Manoj Bajpayee returns to 'Satya' director RGV after 14 years, for 'Sarkar 3'

Director Ram Gopal Varma is finally reuniting with his protege 'Bhiku Mhatre' after almost a decade and half. Manoj Bajpayee has come on board 'Sarkar 3'

Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Sarkar (2005)

Director Ram Gopal Varma is finally reuniting with his protege 'Bhiku Mhatre' after almost a decade and half. Manoj Bajpayee has come on board Sarkar 3, which goes on floors later this year. So far, only Amitabh Bachchan had been locked for the film.

Confirming the development, a source close to the actor says, "Manoj owes his career to Varma for giving him his big break in Satya. So, when the filmmaker called him up to offer Sarkar 3, he could not say no to him."

Ram Gopal Varma

Bajpayee and Varma first worked together in Satya (1998) in which the actor immortalised the role of the Maharashtrian don Bhiku. They then collaborated for Shool, and Kaun (both 1999), with Varma as director. As far as teaming up with Big B goes, Bajpayee has worked with him in Aks (2001), Aarakshan (2011) and Satyagraha (2013).

The personal equation between Varma and Bajpayee mainly soured sometime in the early 2000s, and the two chose not to work with each other — Rajat Mukherjee's Road (2002) being their last outing together, where Varma was the producer.

Manoj Bajpayee

Over the past few weeks, names of actors including Jackie Shroff, Arjun Rampal, Suniel Shetty and Randeep Hooda had been tossed around for other roles in Sarkar 3. The first instalment starred Bachchan and son, Abhishek. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan joined the duo for part deux.

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