Manoj Bajpayee took a pay cut and became a producer for Bhaiyya Ji: Vinod Bhanushali | Exclusive

Manoj Bajpayee with director Apoorv Singh Karki and producer Vinod Bhanushali

Bhaiyya Ji, which is out in theatres today, is Manoj Bajpayee's 100^th film. He is being seen in a rare action avatar in this Bihar-based story. One of the film's producers, Vinod Bhanushali, spoke to Mid-day.com about the solo release and how Bajpayee took a fee cut for this film.

Biggest release for Manoj Bajpayee

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Vinod elaborated on how they secured a wide release for Bhaiyya Ji. "We got 1300 screens, which gives us 5150 shows, for a solo film of Manoj Bajpayee. So Manoj Bajpayee's 100^th film is his biggest release in today's time."

The star appeal

He also spoke about how big stars don't always mean massive footfalls in theatres. "Big stars can get you the audience on the first day. Post that, if the content is not good, people will reject it. Many big-budget films have not worked because of this. Whereas films like Lapataa Ladies, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai have worked."

Bhaiyya Ji is a solo release

"We didn't want to compete with a bigger film, because we wouldn't get the prime-time shows. We decided on this date, because we are the only Hindi film to release on May 24. When you are alone, you become the big film. Plus getting 5150 shows means it will be accessible to a wider audience. Also, May 25, post-elections, will be a holiday at a lot of places, and then 26^th is a Sunday. So the distribution team had this thought, and we agreed, that this may work in our favour," Vinod elaborated.

How Manoj Bajpayee came on board as a producer

He has worked with Bajpayee in Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. "While we were making Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, Manoj Bajpayee told us that he had this film in his mind, Bhaiya Ji. I told him, sir, at your price, after Bandaa, I won't be able to make it, because it will need a bigger budget. So we suggested he take a fee cut and become a producer. That's how his wife Shabana Raza came on board as one of the producers of the film."

Manoj Bajpayee, the ‘Desi Superstar'

The trailer introduces Manoj Bajpayee as ‘Desi Superstar'. Vinod explained, "That just came up. The film's director, Apoorv Singh Karki, is a big fan of south films dubbed in Hindi. When I said to him, you have made a film like Bandaa, will you be able to pull off a film like Bhaiyya Ji? He said, sir, I love these kind of films. This is like a south actioner, but set in Bihar."