Bajpayee, Ahlawat reunite in ‘The Family Man 3’, call it a journey of learning and admiration
By Komal Panchamatia

Years after they played a volatile father–son duo in the cult classic Gangs of Wasseypur, Manoj Bajpayee and Jaideep Ahlawat are back together on screen — this time as adversaries in The Family Man 3. But off screen, the two actors share nothing but admiration for each other.

Ahlawat, 45, said he holds “deep respect” for Bajpayee, calling him one of the finest performers in Indian cinema. The 56-year-old Bajpayee responded with equal warmth, saying he has always been in awe of Ahlawat’s craft, particularly his work in the acclaimed series Paatal Lok.

“I saw Paatal Lok and I can talk about every scene,” Bajpayee told PTI in an interview with Ahlawat and the rest of The Family Man 3 team. “I like Jaideep’s work a lot. He has done such a good job, that’s why I keep talking about Paatal Lok again and again.”

The upcoming season of the hit spy series marks their first major collaboration since their Wasseypur days, but instead of familial bonding, the actors will be seen locking horns as opposing forces.

Both said the reunion has been a process of learning from each other’s methods, instincts and dedication. While Bajpayee praised Ahlawat’s depth and intensity, Ahlawat called Bajpayee a “masterclass in performance”.

The makers of The Family Man 3 have kept plot details under wraps, but the buzz around the Bajpayee–Ahlawat face-off has already raised expectations for one of the year’s most anticipated releases.