Manoj Bajpayee on being awarded Padma Shri: Happy that nobody has raised objections

The ministry of home affairs on January 25 announced the list of Padma Shri awardees. Among the many actors and filmmakers who are being recognised from the world of entertainment for their contribution to arts and cinema to the country, actor Manoj Bajpayee also made it to the esteemed list.

In his first interview after the announcement, Bajpayee shared that he is most happy that no one on social media has abused him for being listed as Padma Shri awardee this year. He said, "My friends, relatives and followers are very happy with it. I have observed that till now, no one has abused me on social media and no one has created controversy when my name announced. As one of the awardees of Padma Shri Award so, I am really happy and it's a good thing that when you get an honour nobody has raised objections against it."

The actor has previously been conferred two National Awards and several other accolades. Manoj has worked in several critically acclaimed films including ‘Aligarh’, ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, ‘Satya’, ‘Shool’, ‘Zubeidaa’ and many others.

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Bajpayee revealed that Anupam Kher was the first one who shared the good news with him. He recalled: "I didn't know how to react on this news because I wasn't expecting that something like this is going to happen. Suddenly before sleeping in the night, when Anupam Kher sir told me about it that time, I was freezed. He (Kher) must be wondering why I didn't respond in joyful manner because honestly, I didn't understand how to react to it."

Bajpayee will next be seen in ‘Son Chiriya’. On the film, he said, "I think we have made really good film in form of Son Chiriya. I have been a huge admirer of Abhishek Chaubey's (director) work and I feel fortunate to work with him. I have played small role in the film but it's really good role which he has offered to me. I hope appreciate my role in the film."

Set in Chambal, ‘Son Chiriya’ is a crime thriller directed by Abhishek Chaubey. It features Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey and Ashutosh Rana. It is slated to release on March 1, 2019.