Neeraj and I can relate to each other: Manoj Bajpayee

He is reuniting with his frequent collaborator Neeraj Pandey for "Naam Shabana" and actor Manoj Bajpayee says the he can relate to the filmmaker as they both have similar work values.

Bajpayee has worked with Pandey in his directorial venture "Special 26", his production "Saat Uchakkey" and a short film "Ouch". "Our values remain the same and we relate to each other. We know each other," Bajpayee told PTI when asked about his chemistry with Pandey.

Calling the director a "genius", the actor says, "He has the ability to take a real story and put it out in a manner which is very appealing." Pandey's production "Naam Shabana" has been directed by Shivam Nair."It is the story of a simple girl becoming extraordinary. It is a very unique, mainstream film," Bajpayee says of the film starring Taapsee Pannu as the protagonist. The film, which is a spin-off to Pandey's directorial venture "Baby", releases tomorrow. Apart from "Naam Shabana", Bajpayee will be also seen in "Sarkar 3", "Missing" and "Love Sonia."

In his over 20-year



career, Bjapayee has given notable performances in films like "Satya", "Kaun", "Shool", "Zubeidaa", "Pinjar", "Raajneeti", "Gangs of Wasseypur" and the recent "Aligarh".

The actor says he has evolved as an actor over the years. "I have my own method but I don't have only one method. When you are evolving as a person, you also evolve as an actor. In acting, when your understanding abut the real person and life evolves, your method also evolves."

When asked how he prepares himself for a role, the actor says, I look at script. I keep changing from film to film. During the shoot of some films, I don't talk to anybody. For some others I keep laughing.

"For some films I go back to the script again and again, and for some (other scripts) I read for 6-7 times and then I don't go through the script any more." Bajpayee says his 1998 crime drama "Satya" changed filmmaking in Bollywood. "From Anurag Kashyap to Neeraj Pandey all were inspired by 'Satya' in a way. All are fantastic directors."