Actor Manoj Bajpayee has recently gained significant acclaim for his role in the much-anticipated third season of The Family Man. In an engaging discussion with Kusha Kapila and comedian Ravi Gupta, Bajpayee shared his candid thoughts on the current dynamics of insecurity among actors in Bollywood.
Jaideep Ahlawat, a co-star in the series, reflected on an emotional moment shared between him and Bajpayee during the release of Paatal Lok season 1, where a heartfelt call from Bajpayee left him in tears. He recounted, “Manoj bhai called me at night and spoke to me for 15–20 minutes. I will never forget that for the rest of my life. And after that, I cried a lot.” Bajpayee humorously suggested that Ahlawat should open an acting school, expressing his desire to be his student.
Delving deeper into the subject of insecurity, Bajpayee noted that professional rivalry often discourages actors from praising each other’s work. “In our industry, actors will never praise each other,” he explained. “They’ll never call to appreciate someone’s work because they are very insecure. Even now, I still call people to ask for work. Kyunki main paidayshi struggler hoon (Because I am a born struggler).”
The duo has a history of collaboration, having previously appeared together in Gangs of Wasseypur and Chittagong. In The Family Man season 3, Bajpayee returns as Srikant Tiwari, while Ahlawat portrays Rukma, the season’s antagonist.
The recently released season marks the show’s return after a four-year hiatus, quickly becoming the most-watched series of 2025 during its debut week on Prime Video India. Created by Raj & DK, The Family Man features a stellar cast, including Manoj Bajpayee, Nimrat Kaur, Ashlesha Thakur, Sharib Hashmi, Priyamani, and Jaideep Ahlawat. The plot follows Srikant, who turns into a fugitive following a mishap in the Northeast, attempting to evade his own agency while safeguarding his family and close aide, JK. Amidst the chaos, he must confront the notorious smuggler and assassin Rukma, who is scheming with an international handler named Meera. The season concludes on a suspenseful note, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next installment.