Mumbai, October 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actor Manoj Bajpayee believes streaming platforms have opened up new opportunities for performers who struggled to find meaningful roles in mainstream Bollywood, giving them greater professional recognition and financial stability.
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Bajpayee said OTT platforms had created space for male actors who were previously overlooked by mainstream cinema, allowing them to take on substantial roles and earn the respect they deserved.
“Male actors could not even get consumed by mainstream cinema. They are getting so much respect on OTT,” he said, highlighting how the shift in the entertainment industry has benefited performers who found limited opportunities in conventional films.
Bajpayee added that the work available on streaming platforms had also helped these actors maintain their lifestyles and find greater comfort in their lives.
His remarks come as OTT platforms continue to provide opportunities for stories and characters that may not always fit the traditional commercial-film formula.
Throughout his career, Bajpayee has built a reputation for portraying complex and unconventional characters, from Bhiku Mhatre in Satya and Sardar Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur to Professor Ramchandra Siras in Aligarh and the titular character in Bhonsle.
His role as intelligence officer Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man further demonstrated his ability to combine action, humour and everyday vulnerability in a layered performance.
Bajpayee was recently seen in Gajab Raat, a suspense thriller featuring Divya Dutta. He plays a police officer in the film, produced by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Ritesh Shah. The film premiered on Netflix on October 23, 2026.
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