Actor Manoj Bajpayee says his forthcoming film Governor shines a light on the unsung individuals whose decisions and efforts helped India navigate one of the most challenging economic crises in its history more than three decades ago.
Inspired by real events, the film explores the severe financial turmoil that gripped the country during the 1991 economic crisis. Bajpayee portrays an RBI governor, a character based on former Reserve Bank of India governor S. Venkitaramanan. Directed by Chinmay Mandlekar, known for Inspector Zende, the film also stars Adah Sharma and Madhoo in key roles.
Reflecting on the economic crisis of the early 1990s, Bajpayee recalled that he was a theatre actor in Delhi at the time and closely followed national developments through newspapers.ย โI was always interested in current affairs and followed the news regularly. I was aware of the crisis as it unfolded, but I had no idea about the discussions taking place behind closed doors or the people who played a crucial role in steering India out of that difficult period,โ Bajpayee said.
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The Family Man actor said he was struggling financially during those years and often worried about basic necessities, making the economic situation particularly relevant to him.ย โA person living in poverty continues to survive somehow, but when the value of money falls, everyone feels the impact. The situation at that time was extremely difficult. However, the decisions that were taken eventually brought significant relief to the country. It also served as a wake-up call, prompting India to rethink its economic policies and approach to the market,โ he said.
Bajpayee emphasised that many people remain unaware of the contributions made by key figures such as former RBI governor S. Venkitaramanan, economist and future Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and then Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, all of whom played important roles during a period marked by financial instability and political uncertainty.
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โMost people do not know the extent of their contribution during that crucial time. This is where filmmakers and writers step in. They revisit such historical moments, bring them to the screen in a compelling and dramatic way, and help audiences understand the significance of those events and the people behind them,โ he said.
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Known for his meticulous approach to character preparation, Bajpayee said his portrayal of the RBI governor required a different kind of research, relying heavily on observation, imagination and conversations with bureaucrats.
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The actor, who has previously portrayed real-life figures in films such as Inspector Zende, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai and Aligarh, said he consulted several of his former Delhi University roommates. Many of them had prepared for the UPSC examinations and later rose to senior positions within the civil services.
Through these interactions, Bajpayee sought to understand the mindset and working style of government officials, particularly those involved in finance and economic administration. He described such officers as individuals who are generally reserved, analytical and deeply focused on data.
โThe life of an RBI governor is quite different from that of other IAS or IPS officers. It is not necessarily dramatic or action-packed. Their work revolves around files, data, reports and numbers. We are talking about an era before computers became commonplace, so almost everything was managed through paperwork and physical records,โ he explained.
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Asked whether the film adopts a particular political viewpoint, Bajpayee said the makers have tried to remain faithful to documented events and historical records.