Yash Chopra paid lead actor's fee for cameo in Veer-Zaara, reveals Manoj Bajpayee

Actor Manoj Bajpayee has revealed that late filmmaker Yash Chopra paid him what he "charged as a lead actor" for a cameo appearance in Veer-Zaara. Speaking about the career choices he made after Satya, the actor shared that he turned down several lucrative offers because many of the roles were villain parts and he did not want to be typecast. He highlighted that while the films that genuinely interested him often came with modest pay cheques, he has never regretted those decisions.

During an appearance on actor-turned-host Shekhar Suman’s talk show Shekhar Tonite, Bajpayee also recalled his experience of working with filmmaker Yash Chopra in Veer-Zaara. He admitted that Chopra paid him the same amount he used to charge for a lead role, even though his part in the film was a cameo.

Bajpayee said he would wait for films with good stories and did not regret doing the cameo in Veer-Zaara. Recalling how the role came to him, the actor said, "Yash ji called me up, and he asked, 'meri film main cameo hai tu karega kya? Pinjar dekhte hue mujhe laga ki yeh role tu hi kar paayega (There’s a cameo role in my film. Would you do it? After



watching Pinjar, I felt that you are the only one who could pull off this role).' Believe me, I didn't even want to hear the script from him because I wanted to be directed by him. I said, Yash ji, just tell me when I have to come. Just tell me the story and character in one line, and I'll come prepared. But Aditya Chopra narrated to me the whole scene."

He also recalled asking Yash Chopra for a bigger role in future after hearing the script. "I said Yash ji agli baar jab yaad rakhiyega toh bada role dijiyega. Toh unhone saaf saaf bola, 'bete main tere jaise actors ke liye kahan film banata hoon aur jo role honge woh tu karega nahi toh yeh waala kar de badhia se' (I told Yash ji, 'The next time you think of me, please give me a bigger role.' He replied very clearly, 'Son, I don't really make films for actors like you. And even if there are roles for you in my films, you probably won't do them. So just do this one properly and do it well)'. I liked that he never promised me anything. I told him I won't take any fees, but he said I will give it to you, and Yash Chopra sent me the same amount that I used to take for doing a lead role in a film," Bajpayee added.