Manoj Bajpayee Breaks Silence On Losing Out National Award To Shah Rukh Khan For 'Jawan'

After decades of superstardom, Shah Rukh Khan finally won his first-ever National Award for his blockbuster, Jawan. The announcement sent waves of celebration across social media, with fans hailing it as a historic win for the actor. However, many cinephiles felt that Manoj Bajpayee’s critically acclaimed performance in Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai should have clinched the honour instead, sparking debate online. Now, Manoj has finally reacted to the same.

Manoj Bajpayee responds to comparisons with Shah Rukh Khan

In a conversation with India Today, Manoj Bajpayee dismissed comparisons with Shah Rukh Khan’s victory, calling such discussions ‘a loser conversation’. He acknowledged Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai as a special film in his career, but emphasised that the National Award outcome should be left in the past now. For Manoj, the focus remains on his body of work rather than accolades. He could be quoted as saying:

“It is useless conversation because it is gone. When it comes to Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, yes, it is a very special film in my filmography, and so was Joram. They are going to be on top of my filmography. But I don’t discuss these things because it is a very loser conversation. It is in the past and it should be left alone.”

Manoj Bajpayee on National Awards losing relevance

In the same conversation, the acclaimed actor, who has previously won National Awards for Satya (1999), Pinjar (2004), Bhonsle (2021) and Gulmohar (2024), reflected on how awards are gradually losing their credibility. Manoj pointed out that the shift towards celebrating commercial success is diluting the real essence of such awards. He suggested that awarding bodies should introspect and reassess their processes. He added that protecting his artistic respect comes through the roles he chooses, not external recognition or any award he receives. He said:

“It’s not just about national awards. It’s about all the awards that were revered. They should seriously think about how they are operating. Because it is not about my respect, I take care of my respect very cautiously when I’m choosing a film, and I’m very responsible to the actor that I am. But each and every organisation have to think of themselves, that’s not my job. If somebody else is losing their respect, they should think about it.”

Why Manoj Bajpayee doesn’t believe in award shows?

Manoj also admitted that he does not fully believe in the very concept of awards. Indian cinema spans across many languages and genres, and he feels no award can truly measure performances on equal grounds. He explained that trophies are merely ‘pieces of decoration’ and not something he attaches importance to. For him, the real victory lies in connecting with the audience and telling meaningful stories. He could be quoted as saying:

“I think for me, the idea of an award show is wrong…It is just a piece of decoration in your house. Everyday you are not going to stand in front of it and say ‘wow, I got this’.”

Despite his personal view, Manoj said he attends award shows out of respect for organisers. However, he doesn’t attach personal worth to winning or losing. While fans may continue to debate who deserved the National Award more, Manoj’s response shows he has long moved beyond such comparisons.

What are your thoughts about Manoj Bajpayee's reaction towards losing the National Award to Shah Rukh Khan?

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