Manoj Tiwari is a destiny’s child. For long, living a relatively anonymous life as a restaurant singer, he hit the jackpot with the Bhojpuri film “Sasura Bada Paise Wala”. According to him, the film was made for just Rs.30 lakhs, and it made Rs.40 crores. There has been no looking back for Manoj Tiwari since. From a superstar of Bhojpuri cinema he has now graduated to be a Member of Parliament from North East Delhi. He was in Marwah studio in Noida recently to launch a music album where he took a few questions.
Excerpts:
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Yes, I was doing very well, and still things are going well for me in the Bhojpuri film industry. Looking at the prevailing conditions in the country and specially my state Bihar, I thought of doing something, and if you have the power and the required funds, bringing changes is much easier. Though it was a tough decision for me to leave behind 14-15 years of stardom, but the patriotism in me won and I joined politics and am trying to do my best.
As a Member of Parliament, what are your plans for the development of Bhojpuri film industry as well as your native place?
I have been elected as a Member of Parliament from North East Delhi, I have my responsibilities towards my constituency. As far as Bhojpuri cinema is concerned, there are about 20 crore Bhojpuri speaking people in the world but still the language has got no official status. We met the Home Minister in this regard and hope to get the constitutional status in the next session of Parliament. It will be a boom for the Bhojpuri film Industry. As far as my native place is concerned I have built a sports academy and I provide budding sports persons with sports gear from my personal savings. I also plan to build a stadium there in my district Kaimur very soon.
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In your life quite a few things have happened due to a twist of fate. You became a Bhojpuri superstar though you did not plan to join the industry. Please elaborate.
I started my career as a singer, I was very much satisfied. I never wanted to become an actor but I was forced to act. Bhojpuri industry was in a bad state, films were not being made. My growing popularity in the region made some people think of making a film casting me. They requested me to take up acting and I agreed. I must say it was destiny’s call – a film made for just Rs.30 lakhs earned Rs.40 crores and also revived the film industry.
How do you balance your responsibilities as an actor and as a public servant?
It has been very difficult for me to strike a balance between the two. Most of my time is devoted towards the uplift of the public. There is a misconception that elected people from the film fraternity are not faithful, I want to prove this wrong through my achievements. During all this, I am also doing my stage shows.
What’s next?
I have just done some Bhojpuri folk albums. My new album having romantic songs ‘Oka Boka’ will be released just after Holi and my next film shooting will start in March. Hopefully, it will be in theatres five months from now.