Irrfan Khan

Born
Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan 1962Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Other name(s)
IrrfanI K
Occupation
Actor
Spouse(s)
Sutapa Sikdar Khan
Awards won
Filmfare Awards
Best Villain2004 HaasilBest Supporting Actor2008 Life In A... Metro
Irrfan Khan (Hindi: इरफ़ान ख़ान, Urdu: عرفان خان; born 1962) is an Indian actor in film, television and theatre. He received international recognition for his roles in The Namesake (2007), Haasil (2003) and A Mighty Heart (2007).

Biography

Early life
Irrfan Khan was born and brought up in Jaipur, India. His full name is Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan. He was studying for his M.A. degree when he earned a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in 1984.

Career
After graduating in 1987, Irfan moved to Mumbai, where he acted in numerous television serials like 'Chanakya','Sara Jahan Hamara' 'Banegi Apni Baat' and 'Chandrakanta' (Doordarshan), 'Star Bestsellers' (Star Plus), etc. He was the main villain in a series called Darr (which aired on Star Plus), where he played the role of a psycho serial killer, opposite Kay Kay Menon.
He also did acting in some episodes of Star Bestsellers (aired on Star-Plus). In one episode, his role was of a parchoon shopkeeper who has a misconception that his landlord's wife is trying to seduce him. In the other one, he played the role of an office-accountant who, after been insulted by his lady-boss, took revenge by making her mad. He also appeared in a serial called Bhanvar (aired on SET India) for two episodes. In one episode, he performed the role of a thug who somehow landed to a court, where he presented himself as a lawyer.
Theater and television kept him afloat until Mira Nair offered him a cameo in Salaam Bombay (1988) though his role was edited out in the final film.
In the 1990s he appeared in the critically acclaimed film Ek Doctor Ki Maut and Such a Long Journey (1998) and various other films which went unnoticed.
After many unsuccessful films, things changed when London-based director Asif Kapadia gave him the lead in The Warrior, an historical film completed in 11 weeks on the locals in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. In 2001 The Warrior stormed in international film festivals making Irrfan Khan a known face, world over.
In 2003 he acted in Indian born writer-director, Asvin Kumar's short film, Road to Ladakh. After the film received rave reviews[3]at international festivals, the film is now being made into a full length feature, again starring Irrfan Khan.[4] That same year he played the title role in the critically acclaimed Maqbool, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
His first Bollywood main lead role came in 2005 with film Rog. Thereafter he appeared in several films either playing the leading role or a supporting role as a villain. In 2004 he win the Filmfare Best Villain Award for his role in film Haasil.
In 2007 he appeared in the box office hits Metro for which he received a filmfare award for supporting actor and The Namesake which was one of the biggest hits overseas, closely followed by his appearance in the international films A Mighty Heart and The Darjeeling Limited.
Even after becoming a successful actor in bollywood, he has not severed his ties with television. He used to anchor a show 'Mano ya na mano' (airing on Star One).

Personal life
Irrfan Khan is married to writer Sutapa Sikdar, also an NSD graduate, and they have two sons.

Filmography
Film Name
Year
Role
Other Notes
Bhopal Movie
2010
TBA
New York, I Love You
2009
Mansuhkhbai
Billo Barber
2009
Billo {The Barber}
Acid Factory
2008
TBA
Dilli 6
2008
TBA
Dil Kabaddi
2008
Samit
Slumdog Millionaire
2008
Police Inspector
Mumbai Meri Jaan
2008
Thomas
Krazzy 4
2008
Dr. Mukherjee
Sunday
2008
Kumar
Road to Ladakh
2008
Road to Ladakh (Short), Released in 2003; Full-length version in production.[5]
Partition
2007
Avtar
Aaja Nachle
2007
Farooque, Najma's husband
Apna Asmaan
2007
Ravi Kumar
The Darjeeling Limited
2007
The Father
The Namesake
2007
Ashoke Ganguli
Co-starring Tabu. Directed by Mira Nair
Life in a Metro
2007
Monty
won Best Supporting Actor in the filmfare award ceremony
A Mighty Heart
2007
Captain
First international movie screened at Cannes 2007
Sainikudu
2006
Pappu Yadav
Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante
2006
Krish Vaidya
The Killer
2006
Vikram/Roopchand Swaroopchand Solanki
Co-starring Emraan Hashmi
Yun Hota To Kya Hota
2006
Salim Rajabali
Directed by Naseeruddin Shah
7½ Phere
2005
Manoj
With Juhi Chawla
Rog
2005
Inspector Uday Rathore
Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets
2005
Pipi
Charas
2004
Ranbhir Singh Rathore
With Uday Chopra & Jimmy Shergill
Aan: Men at Work
2004
Yusuf Pathan
With Akshay Kumar,Sunil Shetty and Shatrugan Sinha
Maqbool
2003
Maqbool
Haasil
2003
Ranvijay Singh
With Jimmy Shergill(won him the Filmfare award of best actor in negative role)
Kasoor
2001
Public Prosecutor
With Aftab Shibdasani and Lisa Ray
The Warrior
2001
Lafcadia - Warrior
Breakthrough role.
Such a Long Journey
1998
Gustad's dad
Ek Doctor Ki Maut
1991
Drishti
1990
Rahul
Salaam Bombay
1988
Letter writer
Deleted scene

Mukesh Rishi

The actor who worked in big movies like Sarfarosh, Indian, Gardish, Koi Milgaya, Run, Ghatak and Tumko Na Bhool Payenge etc. People recognize him with his worked then that of his name. And this is a big compliment in it self for any artist. He has became on of the busiest actor in South Indian Industry by working with Big Stars like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Mahesh Babu in more than 22 films in Telugu alone and many other South Indian regional films as a Villain. After being busy with South Indian Movies now he is making his come back to Bollywood with film ‘Lahore’. He was in Capital recently to attain a wedding. Here is a synopsis of our chat with him. As the Cricket World Cup is the hot topic we asked about his Cricket first.
Q. Are you planning to go to West Indies, which team is the best according to you?A. Yes, I like Cricket a lot I have been played Cricket & Karate in my college days. Due to my busy schedule I can’t be able to go to West Indies, As far as best team is concern, honestly Indian Team is the best if they perform as a team. Australia was on top and has been best because of their team work only.
Q. Tell us some thing about your forth coming film Lahore?A. It’s a Storybetween India and Pakistan which has not been heard, spoken, seen in the history of Indian Cinema with involvement of Cricket in it. This movie is humble but a strong move to bind the cords of friendship between the two countries. It's a story which touches the heart of an ordinary person.
Q. How is your on location experience with your co stars of Film Lahore?A. In this movie they are introducing new stars as Hero and Heroin and other actors like Nafisa Ali, Farookh Shiekh, Nirmal Pandey, Ayub Khan, Ashish Vidyarthi etc are there. and major part of movie is yet to shoot, we have just completed a part of this movie. It has been a good experience to work with them.
Q. What is your dream role, are you planning to do comic roles, nowadays there is a boom of comedy movies in Bollywood?A. See, it is all up to directors that in which kind of Characters they want to see me. I am getting all negative characters and doing them. Already I have done a role with a comedy touch in the Film Run and I would be very pleased to work in movies like Black & Eklavya. More over there is no variety in our work as a villain.
Q. What do you think about Bollywood’s future after 5 to 10 years?A. After watching the movie Krrish. We can say that Bollywood is going to produce movies as par as Hollywood in terms of technique and budget.
Q. Are you planning to move towards any other wing of film making like Direction, Production etc? Is there any other movie in the pipeline apart from Lahore?A. No, I don’t have such kind of planning I will continue with my acting and an actor is always an actor. And I am working with movies like Kamal Amrohi’s movie ‘Hote Hote Hogaya’ and a Punjabi film ‘Varisha’ in which I am doing lead role. It’s a story of a Poet.
Q. How you are going to manage with South as well as Bollywood Movies?A. I don’t want any hustle in work; I will do 3-4 movies in south and 3-4 movies in Hindi.
Q. Who is your favorite actor in Bollywood?A. I admire Aamir, Salman & Sunny; I have worked with him in movies like Ghatak, Arjun Pandit, Indian etc.
Q. What do you do in your free time, and tell us some thing about your family?A. Replied with a grin, well I have two kids. Exercise is my best friend, when ever I’ll get time I will be busy with it.

Ashish Vidyarthi

Ashish Vidyarthi (Hindi: अशिश विद्यर्थि, Urdu: اَشِش وِدیرتھِ) (born February 12, 1967) is a National Award winning actor in India. He has acted in all the regional film industries. He is the son of renowned kathak dancer Reba Vidyarthi.He has acted in films like ghilli in Tamil and Pokiri in Telugu which are blockbusters. He was born in Tellicherry of Kerala.
Early Life
He grew up in the city of New Delhi, India. He studied in the Bharati Vidya Bhavan in Delhi. As a youngster, he acted in many skits and plays in his school. On one occasion, he participated in an acting competition and lost to Arijit Chakravarty, who he also accepted as a better actor. His career in hindi movies has mainly consisted of roles showing him a villain, His comments on this are, "Doing a villain's role is more fun than the hero's. Besides, it's the villain who has all the fun in the movie. The hero just enjoys it in the end.

Anupam Kher


Born
March 7, 1954 (1954-03-07) (age 54)Shimla, India[1]
Occupation
Actor, producer, director
Awards won
Filmfare Awards
Best Actor1985 SaaranshBest Supporting Actor1989 Vijay
Best Actor (critics)1991 DaddyBest Comedian1990 Ram Lakhan1992 Lamhe1993 Khel1994 Darr1996 Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
National Film Awards
Special Jury Award1990 Daddy2006 Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
Anupam Kher (Hindi: अनुपम खेर; born March 7, 1954) is an actor in Hindi films in India. He is a Kashmiri Pandit. He has acted in many successful Bollywood films, and done several English films also. He is the only person to win a Filmfare for The Best Villain, actor, comedian.

Biography

Career
Kher made his acting debut in the 1982 Hindi movie Aagman. Then in 1984 came Saaransh, where he played a late-age retired person having lost his son and never looked back since then. He hosted TV shows such as Say Na Something To Anupam Uncle and Sawaal Dus Crore Ka. He has mainly done comic roles but has done many villain roles for which he got critical acclaim such as Karma (1986) where he played terrorist Dr. Dang. He was applauded for his performance in the film Daddy (1989). Considered one of his best performances, he received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance. Kher is a frequent winner in the Comedian category.
He ventured into directing with Om Jai Jagadish (2003) and is also a producer. He produced and starred in the film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005). He received the Best Actor Award from the Karachi International Film Festival for his performance in the film.
Kher is known internationally with the films Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004), his appearance on the hit TV show ER and most recently with The Mistress of Spices (2006).
He also starred in the 2005 Punjabi film Yaaran Naal Bahaaran.
He also served as the chairman of the Indian Film Censor Board until recently, when he was replaced by Sharmila Tagore. He is an alumnus of National School of Drama (1978 batch) and later became its director, between 2001 and 2004.
In 2007, Anupam Kher, with his batchmate of NSD, Satish Kaushik,[2] started a new film production company, 'Karol Bagh Productions', and their first film, Tere Sang, is being directed by Satish Kaushik.

Personal life
Anupam Kher was unlucky with his marriage to Madhu but lucky second time when he married Kirron Kher. Kirron Kher was a divorcee. Sikander Kher made his debut in a Sanjay Gupta film. Anupam's brother Raju Kher is also an actor who appeared in his directorial debut Om Jai Jagadish and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara and many TV shows.

Awards and recognition

National Film Awards
1990 - National Film Award - Special Jury Award: Daddy[4]
2006 - National Film Award - Special Jury Award: Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara[5]

Filmfare Awards
1984 - Filmfare Best Actor Award, Saaransh
1988 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, Vijay
1989 - Filmfare Best Comedian Award, Ram Lakhan
1990 - Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, Daddy
1991 - Filmfare Best Comedian Award, Lamhe
1992 - Filmfare Best Comedian Award, Khel
1993 - Filmfare Best Comedian Award, Darr
1995 - Filmfare Best Comedian Award, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

Star Screen Awards
1994: Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actor for 1942: A Love Story
1999: Star Screen Award Best Comedian for Haseena Maan Jayegi

Bollywood Movie Awards
1999 : Bollywood Movie Award - Best Supporting Actor for Salaakhen
2007 : Bollywood Movie Award - Best Comedian for Khosla Ka Ghosla

Other Awards
2000, Actor of the Decade Award (Millennium Honours)
2000, Best Actor in a Comic Role at the Sansui Viewers Choice Awards
2001, Real Life Hero Award at the Zee Gold Bollywood Awards
2004, Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema
2005, Best Actor Award from the Karachi International Film Festival for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
2005, "Divya Himachal Award" for excellence 2005, with the blessings of H.H. Dalai Lama[10]
2006, Best Actor Award at the Riverside International Film Festival at California for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara

2006, GIFA awards: Critics Choice Awards - Best Actor in a Comic Role for Khosla Ka Ghosla

Filmography
Apmaan (1982)
Saaransh (1984)
Utsav (The Festival) (1984)
Arjun (1985)
Karma (1986)
Zakhmi Aurat (1988)
Tezaab (1988)
Tridev (1989)
Ram Lakhan {1989)
Parinda (1989)
Daddy (1989)
Chandni (1989)
Chaalbaaz (1989)
Dil (1990)
Saudagar (1991)
Lamhe (1991)
Hum (1991)
Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991)
Zindagi Ek Jua (1992)
Shola aur Shabnam (1992)
1942: A Love Story (1993)
Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994)
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Papa Kehte Hain (1995)
Chaahat (1996)
Gudgudee (1997)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Mohabbatein (2000)
Kya Kehna (2000)
Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000)
Refugee (2000)
Dhadkan (2000)
Bend It Like Beckham (2002) (English language)
Banana Brothers (2003)
Bride and Prejudice (2004) (English language)
Veer-Zaara (2004)
ER (2004)
Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005)
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005)
The Mistress of Spices (2005)
Main Aisa Hi Hoon (2005)
Paheli (2005)
Sarkar (2005)
Rang De Basanti (2006)
Shaadi Se Pehle (2006)
Chup Chup Ke (2006)
Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006)
Jaan-E-Mann (2006)
Vivah (2006)
Apna Sapna Money Money (2006)
Shakalaka Boom Boom (2007)
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007) ...
De Taali (2008) ...
God Tussi Great Ho (2008) ...
Victoria No. 203 (2007) ... (filming)
Lust, Caution (2007)
Bhopal Movie (2008) ... (pre-production)
The Other End of the Line (2008) ... (announced)
Victory (2008) ... (announced)
Striker (2008) ... (filming)
C Kkompany (2008) ...
A Wednesday (2008) ...
Tahaan (2008) ...

Akshaye Khanna

Born
March 28, 1975 (1975-03-28) (age 33) Mumbai , Maharashtra , India
Occupation
Actor
Years active
1997 - present
Spouse(s)
None
Awards won
Filmfare Awards
Best Male Debut1998 Himalay PutraBest Supporting Actor2002 Dil Chahta HaiBest Villain2009 Race
Akshaye Khanna (born March 28, 1975) in Mumbai, India is an Indian Bollywood actor. After making his debut in Himalaya Putra (1997), Khanna went on to work in several critically and commercially successful movies.

Personal life
Akshaye Khanna is the youngest son of actor Vinod Khanna. His older brother Rahul Khanna is also an actor. His major interest remains Hindi cinema (also called Bollywood). He has completed a training course at Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute.He is very famous for his well known smile in bollywood.

Career
At the age of 22 in 1997, Akshaye made his debut in his father's production Himalaya Putra, which didn't do well at the box office. His next release was J. P. Dutta's Border (1997). The film did very well at the box office, becoming the highest grossing film of that year and earning him a Filmfare Best Debut Award. Most of his releases that followed failed to do well until Subhash Ghai's Taal (1999) released. The film fared moderately well and became the fourth highest grossing film of 1999. This was followed by Farhan Akhtar's immensely successful Dil Chahta Hai (2001) which became the fifth highest grossing film of 2001.[3] His performance was well received by critics and won him the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.
Khanna's next release was Abbas Mustan's Humraaz (2002), in which he played a negative role for the first time. His performance was applauded and earned him a nomination for Filmfare Best Villain Award. He then attempted comedy in Priyadarshan's Hungama (2003) and Hulchul (2004). Both films did well at the box office, with the latter becoming one of the highest grossing films of 2004.
Although his releases, Shaadi Se Pehle (2006) and Aap Ki Khatir (2006) failed to do well at the box office, his other release that year, 36 China Town performed well. Nikhil Advani's multi-starrer, Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love was Khanna's first release in 2007. Although much hyped, the film failed to do well. This was followed by the suspense thriller Naqaab which didn't do that well, although critics praised his acting saying "The movie belongs to Akshaye". Akshaye's recent portrayal of Harilal Gandhi in the critically acclaimed, Gandhi, My Father was praised by critics and was mentioned as his best performance so far.[11][12][13].
Akshaye's first release of the year 2008 was Race in which he again played a negative role. He is currently working in Anil Kapoor's Shortcut - The Con is On, and will be seen in Life PartnerAutograph Remake and Ab Dilli Door Nahin

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards
Winner
1998: Filmfare Best Debut Award, Border

2002: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, Dil Chahta Hai
Nominated
1998: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, Border
2003: Filmfare Best Villain Award, Humraaz

Star Screen Awards
Winner
1998: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Male, Himalaya Putra[15]
2002: Star Screen Awards Special Jury Award, Dil Chahta Hai[15]
Nominated
2002: Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actor, Dil Chahta Hai[15]
2003: Star Screen Award Best Actor, Deewangee[15]
2003: Star Screen Award Best Villain, Humraaz[15]
2007: Star Screen Award Best Actor for Gandhi, My Father[16]

Zee Cine Awards
Nominated
2002: Zee Cine Award Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Male, Dil Chahta Hai[15]
2003: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role, Humraaz

IIFA Awards
Winner
2003: IIFA Best Villain Award, Humraaz[15]

Other Awards
Winner
2007 - Australian Indian Film Festival, Best Performance Award, Gandhi, My Father[17]

Filmography
Year
Film
Role
Notes
1997
Himalaya Putra
Abhay
Border
Dharamvir
Winner, Filmfare Best Debut Award
Mohabbat
Rohit Malhotra/Tony Braganza
1998
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
Inder
Kudrat
Vijay
1999
Love You Hamesha
Shaurat
Dahek: A Burning Passion
Sameer Roshan
Aa Ab Laut Chalen
Rohan Khanna
Laawaris
Captain Dada/Vijay
Taal
Manav Mehta
Dubbed in Tamil as Taalam
2001
Dil Chahta Hai
Siddharth Sinha
Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
2002
Deewana Tere Naam Ka
Humraaz
Karan Malhotra
First villain roleNominated, Filmfare Best Villain Award
Deewangee
Raj Goyal
Bollywood/Hollywood
Himself
Special appearance
2003
Border Hindustan Ka
Mobarak
Special appearance
Hungama
Jeetu
LOC Kargil
Lt. Balwan Singh
2004
Deewaar
Gaurang Kaul
Hulchul
Jai
2006
Shaadi Se Pehle
Aashish Khanna
36 China Town
Karan
Aap Ki Khatir
Aman Mehra
2007
Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love
Shiven Dungarpur
Naqaab
Vicky Malhotra
Gandhi, My Father
Harilal Gandhi
Aaja Nachle
MP Raja Uday Singh
Extended special appearance
2008
Race
Rajeev Singh
Mere Baap Pehle Aap
Gaurav Wishvanbhar Rane
2009
Voice from the Sky

Shakti Kapoor
Born
September 3, 1958 (1958-09-03) (age 50)
Years active
1972 - 2006
Spouse(s)
Shivangi
Awards won
Filmfare Awards
Best Comedian1995: Raja Babu
Shakti Kapoor (born: September 3, 1958) is a Bollywood actor. He is notably known for playing comic and villainous roles. He is known for acting alongside comedian Kader Khan in over 100 films.

Early life
He was born in Mumbai, India.

Career
Since the start of his career in 1972, he holds the world record for acting in the most films, he has acted in 422 films. Often nominated for the Filmfare Award in the Best Comedian category and won once, for his performance in David Dhawan's film, Raja Babu.
During his career, he was part of many successful films such as Aasha, Khiladi, Aankhen, Judwaa and many more.
Nowadays, Shakti is a regular fixture in Priyadarshan films like Hungama, Hulchul, Chup Chup Ke and Maalamaal Weekly.
He is also well known for his photo shoot with famed Saudi Arabian pornstar Akshaya.H.M in the popular Andhra magazine PlayBabu.

Controversy
Kapoor was embroiled in controversy in 2005, when during a sting operation he solicited sexual favors from a television reporter posing as an aspiring Bollywood actress. he also came to Rajasthan and met with another famous north indian water player Mr S. Rastogi[1] The incident caused the actor to be ostracized for a short period of time, but then the public got over it
Personal life
He is married to Shivangi and has two children, a son Siddharth Kapoor. He is the brother-in-law of prominent Marathi actress Padmini Kolhapure.

Awards
1995: Filmfare Best Comedian Award - Raja Babu

Selected Filmography
Jaani Dushman (1979) -
Aasha (1980) - Mr. SUMIT MITTAL
Qurbani (1980) - Vikram Singh
Satte Pe Satta (1982) - Mangal Anand
Akalmand(1984) - Shakti
Dance Dance (1987) - Resham
Pyar Ka Mandir (1988) - Dilip
Mujrim (1989) - Sabajdur
Chaalbaaz (1989) - Batuknath Lallan Prasad Malpani / Balma
Khiladi (1992) - Suresh Malhotra
Aankhen (1993) - Tejeshwar
Andaz Apna Apna (1994) - Crime Master Gogo
Raja Babu (1994) - Nandu
Khoja Babu (1995) - touching story of a Bengali boy living in Hyderabad who contracted Shauriasis.
Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) - Goli
Jallaad (1995) - Shakti Jackson
Bewafa Saman (1995) - Jailer Zalim Singh sumit mittal
Judwaa (1997) - Rangeela
Prithvi (1997) -
Hero Hindustani (1998) - Cadbury
Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United (1999) - Anwar
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000) - Abdul's uncle
Zubeidaa (2001) - Dance Master Hiralal
Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001) - Ladoo Mama
Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (2002) - Chinni
Talaash: The Hunt Begins... (2003) - Upadhyay
Hungama (2003) - Teja Bhai
Dosti: Friends Forever (2005) - Bharucha
Bhagam Bhag (2006) - Guru

Manoj Bajpai
Born
23rd AprilBelwa, Bihar
Spouse(s)
Neha (Sabana)
[show]Awards won
Filmfare Awards
Best Actor (Critics)1999 Satya2000 Shool
National Film Awards
Best Supporting Actor1999 Satya
Manoj Bajpayee born on 23rd April is a Hindi film actor, known for playing offbeat and unconventional roles. He first shot into fame with his breakthrough role on Ram Gopal Varma's 1997 film, Satya.


Biography

Early life
Manoj Bajpayee was born in Belwa, a small village in West Champaran,Bihar. He went to Ramjas College, Delhi University for pursuing graduation.

Career
He started his career with a tele-serial aired on Doordarshan, Swaabhimaan. The same serial also brought Tyaagi-Ashutosh Rana and Rishab-Rohit Roy into limelight.
Manoj appeared in several small roles in films like Droh Kaal (1994), and Bandit Queen (1994), before getting a big break in 1998 film Satya directed by Ram Gopal Varma. His performance as Bhiku Mhatre, won him several awards, as he portrayed the hotheaded and compassionate sides of this small-time gangster, with equal panache. Another important film where he played a dark character was Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's film Aks in 2001, for which again he won many awards.
He work was also appreciated in films like, Zubeidaa (2001), Pinjar (2003) for which won the National Film Award and Veer Zaara in 2004.
Despite being one of the most talented and critically acclaimed actors in India, Manoj Bajpai has not been able to enjoy much commercial success.
He is married to Neha, a Bollywood actress who worked in movies namely Kareeb, Fiza etc.

Awards
1998 Filmfare Award Best Actor - Critics Choice, Satya
1998 Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actor: Satya
1998 BFJA Best Actor: Shool [1]
1999 Filmfare Award Best Actor - Critics Choice: Shool
1999 Zee Cine Award Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Male: Shool
1999 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor: Satya
2001 Star Screen Award Best Villain: Aks
2002 Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role: Road
2004 National Film Award - Special Jury Award : Pinjar

Selected Filmography
Acid Factory (2008)
90 Minutes (2007)
Dus Kahaniyan (2007)
Swami (2007)
1971 (2007)
Happy (2006)
Fareb (2005)
Bewafaa (2005}
Return To Rajapur (2005)
Inteqam: The Perfect Game (2004)
Veer-Zaara (2004)
Jaago (2004)
Hanan (2004)
LOC: Kargil (2003)
Pinjar (2003)
Road (2002)
Aks (2001)
Zubeidaa (2001)
Ghaath (2000)
Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar (2000)
Fiza (2000)
Shool (1999)
Kaun (1999)
Prem Katha (1999)
Satya (1998)
Daud: Fun on the Run (1997)
Tamanna (1997)
Dastak (1996}
Bandit Queen (1994)
Droh Kaal (1994)

Trivia
He was rejected thrice by the National School of Drama
A particular sequence in Aks required him to shoot with wolves.