'Family Man's' Manoj Bajpayee's First Secret Marriage And The Possible Reason Behind Their Divorce

We all know and love Manoj Bajpayee. The actor, who has worked in the film industry for decades and has received several accolades, is among the few actors who have brought context-based films to a broader audience in Bollywood. From commercial films to a series of content-based movies, Manoj has beautifully known the art of striking a balance between commercial and parallel cinema. Over the decades, his work has been immensely praised and awarded. The actor has received four National Film Awards and six Filmfare Awards, which attest to his impeccable work.

We have seen Manoj deliver a series of timeless performances in movies across different genres. Apart from dominating the big screen with his powerful acting performances, Manoj Bajpayee also created a stir in the OTT space with his work in The Family Man. The series introduced the iconic actor to a new generation and made him part of pop culture, thanks to its iconic scenes that became memes. While everyone knows everything about Manoj Bajpayee's film career, not many know that he has been married twice. So, as Manoj wins over the world with The Family Man Season 3, let's take a look at his first marriage that remained a secret for a long time.

Who is Manoj Bajpayee's first wife? 

Manoj Bajpayee is known to be one of the most talented and versatile actors of the generation. The actor has won over the audience with his film choices and his acting skills. The actor's work has been widely discussed by fans and film critics alike. However, when it comes to his personal life, he has been fiercely private. As a result, not much is known about his family and early life. However, one of the most intriguing aspects of his life is that his second partner is his wife, Shabana Raza. Yes! The actor has been married twice, so let's meet his first wife.

According to a report by AajTak, Manoj Bajpayee married his first wife before he even entered the film industry. The actor tied the knot in his hometown, Belwa, Bihar. The marriage was arranged with the consent of his parents, Radhakant Bajpai and Geeta Devi. However, soon after he got married, he left for Mumbai, leaving his wife behind. He wanted to try his luck in the film industry. While nothing is known about his first wife, a possible reason for their marriage falling apart has been speculated.

What led to Manoj Bajpayee's divorce from his first wife?

Like most aspiring actors who come to Mumbai with a dream to make it big in the world of glam and glitz, Manoj Bajpayee also suffered a series of rejections. While he struggled to make ends meet, he never let rejections undermine his commitment to becoming an actor. However, while his passion for acting never dimmed, his marriage never ignited as his wife had hoped. During tough phases, cracks began to appear in Manoj Bajpayee's marriage, and financial scarcity reportedly paved the way for their divorce. 

Manoj Bajpayee never spoke about his first marriage or the reason behind it. To date, his first wife's identity and background remain a secret. It was indeed a hard phase for the actor, but he continued working towards his dream. Finally, he got the reward for his sheer determination in 1994, when he made his acting debut in 1994 the film, Drohkaal, which was directed by Govind Nihalani. It was just a one-minute role, but it was enough to catch Shekhar Kapur's attention, who cast Manoj Bajpayee in a small role in his film, Bandit Queen. 

Manoj Bajpayee's second wife, Shabana Raza 

While Manoj Bajpayee has kept his first marriage a secret, his second marriage to Shabana Raza is well known. For those who are not aware, Manoj and Shabana tied the knot in 2006 after dating for over 8 years. However, they only stepped into parenthood in 2011. The couple welcomed a beautiful little princess whom they named Ava Nayla. Talking about Manoj Bajpayee's wife, Shabana Raza, her profession is a former film actress who worked in films like Kareeb, Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, Fiza, Rahul, and Aatma. As of now, she works as a film producer and guides her husband, Manoj, in deciding on scripts.

Manoj Bajpayee's impeccable acting career 

After four years of his debut in 1994, Manoj Bajpayee was signed by Ram Gopal Varma to play the role of 'Bhiku Mhatre' in his film, Satya. The role became his golden ticket into the industry, and the rest is history. The actor has since won several accolades and earned a place right up there in the list of India's greatest actors ever. Not only this, but he was also bestowed with the Padma Shri award back in 2019 for his incredible contribution to Indian cinema.

Manoj Bajpayee's journey from a childhood dream to relocating from Bihar to Delhi at seventeen and then applying for the National School of Drama, only to be rejected four times, yet still becoming one of the most well-known actors in the industry, is truly impeccable. Among his biggest hits are Bandit Queen, Satya, Kaun?, Aks, Road, LOC: Kargil, Shool, Pinjar, Raajneeti, Gangs of Wasseypur, Special 26, Aligarh, Bhonsle, Joram, and many more. 

What are your thoughts on Manoj Bajpayee's lesser-known first marriage? Let us know.

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