7 years of Aiyaary: Manoj Bajpayee reveals reason behind box office failure
As filmmaker Neeraj Pandey’s Aiyaary marked its seventh anniversary, veteran actor Manoj Bajpayee reflected on the film’s journey and the challenges it faced at the box office.
In an exclusive conversation, Bajpayee revealed that the film couldn’t achieve commercial success due to multiple changes in its release date. “The movie could not be a big hit because of the constant change of the dates of the release. However, Aiyaary will always stay very, very close to my heart,” he shared.
Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Sidharth Malhotra, and Rakul Preet Singh in pivotal roles, the film was a gripping drama set against the backdrop of the Indian Army. Bajpayee praised Neeraj Pandey’s storytelling, calling the film "very special" for its unique script and narrative style.
“Aiyaary is very special for many reasons. First and foremost, how Neeraj Pandey has written the script and structured the storyline is remarkable. The way he gave it a fictional look and created the relationship between my character and Sidharth Malhotra's character was truly beautiful,” he said.
“Working with Neeraj Pandey is always a pleasure. He is very clear about what he wants from his actors, and the kind of preparation he makes you go through makes the shooting process remarkable. Just spending time with him on set is a learning experience in itself.”
Despite its box office struggles, Aiyaary continues to hold a special place in Bajpayee’s heart, as well as among fans of Neeraj Pandey’s signature storytelling style.