Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who started off as an outsider in film industry with a one-minute role in ‘Drohkaal’ in 1994, says he was deeply disturbed by another outsider Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide adding that the industry needed to look inwards and find answers.

 “Everybody knows that I have been rattled, shocked and disturbed about it so much that I ignore or avoid talking about it,” Manoj Bajpayee told Opoyi in an interview while promoting his new released film “Bhonsle” that premiered on OTT platform SonyLIV on June 26.

“What was the cause, nobody knows?  It seems there were too many things happening in his mind, he was in pain and that’s why you take such a drastic step. It’s not a small thing that he has done. Everybody has to look inward, industry, media and find the answer. Don’t run away from questions,” the actor, who is the winner of two national film awards and a Padma Shri, said.

Bajpayee, who made a mark with movies such as “Satya”, “Zubeidaa” and “Gangs of Wasseypur”, adds that the industry must answer questions by correcting themselves, by doing good to the talent from outside.

On Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead in his Mumbai flat on June 14, Bajpayee says, “He was a good and talented boy and this was not an age to go . Pray for his family that they really go through this troubled time with a lot of strength.

 Rajput’s death triggered a social media debate on alleged nepotism in the industry, with many questioning celebrities like Alia Bhatt and Salman Khan on their silence over the issue. Netizens even started hashtags and filmmaker Karan Johar saw a substantial dip in his instagram followers. Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of yesteryear actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, even quit Twitter to “stay away from negativity”

However, celebrities like Kangana Ranaut, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon spoke out against the nepotism culture in Bollywood and how it was spreading like a virus in the industry.

When asked about his take on nepotism  debate, Manoj Bajpayee said that one cannot choose the family one is born in but one should fight back with craft. “Real talent never fades, it is recognised eventually,” he added.

“You know what I tell them (those who talk of nepotism)? ‘Taking a birth in any family is not in your hand’. When I came to Mumbai I was also looking for somebody who could have trust in me, who could really promote me and support me. I was not getting it but what saved me was my pure passion for the craft. Pure passion for what I wanted to do. That saves you in your low time.  If you complain about nepotism, always fight with your ability, your skill and your craft and that will save you. Always look for the bigger picture,” he said.

“You are denied opportunity today, you will be denied opportunity day after but you will never be denied that opportunity after one year. Take it in writing. If you are talented, they will have to give you an opportunity, they can’t help it,” added the actor.