Manoj Bajpayee's '1971' turns 19 years old: 'I could never figure out why it didn’t click on release'

The landscape of Indian cinema has been blessed with several gems that have left a lasting impact. Manoj Bajpayee’s ‘1971’ is certainly one of them. Celebrating its 19th anniversary, Manoj Bajpayee reflected on its journey, the struggles and the whole roller coaster ride. The movie, which today is counted among the classics, wasn’t much of a hit right after its release. Speaking about the same in an exclusive conversation, Manoj shared, “I could never figure out why it didn’t click on release. Later, of course, it was huge on YouTube.” “Late Ramanand Sagar ji had given me the signing amount that I still remember,” he said while recalling the old days. Further speaking about the movie’s shoot, he elaborated, “We made the film in Shimla, and it was a tedious one, where the weather also did not support our endeavour. It was an extreme winter when we reached there, and in winter, the rains and the snow, all of it together. Many times, the conditions were very, very life-threatening.”“The shoots were getting delayed, the shoots were getting postponed, and the entire unit was stationed in Manali. Many times, so many accidents have occurred. Many times, we kind of escaped death during our shoot. All of it is there somewhere on the website. And when the film was released, somehow, you know, we didn't get the right release, we couldn't get the right marketing. Many of the places, even the hoardings, were not there outside the theatres,” he continued.“It was quite disheartening from the word go, and people couldn't even realise that the film had come and was gone. We never expected this labour of love to fail. My director, Amrit Sagar, went through a tough time. I was with him in all of that mental agony that he was going through. He had put everything into this, and somewhere I was very, very sure that we had a great film in our hands,” he said before adding, “At a party somewhere in Delhi, there was one official who asked me if there was any film of mine that I should really send for National Award consideration or the previews. That kind of really excited me. I told my director, Amrit, to send the film for the National Award consideration. He was quite reluctant.”“He had given up all hope. He was doubting his own ability and the belief in the film. I was 200% sure that it was going to get something out there. And to our luck, the film got two or three National Awards,” explained Manoj Bajpayee.“That restored the energy and belief in Amit Sagar. We were all very, very happy. I still believe he couldn't believe that the film got National Awards. It was me who was asking him to go on TV and to switch on the TV and see the scroll and see the announcement. It was quite an amazing, amazing news for all of us, the entire team, who, kind of with a heavy heart somewhere, we've given up on all our hope regarding this film,” he shared.After the initial release, the movie became a hit and the talk of the town during lockdown. “Many years after its release in 2007, when the lockdown was announced, I was stuck with my family in Uttarakhand, and Amit Sagar called me, and we were talking, and he said that our Sagar Productions has a YouTube platform. So, should we release the film at a time when people are all in lockdown? And I said, " Please, let's go ahead. I mean, we have nothing to lose. Please send me a creative. I'll post it, and I'll ask some people to support it. And this is what we've done.” “‘1971’ became the first digital blockbuster during the COVID pandemic. People are still watching it. They watch it, and they put it out on social media. And now, all the audience and the people who understand cinema, all of them have been calling it a classic film in the army. And it is my personal favourite. It is a personal favourite of my wife, Shabana,” concluded the actor.