Manoj Bajpayee has disclosed that he had dancing training, but gave up on his dream of becoming a dancer after seeing Hrithik Roshan. In contrast to Hrithik, who made his feature debut in 2000 with Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, Manoj released his breakthrough movie Satya in 1998. When asked about his theatre days, Manoj recalled that singing and dancing were requirements for artists. He reflected on his youth and recalled that he used to dance.
Manoj in the Chat show named, Curly Tales, he shared, “Since I'm from theatre, there used to be a prerequisite that an artist should know how to sing. Even if you do not become a frontline singer, you must be a chorus singer at least. Haan, main naachta bhi tha (Yes, I used to dance as well).”
The actor further shared, "Main Chhau dance mein trained hoon lekin jab Hrithik aya na. Maine Hrithik ko dekha toh maine kaha aaj ke baad dancing ka khwaab band kyuki ab ye nahi seekh sakta main (I had Chhau dance training, but when Hrithik entered the scene and I saw his performance, I thought, this is the end of my dream of dancing as I can't learn this.)”
Manoj claimed that before Hrithik's debut, he had already performed all the dance moves he needed to in Satya's well-known song Sapne Me Milti Hai.
Rahul V. Chittella's upcoming film, Gulmohar, which Manoj is getting ready to release. A multigenerational family, the Batras, are the subject of the movie. As they prepare to leave their 34-year-old family home, their insecurities send them on a disorienting journey.
Gulmohar, which will be released on March 3rd, also stars Suraj Sharma, Amol Palekar, Kaveri Seth, and Simran. Gulmohar will be made available digitally on Disney+ Hotstar. Star Studios, Chalkboard Entertainment, and Autonomous Works worked together to produce it. Manoj recently spoke with PTI about Gulmohar, "There's something for everyone in the movie. It will make you choke and it will make you laugh."