Manoj Bajpayee in Satyagraha, which releases on August 30

What about your character Balram Singh interested you enough or is it a given that if it’s a Prakash Jha film, you will say yes?

(Laughs) Yes, that it is a Prakash Jha film is partly the reason. But the main hook for me was that my character, Balram Singh, is a very unique villain. He’s a politician, very shrewd and cunning, who you hate and who you laugh at at the same time. He’s someone who can do the worst things one moment and yet make you roll over with laughter the next. I found the scope of the role very wide and multi-dimensional. The buzz is amazing. People are repeating my dialogues from the promos like the one that goes: ‘Kya hum baaraati ke dhol hain?’ (Laughs). I know a lot of people who are very eager to watch the film.

Have you ever asked Prakash Jha why he picks you only for negative roles?

What can I do?! He only looks at me as a negative guy! (Laughs out loud) But to be fair, I don’t think the character (Veerendra Pratap) in Raajneeti was a villain… he was a son and brother fighting for his share… fighting for his rights. Even in Chakravyuh, I was a Naxal leader (Rajan), but not a villain. Yes, Mithilesh Singh (a corrupt educator) in Aarakshan was an out-and-out villain and so is this man in Satyagraha. But as I said, Balram Singh leaves you more amused than angry. He’s just so comical.

How different is it being on a Prakash Jha set?

He’s a very organised fellow. His system is totally on auto-mode. Everything on his set works like clockwork and is right on time, which is quite a rarity in this industry.

You’ve done four films with him so far. Have you reached a stage where you understand each other perfectly while filming a shot?

With almost every film of his, I generally know where he comes from because all his films invariably tend to be socially relevant. Somewhere we have seen the characters he writes either on television or read about them in the newspapers. On a Prakash Jha set, you don’t have to go the extra mile to do much research because the director himself comes so well prepared and brings in characters that you are well acquainted with.

There’s been a lot of conjecture about Satyagraha being based on the Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement…

It’s completely fictionalised. The film just uses the medium of hunger strike, similar to what happened in Egypt and in the case of (Baba) Ramdev and Anna Hazare in our country, as an instrument of protest. That’s the only element in the film that has some roots in reality. But it’s not really based on or inspired by any movement or anshan (hunger strike). It’s the personal fight of Mr Amitabh Bachchan’s character (Dwarka Anand) and how the other characters in the film get involved in it. Standing in opposition to them is my character, Balram Singh.

Satyagraha is your third film with Amitabh Bachchan, after Aks and Aarakshan. Is the experience different each time you share screen space with him?

It’s always enjoyable working with him. He gives all his co-actors ample space to perform. As an actor, he has amazing discipline… amazing integrity. There is an actor in him that wants to do better and better… raise the bar… with every role. Just being around him is quite encouraging and inspiring for people like me. Having worked with him in three films now, I am well acquainted with his behaviour on set. His ethics as an actor are unparalleled.

You complete 20 years in the industry this year. How do you look back at your journey from Bandit Queen to Satyagraha?

It’s been quite fantastic… a roller-coaster ride. Of course there are occasions when you are depressed… when you tend to feel down, but somehow this industry and this profession always gives you a chance to bounce back. If you know your job, no one can keep you down for long and that’s what has happened with me consistently over the last 20 years.

Special 26 to Shootout at Wadala to Satyagraha… you’ve been on a roll this year. Would you bill this as the best phase of your career?

It actually started with Raajneeti and then I went on to Aarakshan, Gangs of Wasseypur, Special 26 and Shootout at Wadala. But honestly, I feel my good times have just begun… I would like to believe that my best phase is yet to come. Why say this is my best phase and put a lid on it? (Smiles) As the saying goes, I have miles to go before I sleep.