Manoj Bajpayee’s Oscar Pick: Inde Navarrette in Obsession
Manoj Bajpayee makes a bold Oscar call for Obsession star Inde Navarrette and reveals the films that shaped his own taste.
Manoj Bajpayee is not the kind of actor who throws around the word “Oscar” lightly. So when he does, it lands. In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, the actor named the recent film he cannot shake: Curry Barker’s Obsession.
He went in with no expectations. In fact, Bajpayee said the outing was originally for his daughter, not for him — and that may be exactly why the film hit as hard as it did. He was full of praise for the crafting, the lead performances and the camera work, telling Filmfare he was “completely blown away.”
The performance he wants the Academy to notice
His strongest words were reserved for lead actor Inde Navarrette. Bajpayee said he would be very surprised if she does not win an Oscar. That is a bold prediction for a title far from the usual awards-season blockbuster track, and it hands Obsession an immediate credibility boost with Indian viewers who may not have heard of it yet.
Oscar chatter often starts with this exact kind of organic moment: an admired actor speaking about a performance in a small film, weeks or months before the conversation becomes formal. Bajpayee’s comments are already the kind of pull quote that travels well beyond the original interview.
For a star known for choosing layered, offbeat roles, the endorsement works like a trusted recommendation. It moves a small film from the margins to the watchlist, simply because someone with that track record says it deserves attention.
His own viewing habits, in three picks
The same interview also offered a rare window into how Bajpayee watches films when he is not working. Asked for his comfort film, he named Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, the beloved satire that has stayed part of Indian film conversation for decades.
He also grew warm talking about Govinda’s slapstick comedies. Bajpayee called Govinda a master of the form, but admitted he would not be comfortable trying it himself. It is a respectful nod from an actor whose natural register is far more sombre.
And when asked which film would help someone understand him better as a person, he pointed to Governor. His reasoning was simple: he prefers keeping his personal life low-key, doing his job and stepping away, much like the character he played.
- Comfort film: Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
- Favourite performance style: Govinda’s slapstick, with full respect
- The film he relates to: Governor, for its quiet, work-first character
Meanwhile, on his own release slate
Even as he talks up Obsession, Bajpayee’s own Last Man in Tower is set for a ZEE5 premiere, months after its theatrical release. It is another chance for fans to see the actor in his own element — and, perhaps, to take his advice and add Obsession to their queue as well.
Source: Filmfare
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