Manoj Bajpayee On Shah Rukh Khan's Charisma: “He Always Had That Special Charm”

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Actor Manoj Bajpayee reflects on his early theatre days with Shah Rukh Khan, revealing how SRK’s charisma and desire for stardom made him stand out.

Manoj Bajpayee recently reflected on his early theatre days, sharing insights about his time training with Shah Rukh Khan under acting coach Barry John in New Delhi. While they were batchmates, Manoj revealed that their ambitions and personalities set them on distinctly different paths from the start.

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In an interview with Mojo Story, Manoj shared that Shah Rukh had always aspired to be in the spotlight, naturally drawing people toward him with his charisma and charm. In contrast, Manoj preferred to stay out of the limelight, content with keeping a low profile. He mentioned that he never sought to be surrounded by followers or to occupy the spotlight.

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Manoj clarified that he holds no resentment toward Shah Rukh’s immense success, explaining that his confidence has only ever been shaken by personal failures, not by others’ achievements. He expressed gratitude to Barry John for supporting him through challenges, including his struggles with English, by giving him smaller roles in plays featuring actors like Divya Seth and Rituraj Singh.

Reflecting on Shah Rukh’s innate charm, Manoj described him as someone who always seemed to belong to a “khas duniya” (special world). He noted that even back then, Shah Rukh was always surrounded by people, while Manoj preferred a quieter approach. The two actors, he explained, were never close friends due to their differing social circles and aspirations, a dynamic that remains unchanged.

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Today, both actors have carved out successful careers in their unique ways. Shah Rukh, often called the King of Bollywood, has dominated the industry for over three decades. Manoj, meanwhile, has gained critical acclaim for his powerful performances in films like Satya and his lead role in the series The Family Man.

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Currently, Manoj’s latest film Despatch premiered on Zee5 on December 13, 2024, while Shah Rukh is gearing up for his next major release, Sujoy Ghosh’s King, alongside Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Abhay Verma.