MUMBAI: Actor Manoj Bajpayee opened up about his long-standing wish to work in a film set in Delhi, saying his years in the national capital helped him understand its language, culture and people. The crime thriller will be available to stream on Netflix starting October 23, 2026.
The actor will be seen in the upcoming crime thriller ‘Gajab Raat’, which also stars Divya Dutta, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, Kiku Sharda and Nushrratt Bharuccha. Directed by Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey’s Friday Film Works, the film follows a police officer whose night takes an unexpected turn when he sees a severely injured girl being abandoned from a moving car in Delhi.
Manoj said he had spent some of the best years of his life in Delhi, where he moved at the age of 18 to pursue his education and theatre. He said the city’s unique way of speaking and its mix of cultures made it an interesting setting for a film. “I had a strong desire to do a film set in Delhi because I have lived there for many years, ever since I was 18. I have spent some of the best years of my life there, pursuing my college education and theatre.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: On his upcoming movie Gajab Raat, Actor Manoj Bajpayee says, “Okay, first of all, I am not playing the role of the uniform. Uniform, you know, the khaki-colored one, I am not playing its role. I am playing the role of those men, I have played, who are these characters—everyone has their own problems, everyone has their own life, everyone has their own journey. So, obviously, that man himself becomes different. So, we are more interested in playing characters and not the profession, right?…”
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“There is something unique about Delhi’s language and tone. It has a certain quirkiness, flavour and character, influenced by Western Uttar Pradesh, Punjabi and Haryanvi cultures, all of which come together in the Hindi spoken there. And you can see these influences reflected in the way the police speak and conduct themselves in Delhi,” he said.
Manoj also spoke about Divya Dutta’s role in the film, saying the makers have kept important details about her character under wraps. He said audiences would get to see the actor in a different role and discover more about her character as the story unfolds.
Describing her character as “smart” and someone who has “a lot going on”, Manoj said her role would bring an unexpected turn to the story. “She’s smart and has a lot going on. Her character is amazing, and we have kept a lot of it hidden in the trailer. We want the audience to discover her character for themselves and talk about it after watching the film.
“Amid everything that unfolds during that night, Divya’s character will come as a surprise. Audiences will get to see her in a completely new avatar, unlike anything they have seen from her before,” Manoj Bajpayee said. ‘Gajab Raat’ will be available to stream on Netflix from October 23.
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Actor Divya Dutta seems to be looking forward to the release of her upcoming suspense thriller ‘Gajab Raat’, which brings together Manoj Bajpayee, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, Kiku Sharda and Nushrratt Bharuccha. The actress believes the film will keep viewers interested as its story unfolds over a single night, with unexpected events and suspense keeping them curious.
Speaking about the film, Dutta said the story has the potential to keep viewers hooked because of its unusual setting and the events that unfold in a short period. She also spoke about the curiosity surrounding Manoj Bajpayee’s character, who plays a police officer in the film.
“I think this film is going to be a binge-watch because it tells the story of one night. As seen in the trailer, Manoj plays a cop, and several characters become part of the story. It makes you curious to know what happens that night and how the story unfolds. That is what makes it exciting, as there is an element of thrill and suspense,” Divya said.
The actress also spoke about the response to the film’s trailer, saying people showed interest in the project soon after it was released. She recalled that the team was shooting together when the trailer came out and said the audience’s response gave them an idea of how people were connecting with the movie.
“The excitement was evident as soon as the trailer was released. People started showing their love for the film, both through its title and its trailer. We were shooting together when the trailer launched, and the response was immediate. People said they wanted to watch the film. That gives you an idea of what the audience is connecting with,” she added.
Dutta went on to speak about working with Manoj Bajpayee again. ‘Gajab Raat’ marks their second project together after ‘Last Man in Tower’. Divya said the actor brings something different to each role, making his performances interesting to watch.
“There is definitely something fascinating about this film, and Manoj, as always, is wonderful in it. This is my second project with him after Last Man in Tower. The characters and stories we have worked on before are different, but every time I see him on screen, he brings a completely different look to the role. He transforms himself each time, which makes his performances so interesting to watch,” she said.
Actress Shradha Das is set to appear in the upcoming suspense thriller ‘Gajab Raat’, which will see her share screen space with Manoj Bajpayee. The actress, who plays a woman working with the Women’s Commission, has spoken about her role and her experience of working with the senior actor.
Shradha said her character, Neha Prabhu, is given the responsibility of looking after an injured girl and making sure she receives proper medical care. Neha also has to keep an eye on Nirvit, played by Manoj Bajpayee, as the case takes an unexpected turn.
Talking about her character and how she prepared for the role, Shradha said, “My character, Neha Prabhu, is associated with the Women’s Commission. She is assigned to monitor the safety of an injured girl and ensure that she receives proper medical treatment. As Manoj sir’s character, Nirvit, is also involved in the situation, Neha has to keep an eye on him to make sure everything is handled properly.”
“What makes Neha different from me is her personality. She is very poised and elegant, and even the way she walks and talks is quite different from my own. I worked really hard to get those details right. Neha is also very ambitious, and the choices she makes to fulfil those ambitions, particularly her moral decisions, influence the twists and turns of the film and affect the other characters as well. That’s what makes her role interesting to play,” she added.
Shradha also spoke about working with Manoj Bajpayee, saying she was initially ‘nervous’ about sharing most of her scenes with the senior actor. She said she discussed her questions about the character with director Ritesh Shah and Neeraj Pandey before filming. “When you find out that you are going to work with Manoj sir, especially when most of your scenes are with him, you naturally feel a little nervous.
“Whenever I take on a character, I have a lot of questions about how to approach the role. I would discuss them with our director, Ritesh sir, and Neeraj sir. My preparation is always thorough because I don’t want to feel confused or uncertain about my character on set.”
However, the actress said Bajpayee was quite different from the serious image people often associate with him. She recalled a conversation during their first scene together, when he spoke to her about his daily routine and a breathing exercise he practises.
“Manoj sir has a very serious image, but when I met him, I discovered that he is actually quite playful and adorable in real life. During our first scene together, he was telling me about a breathing exercise he practises, using one nostril at a time, and how it helps keep his skin healthy. He even told me that he wakes up at 5 am to do it! I found that really cute. His little habits and the way he talks make you feel comfortable around him.”
“When you work with a senior actor, their presence can sometimes intimidate you or make you feel that you don’t know as much as they do. Of course, none of us can simply master the level of artistry Manoj sir has achieved. But what I really appreciate about him is that he never makes you feel inferior or reminds you that he knows more than you. He doesn’t make you feel that you are doing something wrong or right; instead, he gives you the confidence to perform,” she added.
The trailer of ‘Gajab Raat’ was released recently. Directed by Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey’s Friday Film Works, the film follows a police officer whose night takes an unexpected turn after he spots a severely injured girl being abandoned from a moving car in Delhi.
The incident leads him towards an international conspiracy, forcing him to face difficult choices as the story unfolds. The suspense thriller centres on a series of events that take place over one night, with a single decision setting off a chain of consequences. (ANI)
