Gajab Raat Backlash: Has OTT Exposed Manoj Bajpayee?

Gajab Raat Raises Questions Over Manoj

Manoj Bajpayee has built a strong reputation as one of the most dependable actors in the OTT space. But with his latest Netflix film Gajab Raat, a familiar problem is emerging. While his performance is getting some appreciation, viewers are increasingly questioning whether the actor is repeating the same expressions and mannerisms across projects.

Directed by Ritesh Shah, Gajab Raat follows a night during which corruption, guilt, and justice collide. The film tries to expose a rotten system through flawed characters and dark humor. Manoj carries much of the film on his shoulders, playing a man whose mood shifts between confidence, desperation, and greed.

The problem is that a good performance cannot always save a weak film. Gajab Raat has a slow screenplay, scattered characters, and storytelling that struggles to hold attention. Too many scenes revolve around characters walking, talking on the phone, and moving between hotels and hospitals. What should build tension often feels stretched, leaving the story struggling to move forward.

Manoj does what he can with the material, but the backlash over repetition is now becoming harder to ignore. Since The Family Man, audiences have seen him play several characters with similar bursts of energy, sharp reactions, and sudden changes in mood. Increasingly, it feels like different permutations and combinations of the same expressions. This approach might still work when the writing is strong, but it becomes exhausting when the screenplay fails to offer anything fresh.

This does not mean Manoj has lost his acting ability. It means even a talented actor needs strong writing and distinct characters to keep audiences interested.

For an actor of Manoj Bajpayee’s ability, the bigger challenge now is not proving his talent again but finding roles that show audiences something new.