134989.ece|title=National Film Awards: Priyadarshan, Kangana, Dhanush bag top honours|work=The Hindu|date=22 March 2021|accessdate=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/asia-pacific-screen-awards-manoj-bajpayee-wins-best-actor-for-bhonsle-1621498-2019-11-22|title=Asia Pacific Screen Awards: Manoj Bajpayee wins Best Actor for Bhonsle|last=Singh|first=Suhani|work=India Today|date=22 November 2019|access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref>
In Devashish Makhija's ''[[Bhonsle (film)|Bhonsle]]'', Bajpayee played a terminally ill retired Mumbai cop who befriends a North Indian girl when the locals are trying to get rid of the migrants in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenanarchy.com/2019/01/j-hurtados-13-favorite-indian-films-of-2018-gallery.html|title=J Hurtado's 14 Favorite Indian Films of 2018|last=Hurtado|first=J|publisher=Screen Anarchy|date=3 January 2018|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> The film and his performance met with positive response from critics with [[Namrata Joshi]] calling his acting "astounding in his internalisation of Bhonsle and acts with not just his face but by deploying his whole body."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/bhonsle-movie-review-agents-of-anger-and-gloom/article31937302.ece|title='Bhonsle' movie review: Agents of anger and gloom|last=Joshi|first=Namrata|work=The Hindu|date=28 June 2020|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref> The role earned him his first [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] and second Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/national-film-awards-priyadarshan-kangana-dhanush-bag-top-honours/article34134989.ece|title=National Film Awards: Priyadarshan, Kangana, Dhanush bag top honours|work=The Hindu|date=22 March 2021|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/asia-pacific-screen-awards-manoj-bajpayee-wins-best-actor-for-bhonsle-1621498-2019-11-22|title=Asia Pacific Screen Awards: Manoj Bajpayee wins Best Actor for Bhonsle|last=Singh|first=Suhani|work=India Today|date=22 November 2019|access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref>


In 2019, he was given India's fourth highest civilian honour [[Padma Shri]] for his contributions to art.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/mohanlal-to-be-awarded-padma-bhushan-padma-shri-for-manoj-bajpayee-prabhu-deva-and-late-kader-khan/354145|title=Mohanlal to be honoured with Padma Bhushan; Padma Shri for Manoj Bajpayee, Prabhu Deva and Late Kader Khan|website=Times Now|date=25 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126000916/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/mohanlal-to-be-awarded-padma-bhushan-padma-shri-for-manoj-bajpayee-prabhu-deva-and-late-kader-khan/354145|archive-date=26 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year he portrayed dacoit [[Man Singh (dacoit)|Man Singh]] in [[Abhishek Chaubey]]'s action film ''[[Sonchiriya]]''. [[Raja Sen]] in his review wrote that Bajpayee is "excellent as a rebel chief."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sonchiriya-movie-review-sushant-singh-rajput-and-ranvir-shorey-are-brilliant-as-bandits/story-b2aIAz7fhMfCauFPLmikXI.html|title=Sonchiriya movie review: Sushant Singh Rajput and Ranvir Shorey are brilliant as bandits|last=Sen|first=Raja|work=Hindustan Times|date=1 March 2019|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301082555/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sonchiriya-movie-review-sushant-singh-rajput-and-ranvir-shorey-are-brilliant-as-bandits/story-b2aIAz7fhMfCauFPLmikXI.html|archive-date=1 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, he appeared in the spy action drama web series ''[[The Family Man (Indian TV series)|The Family Man]]'', directed by [[Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K.]]. Bajpayee played the role of a middle-class man who secretly works for an intelligence agency. The series and his performance received positive response from critics with Rohit Naahar of ''Hindustan Times'' writing: "Manoj Bajpayee is, as he usually tends to be, effortlessly excellent."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/the-family-man-review-lighthearted-but-not-lightweight-amazon-and-manoj-bajpayee-have-a-winner-on-their-hands/story-Md1nRWexIIh7ogxifIrUHM.html|title=The Family Man review: Lighthearted but not lightweight; Amazon and Manoj Bajpayee have a winner on their hands|last=Naahar|first=Rohit|work=Hindustan Times|date=27 September 2019|access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref> He won the Critics Choice Best Actor, Drama Series Award at the 2020 [[Filmfare OTT Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/flyx-filmfare-ott-awards-2020-winners-so-far/articleshow/79812177.cms|title=Flyx Filmfare OTT Awards 2020: Complete winners' list|date=19 December 2020|access-date=20 December 2020}}</ref>
In 2019, he was given India's fourth highest civilian honour [[Padma Shri]] for his contributions to art.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/mohanlal-to-be-awarded-padma-bhushan-padma-shri-for-manoj-bajpayee-prabhu-deva-and-late-kader-khan/354145|title=Mohanlal to be honoured with Padma Bhushan; Padma Shri for Manoj Bajpayee, Prabhu Deva and Late Kader Khan|website=Times Now|date=25 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126000916/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/bollywood-news/article/mohanlal-to-be-awarded-padma-bhushan-padma-shri-for-manoj-bajpayee-prabhu-deva-and-late-kader-khan/354145|archive-date=26 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year he portrayed dacoit [[Man Singh (dacoit)|Man Singh]] in [[Abhishek Chaubey]]'s action film ''[[Sonchiriya]]''. [[Raja Sen]] in his review wrote that Bajpayee is "excellent as a rebel chief."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sonchiriya-movie-review-sushant-singh-rajput-and-ranvir-shorey-are-brilliant-as-bandits/story-b2aIAz7fhMfCauFPLmikXI.html|title=Sonchiriya movie review: Sushant Singh Rajput and Ranvir Shorey are brilliant as bandits|last=Sen|first=Raja|work=Hindustan Times|date=1 March 2019|access-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301082555/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/sonchiriya-movie-review-sushant-singh-rajput-and-ranvir-shorey-are-brilliant-as-bandits/story-b2aIAz7fhMfCauFPLmikXI.html|archive-date=1 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, he appeared in the spy action drama web series ''[[The Family Man (Indian TV series)|The Family Man]]'', directed by [[Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K.]] Bajpayee played the role of [[Srikant Tiwari (The Family Man)|Srikant Tiwari]], a middle-class man who secretly works for an intelligence agency. The series and his performance received positive response from critics with Rohit Naahar of ''Hindustan Times'' writing: "Manoj Bajpayee is, as he usually tends to be, effortlessly excellent."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/the-family-man-review-lighthearted-but-not-lightweight-amazon-and-manoj-bajpayee-have-a-winner-on-their-hands/story-Md1nRWexIIh7ogxifIrUHM.html|title=The Family Man review: Lighthearted but not lightweight; Amazon and Manoj Bajpayee have a winner on their hands|last=Naahar|first=Rohit|work=Hindustan Times|date=27 September 2019|access-date=5 October 2019}}</ref> He won the Critics Choice Best Actor, Drama Series Award at the 2020 [[Filmfare OTT Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/flyx-filmfare-ott-awards-2020-winners-so-far/articleshow/79812177.cms|title=Flyx Filmfare OTT Awards 2020: Complete winners' list|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 December 2020|access-date=20 December 2020}}</ref>


In 2020, Bajpayee did a supporting role in [[Shirish Kunder]]'s crime thriller film ''[[Mrs. Serial Killer]]'', co-starring [[Jacqueline Fernandez]]. The film, which was released on [[Netflix]], met with a negative response.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/20-tweets-you-should-read-before-watching-netflix-s-mrs-serial-killer/|title=21 Tweets You Should Read Before Watching Netflix's 'Mrs. Serial Killer'|last=Magan|first=Srishti|publisher=ScoopWhoop|date=2 May 2020|access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> His final release of the year was the comedy flick ''[[Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari]]'' alongside [[Diljit Dosanjh]] and [[Fatima Sana Shaikh]]. It was the first film to release theatrically in India after nearly eight months due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari Review: With Manoj Bajpayee And Diljit Dosanjh's Buoyant Performances, It Is Mildly Chucklesome|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/suraj-pe-mangal-bhari-review-with-manoj-bajpayee-and-diljit-dosanjhs-buoyant-performances-it-is-mildly-chucklesome-2-5-stars-out-of-5-2325351|last=Chatterjee|first=Saibal|publisher=NDTV|date=15 November 2020|access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> The next year, he narrated the [[Discovery+]] documentary show ''Secrets of Sinauli'', directed by Neeraj Pandey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/secrets-of-sinauli-manoj-bajpayee-neeraj-pandeys-discovery-plus-show-is-must-watch-for-indian-history-buffs/2196405/|title=Secrets of Sinauli: Manoj Bajpayee, Neeraj Pandey's Discovery Plus show is must watch for Indian history buffs|work=The Financial Express|date=17 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> Bajpayee also appeared as a cop trying to solve a murder case in the thriller ''[[Silence... Can You Hear It?]]''. The film was released on [[ZEE5]] and met with mixed critical feedback.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/990594/silence-can-you-hear-it-review-manoj-bajpayee-is-the-soul-of-a-twisty-mystery|title='Silence… Can You Hear it?' review: Manoj Bajpayee is the soul of a twisty mystery|website=Scroll.in|date=26 March 2021|accessdate=18 April 2021}}</ref>
In 2020, Bajpayee did a supporting role in [[Shirish Kunder]]'s crime thriller film ''[[Mrs. Serial Killer]]'', co-starring [[Jacqueline Fernandez]]. The film, which was released on [[Netflix]], met with a negative response.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/20-tweets-you-should-read-before-watching-netflix-s-mrs-serial-killer/|title=21 Tweets You Should Read Before Watching Netflix's 'Mrs. Serial Killer'|last=Magan|first=Srishti|publisher=ScoopWhoop|date=2 May 2020|access-date=22 July 2020}}</ref> His final release of the year was the comedy flick ''[[Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari]]'' alongside [[Diljit Dosanjh]] and [[Fatima Sana Shaikh]]. It was the first film to release theatrically in India after nearly eight months due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari Review: With Manoj Bajpayee And Diljit Dosanjh's Buoyant Performances, It Is Mildly Chucklesome|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/suraj-pe-mangal-bhari-review-with-manoj-bajpayee-and-diljit-dosanjhs-buoyant-performances-it-is-mildly-chucklesome-2-5-stars-out-of-5-2325351|last=Chatterjee|first=Saibal|publisher=NDTV|date=15 November 2020|access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> The next year, he narrated the [[Discovery+]] documentary show ''Secrets of Sinauli'', directed by Neeraj Pandey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/secrets-of-sinauli-manoj-bajpayee-neeraj-pandeys-discovery-plus-show-is-must-watch-for-indian-history-buffs/2196405/|title=Secrets of Sinauli: Manoj Bajpayee, Neeraj Pandey's Discovery Plus show is must watch for Indian history buffs|work=The Financial Express|date=17 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> Bajpayee also appeared as a cop trying to solve a murder case in the thriller ''[[Silence... Can You Hear It?]]''. The film was released on [[ZEE5]] and met with mixed critical feedback.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/990594/silence-can-you-hear-it-review-manoj-bajpayee-is-the-soul-of-a-twisty-mystery|title='Silence… Can You Hear it?' review: Manoj Bajpayee is the soul of a twisty mystery|website=Scroll.in|date=26 March 2021|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>


== Acting style ==
== Acting style and influence ==
Bajpayee is a [[Method acting|method actor]] and a director's actor, and is known for his unconventional roles in films.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2wo9BAAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+method+actor&pg=PT202|title=Hero Vol.2|last=Raj|first=Ashok|publisher=Hay House|year=2009|isbn=9789381398036|page=202|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211044019/https://books.google.com/books?id=2wo9BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT202&lpg=PT202&dq=manoj+bajpai+method+actor&source=bl&ots=nITps-ArL8&sig=BlrWSTqsHVyMRmYeKyJ6MDQ4npY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZw9qg_87JAhXKGI4KHRdoCUkQ6AEIRTAH#v=onepage&q=manoj%20bajpai%20method%20actor&f=false|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/the-method-of-manoj-bajpayee-celebrating-bollywood-s-unlikely-hero/story-YLPxf19kjckkZsTV2XMOCI.html|title=The method of Manoj Bajpayee, celebrating Bollywood's unlikely hero|last=Kaushal|first=Sweta|work=Hindustan Times|date=23 April 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211095217/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/the-method-of-manoj-bajpayee-celebrating-bollywood-s-unlikely-hero/story-YLPxf19kjckkZsTV2XMOCI.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://180.179.160.21/photogallery/4595-10.html|title=Satya to Aarakshan: Why Manoj Bajpayee is a director's actor|publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211085047/http://180.179.160.21/photogallery/4595-10.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sarkar|first=Neeti|title=Life's about choice|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article621147.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=31 August 2011|date=8 September 2010}}</ref> Actor [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] has cited Bajpayee's performance in ''Aks'' as the inspiration for his role as the antagonist in ''[[Kick (2014 film)|Kick]]'' (2014).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-wont-do-commercial-films-6838.html|title=I won't do commercial films|last=Singh|first=Raghuvendra|work=Filmfare|date=29 July 2014|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211064412/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-wont-do-commercial-films-6838.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> Bajpayee has also been vocal about the disparity in the pay he commands, in comparison to the top actors in the film industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/08/30/need-good-roles-but-need-money-too-manoj-bajpayee/|title=Need good roles but need money too: Manoj Bajpayee|last=Jamkhandikar|first=Shilpa|work=[[Reuters]]|date=30 August 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211124223/http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/08/30/need-good-roles-but-need-money-too-manoj-bajpayee/|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/ive-done-enough-acting-now-i-want-money-manoj-bajpayee-4099.html|title=I've done enough acting, now I want money – Manoj Bajpayee|last=Sharma|first=Suman|work=Filmfare|date=5 September 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211062931/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/ive-done-enough-acting-now-i-want-money-manoj-bajpayee-4099.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> He has cited Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah and Raghubir Yadav as his inspirations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/22manoj.htm|title=The importance of being Manoj Bajpai|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=22 August 2000|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125814/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/22manoj.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
Bajpayee is a [[Method acting|method actor]] and a director's actor, and is known for his unconventional roles in films.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2wo9BAAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+method+actor&pg=PT202|title=Hero Vol.2|last=Raj|first=Ashok|publisher=Hay House|year=2009|isbn=9789381398036|pages=202|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211044019/https://books.google.com/books?id=2wo9BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT202&lpg=PT202&dq=manoj+bajpai+method+actor&source=bl&ots=nITps-ArL8&sig=BlrWSTqsHVyMRmYeKyJ6MDQ4npY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZw9qg_87JAhXKGI4KHRdoCUkQ6AEIRTAH#v=onepage&q=manoj%20bajpai%20method%20actor&f=false|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/the-method-of-manoj-bajpayee-celebrating-bollywood-s-unlikely-hero/story-YLPxf19kjckkZsTV2XMOCI.html|title=The method of Manoj Bajpayee, celebrating Bollywood's unlikely hero|last=Kaushal|first=Sweta|work=Hindustan Times|date=23 April 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211095217/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/the-method-of-manoj-bajpayee-celebrating-bollywood-s-unlikely-hero/story-YLPxf19kjckkZsTV2XMOCI.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://180.179.160.21/photogallery/4595-10.html|title=Satya to Aarakshan: Why Manoj Bajpayee is a director's actor|publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211085047/http://180.179.160.21/photogallery/4595-10.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sarkar|first=Neeti|title=Life's about choice|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/article621147.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=31 August 2011|date=8 September 2010}}</ref> Actor [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]] has cited Bajpayee's performance in [[Aks (2001 film)]] as the inspiration for his role as the antagonist in ''[[Kick (2014 film)|Kick]]'' (2014).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-wont-do-commercial-films-6838.html|title=I won't do commercial films|last=Singh|first=Raghuvendra|work=Filmfare|date=29 July 2014|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211064412/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-wont-do-commercial-films-6838.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> Bajpayee has also been vocal about the disparity in the pay he commands, in comparison to the top actors in the film industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/08/30/need-good-roles-but-need-money-too-manoj-bajpayee/|title=Need good roles but need money too: Manoj Bajpayee|last=Jamkhandikar|first=Shilpa|work=[[Reuters]]|date=30 August 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211124223/http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2013/08/30/need-good-roles-but-need-money-too-manoj-bajpayee/|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/ive-done-enough-acting-now-i-want-money-manoj-bajpayee-4099.html|title=I've done enough acting, now I want money – Manoj Bajpayee|last=Sharma|first=Suman|work=Filmfare|date=5 September 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211062931/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/ive-done-enough-acting-now-i-want-money-manoj-bajpayee-4099.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> He has cited Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah and Raghubir Yadav as his inspirations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/22manoj.htm|title=The importance of being Manoj Bajpai|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|work=Rediff.com|date=22 August 2000|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125814/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/22manoj.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>


Director Ram Gopal Varma considers him to be "an education" for himself and said he is "simply the best actor I've ever worked with."<ref name="kind" /> Shekhar Kapur, who directed him in ''Bandit Queen'', recalls: "Manoj had the ability to portray a lot just by doing little. He never tried to overplay a scene and seemed totally comfortable with a minimalist statement."<ref name="kind" /> According to director Hansal Mehta, Manoj "has the ability to transform himself like few others."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/personalities/hansal-mehta-aligarh-interview-manoj-bajpai-gq-india/|title=The problem with actors? They're too disciplined|last=Gupta|first=Nidhi|work=[[GQ (Indian edition)|GQ]]|date=28 October 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211085213/http://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/personalities/hansal-mehta-aligarh-interview-manoj-bajpai-gq-india/|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref>
Director Ram Gopal Varma considers him to be "an education" for himself and said he is "simply the best actor I've ever worked with."<ref name="kind" /> Shekhar Kapur, who directed him in ''Bandit Queen'', recalls: "Manoj had the ability to portray a lot just by doing little. He never tried to overplay a scene and seemed totally comfortable with a minimalist statement."<ref name="kind" /> According to director Hansal Mehta, Manoj "has the ability to transform himself like few others."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/personalities/hansal-mehta-aligarh-interview-manoj-bajpai-gq-india/|title=The problem with actors? They're too disciplined|last=Gupta|first=Nidhi|work=[[GQ (Indian edition)|GQ]]|date=28 October 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211085213/http://www.gqindia.com/get-smart/personalities/hansal-mehta-aligarh-interview-manoj-bajpai-gq-india/|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref>


Bajpayee's performance as Bhiku Mhatre in ''Satya'' is considered to be one of the most memorable characters of Hindi cinema, along with his dialogue in it: "Mumbai ka king kaun? Bhiku Mhatre" (Who is the king of Mumbai? Bhiku Mhatre).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/100-years-of-bollywood-10-characters-we-love/211818|title=100 years of Bollywood: 10 characters we love|work=Mid Day|date=3 May 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211073842/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/100-years-of-bollywood-10-characters-we-love/211818|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/top-lists/Top-10-Dons-of-Bollywood/videols/19930293.cms|title=Top 10 Dons of Bollywood|work=The Times of India|date=14 May 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304134222/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/top-lists/Top-10-Dons-of-Bollywood/videols/19930293.cms|archive-date=4 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/dialoguebaazi-the-tough-men/story-moGv3zA3ihceHFJW3bgbyN.html|title=#Dialoguebaazi: The tough men|last1=Ali|first1=Asad|last2=Usman|first2=Yasser|work=Hindustan Times|date=12 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211075111/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/dialoguebaazi-the-tough-men/story-moGv3zA3ihceHFJW3bgbyN.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/18sl8.htm|title=Where have the evil lines gone?|last=Sen|first=Raja|work=Rediff.com|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105121819/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/18sl8.htm|archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> [[Kay Kay Menon]] credits this character as a turning point for other method actors: "If it were not for Manoj's brilliant performance in ''Satya'', actors like [[Irrfan Khan|Irrfan]] and me might still be waiting to be accepted. Manoj opened the doors for us."<ref name="indie" /> Writing about the character in his book ''Popcorn Essayists'', journalist-writer [[Jai Arjun Singh]] wrote that "the "earthiness" and the "authenticity" [of the character], was the subtle result of a persistence in Bajpai's performance."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6zwQG-xYuzcC&q=bhiku+mhatre&pg=PT70|title=Popcorn Essayists|last=Jai|first=Arjun Singh|publisher=Westland|year=2011|isbn=9789380658353|page=70}}</ref>
Bajpayee's performance as Bhiku Mhatre in ''Satya'' is considered to be one of the most memorable characters of Hindi cinema, along with his dialogue in it: "Mumbai ka king kaun? Bhiku Mhatre" (Who is the king of Mumbai? Bhiku Mhatre).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/100-years-of-bollywood-10-characters-we-love/211818|title=100 years of Bollywood: 10 characters we love|work=[[Mid-Day]]|date=3 May 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211073842/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/100-years-of-bollywood-10-characters-we-love/211818|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/top-lists/Top-10-Dons-of-Bollywood/videols/19930293.cms|title=Top 10 Dons of Bollywood|work=The Times of India|date=14 May 2013|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304134222/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/top-lists/Top-10-Dons-of-Bollywood/videols/19930293.cms|archive-date=4 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/dialoguebaazi-the-tough-men/story-moGv3zA3ihceHFJW3bgbyN.html|title=#Dialoguebaazi: The tough men|last1=Ali|first1=Asad|last2=Usman|first2=Yasser|work=Hindustan Times|date=12 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211075111/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/dialoguebaazi-the-tough-men/story-moGv3zA3ihceHFJW3bgbyN.html|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/18sl8.htm|title=Where have the evil lines gone?|last=Sen|first=Raja|work=Rediff.com|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105121819/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/18sl8.htm|archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> [[Kay Kay Menon]] credits this character as a turning point for other method actors: "If it were not for Manoj's brilliant performance in ''Satya'', actors like [[Irrfan Khan|Irrfan]] and me might still be waiting to be accepted. Manoj opened the doors for us."<ref name="indie" /> Writing about the character in his book ''Popcorn Essayists'', journalist-writer [[Jai Arjun Singh]] wrote that "the "earthiness" and the "authenticity" [of the character], was the subtle result of a persistence in Bajpai's performance."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6zwQG-xYuzcC&q=bhiku+mhatre&pg=PT70|title=Popcorn Essayists|last=Jai|first=Arjun Singh|publisher=Westland|year=2011|isbn=9789380658353|pages=70}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
=== Films ===
{{main|Manoj Bajpayee filmography}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Key
| style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}
| Denotes films that have not yet been released
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col"|Film
! scope="col"|Role
! class="unsortable" scope="col"|Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" |1994
!scope="row"| ''[[Bandit Queen]]''
| Dacoit Man Singh
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Drohkaal]]''
| Anand
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1996
!scope="row"| ''[[Dastak (1996 film)|Dastak]]''
| Avinash Banerjee
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Sanshodhan]]''
| Bhanwar
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1997
!scope="row"| ''[[Tamanna (1997 film)|Tamanna]]''
| Salim
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Daud (film)|Daud]]''
| Pushkar
|
|-
| 1998
!scope="row"| ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]''
| Bhiku Mhatre
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1999
!scope="row"| ''[[Prema Katha]]''
| Sankaram
| Telugu Film
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Kaun (film)|Kaun]]''
| Sameer A. Purnavale
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Shool]]''
| Inspector Samar Pratap Singh
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2000
!scope="row"| ''[[Fiza]]''
| Murad Khan
| Cameo
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar]]''
| Ram Saran Pandey
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Ghaath]]''
| Krishna Patil
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2001
!scope="row"| ''[[Zubeidaa]]''
| Maharaja Vijayendra Singh
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Aks (2001 film)|Aks]]''
| Raghavan Ghatge
|
|-
| 2002
!scope="row"| ''[[Road (film)|Road]]''
| Babu
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2003
!scope="row"| ''[[Pinjar (film)|Pinjar]]''
| Rashid
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[LOC Kargil]]''
| [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]]
|
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2004
!scope="row"| ''Hanan''
| Pagla/Shamsher
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Jaago (2004 film)|Jaago]]''
| Inspector Kripa Shankar Thakur
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Veer-Zaara]]''
| Raza Sharazi
|
|-
!scope="row"|  ''[[Inteqam: The Perfect Game]]''
| Uday Dhirendra Thakur
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2005
!scope="row"| ''Return to Rajapur''
| Jai Singh
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Bewafaa (2005 film)|Bewafaa]]''
| Dil Arora
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Fareb (2005 film)|Fareb]]''
| Aditya Malhotra
|
|-
| 2006
!scope="row"| ''[[Happy (2006 film)|Happy]]''
| [[Deputy Commissioner|DCP]] Arvind
| Telugu Film
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2007
!scope="row"| ''[[1971 (2007 film)|1971]]''
| Major Suraj Singh
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Swami (2007 film)|Swami]]''
| Swami
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Dus Kahaniyaan]]''
| Saahil
|
|-
| 2008
!scope="row"| ''[[Money Hai Toh Honey Hai]]''
| Lallabhai Bharodia
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2009
!scope="row"| ''Jugaad''
| Sandip
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Acid Factory]]''
| Sultan
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Jail (2009 film)|Jail]]''
| Nawab
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2010
!scope="row"| ''[[Puli (2010 film)|Puli]]''
| Al Saleem
| Telugu Film
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Vedam (film)|Vedam]]''
| Raheemuddin Qureshi
| Telugu Film
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Raajneeti]]''
| Veerendra Pratap
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Ramayana: The Epic]]''
| [[Rama]] (Voice)
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Dus Tola]]''
| Shankar Sunar
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011
!scope="row"| ''[[Aarakshan]]''
| Mithilesh Singh
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Lanka (2011 film)|Lanka]]''
| Jaswant Sisodia
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2012
!scope="row"| ''[[Chittagong (film)|Chittagong]]''
| [[Surya Sen]]
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1]]''
| Sardar Khan
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Chakravyuh (2012 film)|Chakravyuh]]''
| Rajan
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2013
!scope="row"| ''[[Samar (2013 film)|Samar]]''
| Rajesh Arunachalam
| Tamil Film
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Special 26]]''
| CBI Officer Waseem Khan
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Shootout at Wadala]]''
| [[Shabir Ibrahim Kaskar]]
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Satyagraha (film)|Satyagraha]]''
| Balram Singh
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Mahabharat (2013 film)|Mahabharat]]''
| [[Yudhisthira]] (Voice)
|
|-
| 2014
!scope="row"| ''[[Anjaan (2014 film)|Anjaan]]''
| Imran Bhai
| Tamil Film
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2015
!scope="row"| ''[[Tevar]]''
| Gajendar Singh
|
|-
!scope="row"| ''Jai Hind''
| Husband
| Short Film
|-
| rowspan="7" | 2016
!scope="row"| ''Taandav''
| Tambe
| Short Film
|-
!scope="row"| ''[[Aligarh (film)|Aligarh]]''
| [[Ramchandra Siras]]
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Traffic (2016 film)|Traffic]]''
| Constable Ramdas Godbole
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Kriti (film)|Kriti]]''
| Sapan
| Short Film
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Budhia Singh – Born to Run]]''
| Biranchi Das
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Saat Uchakkey]]''
| Pappi
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''Ouch''
| Vinay
| Short Film
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2017
! scope="row" | ''[[Naam Shabana]]''
| Ranveer Singh
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Sarkar 3]]''
| Govind Deshpande
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Rukh (film)|Rukh]]''
| Divakar Mathur
|
|-
| rowspan="7" |2018
! scope="row" | ''[[Aiyaary]]''
| Colonel Abhay Singh
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Baaghi 2]]''
| [[Deputy inspector general of police|DIG]] Ajay Shergill
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Missing (2018 film)|Missing]]''
| Sushant Dubey
| Also Producer
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Satyameva Jayate (2018 film)|Satyameva Jayate]]''
| [[Deputy Commissioner of Police (India)|DCP]] Shivansh Rathod
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Gali Guleiyan]]''
| Khuddoos
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Love Sonia]]''
|Faizal
|
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Bhonsle (film)|Bhonsle]]''
|Ganpath Bhonsle
|Also Producer
|-
|2019
! scope="row"| ''[[Sonchiriya]]''
|[[Man Singh (dacoit)|Man Singh]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|2020
! scope="row"| ''[[Mrs. Serial Killer]]''
| Dr. Mrityunjoy Mukerjee
| [[Netflix]] Film
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari]]''
|Madhu Mangal Rane
|
|-
| rowspan="5"|2021
! scope="row"|''[[Silence... Can You Hear It?]]''
| ACP Avinash Verma
| [[Zee5]] Film
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#FFFFCC;"| ''[[Dial 100 (2021 film)|Dial 100]]''
|TBA
| Filming<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/amp/articles/manoj-bajpayee-begins-shoot-of-a-thriller-with-neena-gupta-and-sakshi-tanwar/23119232|title=Manoj Bajpayee begins shoot of a thriller with Neena Gupta and Sakshi Tanwar|date=1 December 2020|website=Mid Day}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#FFFFCC;"| ''[[Kurup (film)|Kurup]]''
|TBA
| Post-production<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dulquer-salmaan-shares-kurup-poster-in-an-ideal-world-the-film-would-have-released-in-theatres-1681307-2020-05-24|title=Dulquer Salmaan shares Kurup poster: In an ideal world, the film would have released in theatres|work=India Today|last=K|first=Janani|date=24 May 2020|accessdate=6 June 2021}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#FFFFCC;"| ''Despatch''
|TBA
| Filming<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/manoj-bajpayee-begins-filming-despatch-7178001/|title=Manoj Bajpayee begins filming Despatch|work=The Indian Express|date=7 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref>
|}


=== Television ===
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Manoj Bajpayee}}
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" |  Network
|-
| 1993
! scope="row"| ''Shikast''
|
|
|-
|1993
! scope="row"|''Hum Bambai Nahin Jayenge''
|
|BI Television
|-
| 1994
! scope="row"|''Kalakaar''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1995
! scope="row"|''[[Imtihaan (TV series)|Imtihaan]]''
|
|[[DD National]]
|-
! scope="row"|''[[Swabhimaan]]''
| Sunil
| [[DD National]]
|-
! scope="row"|''Kurukshetra''
|
| [[Zee TV]]
|-
|1996
! scope="row"|''Badalte Rishte''
|Arvind Verma
|
|-
|1997
! scope="row"|''Gaatha''
|
|[[Star Plus]]
|-
| 2019–present
! scope="row"| ''[[The Family Man (Indian TV series)|The Family Man]]''
| Srikant Tiwari
| [[Amazon Prime Video]]
|-
| 2021
! scope="row"| ''[[Neeraj Pandey|Secrets Of Sinauli]]''
| Narrator
| [[Discovery+]]
|-
| 2021
! scope="row"| ''[[Ray (series)|Ray]]''
| Musafir Ali
|[[Netflix]]
|-
|}
 
=== Music videos ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align: margin;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width: 18em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width: 4em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width: 8em;"| Role
! scope="col" style="width: 20em;"| Notes
! scope="col" style="width: 2em;" | {{tooltip|Ref.|References}}
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[Bambai Main Ka Ba]]''
| 2020
| Himself
| Also Playback Singer
|
|-
|}
 
==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Work
! Category
! Result
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1998
| [[National Film Awards]]
|rowspan="3"| ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]''
| [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]]
| {{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="7"| [[Filmfare Awards]]
| [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|1999
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Shool]]''
| [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Aks (2001 film)|Aks]]''
|rowspan="2"| [[Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Road (film)|Road]]''
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2003
| ''[[LOC Kargil]]''
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[National Film Awards]]
| ''[[Pinjar (film)|Pinjar]]''
| [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (Feature Film)]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| 2010
|rowspan="2"| [[Filmfare Awards]]
| ''[[Raajneeti]]''
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1]]''
| [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2016
| [[Filmfare Short Film Awards]]
| ''Taandav''
| Filmfare Award For Best Actor In A Short Film
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Filmfare Awards]]
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Aligarh (film)|Aligarh]]''
| [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor]]
| {{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[Asia Pacific Screen Awards]]
|rowspan="2"| [[Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor]]
| {{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2018
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Bhonsle (film)|Bhonsle]]''
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[National Film Awards]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Actor]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| 2020
| [[Filmfare OTT Awards]]
|rowspan="2"| ''[[The Family Man (Indian TV series)|The Family Man]]''
| Filmfare OTT Award For Best Actor In A Drama Series (Critics)
| {{Won}}
|-
| 2021
| IWMBuzz Digital Awards
| Cinthol Most Popular Actor In A Web Series (Drama)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.iwmbuzz.com/digital/news-digital/full-list-winners-iwmbuzz-digital-awards-season-3/2021/03/18|title=IWMBuzz Digital Awards Season 3: Manoj Bajpayee Won Cinthol Most Popular Actor In A Web Series (Drama) For The Family Man|date=18 March 2021|work=IWMBuzz|access-date=14 June 2021|language=en}}</ref>
| {{Won}}
|-
|}


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://news24online.com/news/entertainment/filmfare-ott-awards-2021-manoj-bajpayee-samantha-clinch-top-honours-family-man-475ba28d/|title=Filmfare OTT Awards 2021: Manoj Bajpayee, Samantha clinch top honours for 'The Family Man'|date=11 December 2021}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2021/12/10/filmfare-ott-awards-2021-the-family-man-2-and-scam-1992-win-big.html|title = Filmfare OTT Awards 2021: The Family Man 2 and Scam 1992' win big}}


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oW0-CQAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+preparing+for+shool&pg=PA204|title=Studying Indian Cinema|last=Ahmed|first=Omar|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|year=2015|isbn=978-0-9932384-9-9|page=204}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oW0-CQAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+preparing+for+shool&pg=PA204|title=Studying Indian Cinema|last=Ahmed|first=Omar|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|year=2015|isbn=978-0-9932384-9-9|pages=204}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2wo9BAAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+method+actor&pg=PT202|title=Hero Vol.2|last=Raj|first=Ashok|publisher=Hay House|year=2009|isbn=9789381398036|page=202}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2wo9BAAAQBAJ&q=manoj+bajpai+method+actor&pg=PT202|title=Hero Vol.2|last=Raj|first=Ashok|publisher=Hay House|year=2009|isbn=9789381398036|pages=202}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6zwQG-xYuzcC&q=bhiku+mhatre&pg=PT70|title=Popcorn Essayists|last=Jai|first=Arjun Singh|author-link=Jai Arjun Singh|publisher=Westland|year=2011|isbn=9789380658353|page=70}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6zwQG-xYuzcC&q=bhiku+mhatre&pg=PT70|title=Popcorn Essayists|last=Jai|first=Arjun Singh|author-link=Jai Arjun Singh|publisher=Westland|year=2011|isbn=9789380658353|pages=70}}
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


Line 621: Line 117:
| list =
| list =
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{NationalFilmAwardBestSupportingActor}}
{{Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Actor}}
{{National Film Award Best Supporting Actor}}
{{National Film Award Special Jury Award Feature Film}}
{{National Film Award Special Jury Award Feature Film}}
{{FilmfareCriticsAwardBestPerformance}}
{{Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor}}
{{ScreenAwardBestActorNegativeRole}}
{{ScreenAwardBestSupportingActor}}
{{Screen Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role}}
{{ZeeCineAwardBestSupportingActorMale}}
}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{good article}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bajpayee, Manoj}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bajpayee, Manoj}}
Line 641: Line 139:
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:University of Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:Delhi University alumni]]
[[Category:Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Special Jury Award (feature film) National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Special Jury Award (feature film) National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Film producers from Bihar]]
[[Category:Film producers from Bihar]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:Screen Awards winners]]
[[Category:Zee Cine Awards winners]]
[[Category:Best Actor National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Actor National Film Award winners]]
 
[[Category:Asia Pacific Screen Award winners]]
{{Source Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Ramjas College alumni]]
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