Star Actor Criticizes ‘Best Actor’ and ‘National Crush’ Labels

Bollywood’s respected actor Manoj Bajpayee has sparked debate with his recent remarks on how the film industry and PR teams quickly attach titles like Best Actor or National Crush to performers. His comments, shared in a YouTube interview, are now widely discussed on social media.

According to Manoj, these labels often appear right after someone delivers one or two good performances, and this trend undermines the hard work of actors who have dedicated their lives to the craft. He expressed that such practices feel humiliating for senior artists who have undergone training and spent years building their careers.

Speaking about his and fellow actor Piyush Mishra’s journey, Manoj explained, “It is humiliating for him, who has trained as an actor and worked for years. It is also humiliating for me, who has given everything to this profession. Suddenly you see ‘Best Actor’ hashtags after just one performance, and after a few months, another actor is given the same title, sometimes even called the ‘National Crush.’ The culture has changed completely.”

His strong words were seen by many as a direct criticism of Bollywood’s current PR-driven culture. Social media users speculated that he was indirectly targeting some rising stars who quickly gain fame and online popularity. However, Manoj did not mention any names specifically.

Despite the controversy, many fans supported his statement, agreeing that respect in acting should come from consistent performance and dedication rather than temporary trends or promotional strategies. Some also highlighted that the industry often focuses more on image-building than on talent.

On the professional front, Manoj Bajpayee is currently seen in Jugnuma – The Fable. Earlier, he appeared in Inspector Zende, which is streaming on Netflix. Known for his powerful performances in films like Gangs of Wasseypur and The Family Man series, Manoj continues to be one of the most admired actors in Indian cinema.