32 years of ‘Bandit Queen’ - Manoj Bajpayee almost lost his role to Naseeruddin Shah: ‘I was out of it because’ - Exclusive

There are a few movies that left an indelible impression on the Indian cinematic canvas. Released in 1994, ‘Bandit Queen’ is certainly one of them. Directed by Shekhar Kapoor, starring Manoj Bajpayee, Seema Biswas, and other talented artists, the movie has completed 32 years today. Celebrating the monumental success of the movie, Manoj Bajpayee walked down memory lane and shared how he got the movie, his unforgettable first meeting with Shekhar Kapoor, how the role almost slipped away from his hands, and then he got another chance

Manoj Bajpayee recalls his first meeting with Shekhar Kapoor

“‘Bandit Queen’ is the first film where I was chosen to do cinema by none other than the great Shekhar Kapoor. I feel very lucky also because Shekhar Kapoor was somebody who was one of the most successful filmmakers at that time. I felt really privileged when he met me,” he told us in an exclusive conversation.

Further, elaborating on the meeting and how his photograph was chosen by Shekhar Kapoor from the lot, he said, “I think I was the first one that he met when casting was about to start, and Tigmanshu Dhulia was the casting director. He took me to Shekhar Kapoor because Shekhar had seen all the photographs that Tigmanshu was carrying, and somehow, I don't know what happened, maybe it's destiny, he chose my photo.”

He continued, “And he wanted to meet me. So I was the first one he met. The meeting was quite positive.”

Manoj Bajpayee almost lost his role in Bandit Queen to Naseeruddin Shah

Manoj Bajpayee holds every memory of the movie close to his heart. Even after 32 years, he clearly remembered how he almost lost this iconic movie to Naseeruddin Shah, but fate had some other plans.

“I was one of the contenders for the casting of Vikram Malla. But eventually, Nirmal Pandey was chosen, and then I was out of it because Maan Singh was being done by Naseeruddin Shah. I went back to my place,” he shared before adding, “And then one day I received a call from Tigmanshu, he asked me to take the train from Kolkata and come straight to the office.”

“I went there, and I was chosen, and it came to me that Mr. Naseeruddin Shah is not doing the film. So I was chosen for that role. So Shekhar Kapoor remembered my face. I was so surprised when I was signed. So that's how I have done my first film,” he concluded.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”