When real life dacoit Maan Singh bonded with Manoj Bajpayee, his reel life counterpart in Bandit Queen
By Rajesh Ahuja
They say that 'Movies are a case of reel life imitating real life'.
A perfect instance of confluence between real life and reel life was witnessed during the shooting of National Award winning film Bandit Queen, based on life of Bandit turned politician Phoolan Devi when the set of the film saw a bonding between Dacoit Maan Singh and his reel life version Manoj Bajpayee.
The interesting incident was narrated by Shekhar Kapur, internationally acclaimed filmmaker and director of the 1994 film.
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| When Manoj Bajpayee bonded with real life dacoit Maan Singh on sets of Bandit Queen |
Narrating the Incident, Shekhar Kapur said, 'while we were shooting Bandit Queen at the Dholpur District of Rajasthan, we were advised to take special protection as there were still some dacoit gangs and groups active in the area.
Manoj (Bajpayee) was playing Maan Singh, who was still at large. Still active, and we heard that he was operating in the are we were filming in. One night the real Maan Singh slipped into our sets at night and wanted to meet the man playing him.''
Recalling the incident, Shekhar Kapur said, ''apparently the real Maan Singh and Manoj got drunk together..and what passed between them only Manoj can tell you.
But what an adventure, what an experience for an actor , playing the real life dacoit being hunted by the police...being confronted by the dacoit himself. ''
Reminiscing the incident with excitement, the filmmaker said, ''the adventures of filmmaking...when making films was a true life adventure...I miss those days...I miss the excitement of uncertainty.''
Expressing pride over the fact that Manoj Bajpayee, who debuted with Bandit Queen, is today considered one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema, Shekhar Kapur said, ''and by the way, Bandit Queen was Manoj Bajpayee's first film...and how he has become one of the best actors we have on screen today. '
Released in 1994, Bandit Queen was based on life of dacoit turned politician Phoolan Devi. Written, produced and directed by Shekhar Kapur, it was based on book 'India's Bandit Queen: true story of Phoolan Devi ' by author Mala Sen.
Bandit Queen won the National Film award for Best film in Hindi and the Filmfare critics award for best film and Filmfare award for Best Direction at the 1994 awards. It was screened at the Director's Fortnight section of the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. It was also screened at the Edinburgh film festival.
Bandit Queen was selected as India's entry in 1994 in Best Foreign film category at the Oscar's. However it failed to secure a nomination at the Oscar's.
Made at a budget of Rs 3.25 cr, Bandit Queen earned Rs 22.2 cr at the box office.
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