Manoj Bajpayee continues to expand his already impressive slate of upcoming projects. PeepingMoon.com has exclusively learned that the National Award-winning actor is next collaborating with filmmaker Vipul Shah on a political thriller titled ‘Governor.’ 

Sources reveal that Bajpayee will play the titular role of the governor in this intense, commercially-driven theatrical drama. Vipul, known for directing ‘Aankhen’ (2002), ‘Waqt: The Race Against Time’ (2005), and ‘Namastey London’ (2007), will produce the film under his banner, Sunshine Pictures. Directorial duties have been assigned to Chinmay Mandlekar, who recently directed Bajpayee in Netflix India’s forthcoming cop drama ‘Inspector Zende.’

‘Governor’ has been in development at Sunshine Pictures for the last two years and was earlier supposed to be directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, who helmed Bajpayee’s 2023 critically acclaimed legal drama, ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai.’ However, Karki had to step away due to his other commitments. It was Bajpayee who then recommended Chinmay having developed a strong creative rapport with him during ‘Inspector Zende.’

Casting for other key roles is currently underway. Pre-production has also begun, with plans to commence shooting between July and August. The film is a gripping political thriller and will add another dynamic performance to Bajpayee’s illustrious career, which includes standout roles in films like ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (2012), ‘Satya’ (1998), ‘Special 26,’ ‘Joram,’ ‘Gulmohar,’ and ‘Rajneeti,’ among others. The actor is thrilled to collaborate with Vipul for the first time on a project that promises to showcase him in a role unlike any he has played before.

Bajpayee is expected to commence shooting for ‘Governor’ after wrapping Neeraj Pandey's Netflix film, directed by renowned screenwriter Ritesh Shah. He also has Shekhar Kapur's ‘Masoom: The New Generation’ and Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Police Station Mein Bhoot’ lined up, while his third season of Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Family Man’ is set to premiere during the Diwali weekend.