In a sharp rebuttal to the Manoj Bajpayee Rang De Basanti rumour, the acclaimed actor dismissed speculation that he was the first choice for Aamir Khan’s role in the 2006 film. Manoj took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, responding with a combination of sarcasm and disbelief, as online chatter intensified following remarks in a recent interview.
How the casting controversy erupted
The renewed curiosity began after screenwriter Kamlesh Pandey contributed to a YouTube conversation with Ravya Sarda, implying Manoj Bajpayee had originally been signed for the pivotal role. Kamlesh stated,
“We had been roaming around with the script of the film for 6 years, and no one was ready to make that film. We had signed Manoj for the role that Aamir played finally,”
—Kamlesh Pandey, Screenwriter. He expanded on the journey, saying,
“We thought we would make a small film; we didn’t have a big budget. The moment Aamir heard the script, he told us that he wanted to do the film, and he even got AR Rahman to come on the project. UTV, who had rejected the film twice in the past, immediately said yes to it.”
—Kamlesh Pandey, Screenwriter.
Manoj Bajpayee’s strong denial on social media
Confronted with these swirling stories, Manoj reposted one such report with skeptical amusement, adding, Matlab kuch bhi 😂 to signal his disbelief. Shortly afterwards, he tweeted,
“And who is the producer who said this? Naam to bata!! SM pe itne khali lota le ke baithe hai.”
—Manoj Bajpayee, Actor. His online remarks made clear his view that such gossip lacks substance and is merely fuel for idle talk on social platforms.
Reflecting on the film’s journey and lasting impact
Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rang De Basanti arrived in 2006, quickly attaining cult status for its story about a group of Delhi youth who become radicalized against corruption. The performances by Aamir Khan and the influential score by AR Rahman shaped its enduring popularity, both with audiences and critics.
Although Kamlesh Pandey’s version has generated fresh speculations around the film’s casting decisions, Manoj Bajpayee’s direct and witty response has effectively put the discussion to rest. The high-profile denial reveals an ongoing tension about celebrity rumours in India, but for now, Manoj’s firm stance appears to have quieted claims linking him to the role that ultimately defined a turning point in contemporary Indian cinema.
