Manoj Bajpayee's journey into the world of acting holds a tale interwoven with his family's love for cinema. But there is also that missing bit which is not known—that his father was not just a casual moviegoer but a true cinephile. His film-loving father probably sowed the seeds of fascination for the art form in Manoj's heart, and ultimately, it led him to a flourishing career in Bollywood.
Journalist-author Piyush Pandey, in his book titled "Manoj Bajpayee: The Definitive Biography," confides that Manoj's late father, Radhakant Bajpayee, was no ordinary movie-goer but a true cinephile. His film-loving father probably planted the seeds of fascination for the art form in Manoj's heart, ultimately leading him to the glittering world of Bollywood.
The book reveals a fascinating incident during the Chhath festival when Radhakant happened upon a prospectus of the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune while cleaning the house.It was discovered that Radhakant auditioned for an acting course at the institute on a college trip to Pune, during which luminary figures of Manoj Kumar and Dharmendra were there.
However, Radhakant's bond with movie land was not confined to this. In his college days, he took on a part-time role as a 'Film Babu,' in charge of transporting film reels from distributors to theaters. The book describes him as a 'true cinemaphile.'
Described by Manoj as a "filmchi," Radhakant was an ardent admirer of actors like Dilip Kumar, Motilal, and Dev Anand. He cherished the dream of seeing his son share the screen with such legends, a dream that remained unfulfilled till his last breath.
"I used to read Filmfare and watch many films. I liked Motilal and Dev Anand, apart from Dilip Kumar. Dev Anand was a hero, but Motilal and Dilip Kumar were actors, said Radhakant, thinking out loud, in the book.
Radhakant Bajpayee took his last breath on October 21, 2021, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic passion and dreams. The book, priced at Rs 375, is a tribute to the intricate bond between a father's celluloid dreams and his son's cinematic journey, published by Penguin Random House India.
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