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Manoj Bajpayee and his first director, Shekhar Kapur share a heartfelt moment on the IFFI stage

en Bollywood News Manoj Bajpayee and his first director, Shekhar Kapur share a heartfelt moment on the IFFI stage

30 years ago, the two stars collaborated for the crime thriller Bandit Queen, based on the life of Phoolan Devi.

The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) witnessed a poignant and emotional moment when renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, the man who gave Manoj Bajpayee his first big break, was in the audience for the screening of his ZEE5 original film Despatch. It was a full-circle moment that underscored the deep bond between the mentor and his protégé.

Manoj Bajpayee and his first director, Shekhar Kapur share a heartfelt moment on the IFFI stage

Manoj Bajpayee and his first director, Shekhar Kapur share a heartfelt moment on the IFFI stage

Reflecting on the experience, Manoj Bajpayee said , "It’s incredibly humbling and nostalgic to have Shekhar Kapur Sir watch Despatch. He was the one who first saw potential in me and gave me my debut in Bandit Queen. To have him here, witnessing my work so many years later, is a full-circle moment. His presence is both an honor and a source of immense inspiration.” This heartfelt interaction added a special layer of emotion to IFFI, celebrating not only the art of storytelling but also the enduring relationships it nurtures.

For the unversed, Bandit Queen starring Seema Biswas, Nirmal Pandey, Govind Namdev, Gajraj Rao, and others is a 1994 biographical crime drama based on the book India's Bandit Queen: The True Story of Phoolan Devi written by Mala Sen. It traces the journey of a young girl from a lower caste who is forced to resort to violent means and become a dacoit to protect herself from the predatory men who raped and abused her for years. The film received a lot of critical acclaim along with National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie and Best Direction for that year.

Despatch is a gripping thriller that delves into the dark and complex world of investigative journalism. Directed by Kanu Behl, it stars Manoj Bajpayee, Shahana Goswami and Arrchita Agarwaal in powerful roles. The film explores themes of morality, greed, and the lengths one can go to uncover the truth. Set against the backdrop of a crumbling media industry, the story follows a journalist whose obsession with his work leads him into a web of deceit, corruption, and self-discovery. Despatch will stream on ZEE5 December 13 2024.

Also Read: Manoj Bajpayee says, “I wanted to work with Subhash Ghai Ji from the day I landed in Mumbai” as they unite for a short film


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