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In a recent chat, veteran actor Manoj Pahwa reflects on Jigra's box office performance, the unpredictability...
Read More 2024 was a notable year for Manoj Pahwa, with compelling performances in the Netflix thriller IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack and the Alia Bhatt-led drama Jigra. Yet, for the seasoned actor, success isn’t always measured in applause or accolades. In a candid conversation with SCREEN, Pahwa reflected on the unpredictable nature of showbiz and why, sometimes, even a powerful performance isn’t enough to guarantee a film’s success.
“Just because a film has strong performances doesn’t mean it’ll work commercially," he admitted. “That’s a reality we all have to accept." Despite his efforts to stay emotionally detached from box office numbers, Pahwa confessed that he’s not immune to regret—especially when films he turned down end up doing exceptionally well.
Discussing Jigra, which didn’t perform well commercially despite being one of his personal bests, Pahwa said, “It’s not the first time this has happened. There have been several occasions where films with incredible performances never even got released. Woh release hi nahi ho pati (They just don’t get a release).
I try to move on once I’ve wrapped a project. Whether it does well or not—I try not to dwell on it." He shared that some of his most satisfying performances remain unseen.
“I’ve acted in many films I believed in, but unfortunately, they never made it to the audience. It’s quite common in our industry." Despite his calm demeanor about the outcome of his work, Pahwa didn’t shy away from acknowledging moments of hindsight.
“There are projects you say no to for various reasons. And when they go on to do well, you feel a pang of regret. On the flip side, you also take on films that don’t turn out the way you’d hoped.
Afsos hota hai ki yaar, yeh toh itna mazedar nahi bana (You do feel bad that it didn’t turn out well)." Having worked in the industry since 1984, Manoj Pahwa has developed a craftsman’s approach to his art—focused more on the process than the outcome. “When you’ve been doing something for so long, you stop thinking in terms of ‘easy’ or ‘difficult’.
If you ask a carpenter to build a table, he won’t hesitate—it’s his job. That’s how I see acting. We’re trained to adapt to new characters, to switch roles.
Fear doesn’t enter the equation," he said with the quiet confidence of a veteran who has seen the highs and lows, yet continues to show up, script after script..
