From Belwa, a small-town in Bihar, to a tastefully-decorated, sprawling ninth floor apartment in Mumbai’s Andheri - his is the quintessential Bollywood success story. He was last spotted in an interesting episode of Sanjay Gupta’s Dus Kahaaniyan, thereafter in Money Hai To Honey Hai, which did not quite make the mark. Manoj Bajpai admits that his life’s been “one helluva roller-coaster ride” as he stretches on the long sofa. The twice-National Award- winning actor is back to prove his worth. At his sea-facing apartment, he switches on the central air-conditioning only on request, “I am a no-AC person,” he shrugs. The whitewashed walls and minimalist decor only reflect the owner’s persona. Excerpts from an hour-long interaction with the intense actor:

What is your interpretation of the title - Jugaad? The transliteration as we know is ‘making a compromise’.
Jugaad is not merely a word but it is about the mentality of society. Jugaad is synonymous with babu-dom - the palm-greasing that you have to do to get your work done. It is more than making a compromise. It’s resorting to illegal means sans remorse or guilt.

Have you done some jugaad in real life?
(Laughs) Oh yes, I have done my bit of jugaad in my time - as an adolescent – it was sneaking into a movie theatre to watch my favourite heroine dance and later to get a rail ticket out-of- turn perhaps!

And now when you are older and wiser?
(Draws a deep breath) I am very conscious about my conduct; I don’t do jugaad of any sort now. Even in getting a film ticket out of turn, you may be skipping a small regulation and it may seem like harmless fun, but you are cheating somebody waiting out there in the queue. I don’t try to get favours from anybody.

Your role in the film is pretty much like that of a righteous person.
True, I am rather like the protagonist in the film. A regular guy whose office shuts down due to the erroneous ceiling act in Delhi. He is also responsible for his 50 employees. How he gets his life back on track without any jugaad is what the film is about.

Jugaad does seem to have a relevant social message then.
It is a satire - the first half of the film is full of situational comedy. You will laugh all along and then in the latter half begins the fight for right. There is a definite social message that you can steer clear of jugaad and lead a meaningful life.

Would we see you more often on screen this year?
I have Acid Factory, which is an interesting tale of five criminals. I am off to Bhopal to shoot for Prakash Jha’s Rajniti next. I am going through a lot of scripts now.

Do you consult your wife Neha about the scripts you get?
Neha is the pillar of strength for me, she supports and encourages me. I am a homebody and like to spend my free time with the family at home.

Does the new-age cinema offer you the world of opportunities?
I am not in favour of these categories - even today with the given resources and expertise we aren’t able to make films like Madhumati and Kagaz Ke Phool. But I am delighted to see some exciting cinema that these new directors are creating. I truly loved Dibaker Banerjee’s Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Nishikant Kamat’s Mumbai Meri Jaan and Neeraj Pandey’s A Wednesday.

Aren’t you surprised that you don’t feature in any of those?
(Sighs) These filmmakers have mushroomed over the last two years when I was not able to participate in any of these projects as I fell sick. I had a painful overgrowth in my right shoulder and was unable to move my arm. But I am back with a vengeance and am dying to act now.

Do you wonder how Irrfan Khan and Kay Kay Menon have stolen a march ahead of you?
I take the credit for this kind of positioning of heroes in films. I am happy that my fight has yielded positive results and theatre actors are accepted in their right. I initiated this demand and upset many industry stalwarts in the bargain then.

Are you referring to Ram Gopal Varma, your mentor, by any chance?
My equation changed with him and I was upset about it for a while. But I have forgotten all about the humiliation I faced. But I won’t say that I have forgiven!

You delivered one of your finest performances under Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s direction in Aks. How’s your equation with him now?
After Aks, I was to do Paanch Pandav for him but for some reasons that project was shelved. Since then we have been in touch. I called him up only half an hour ago congratulating him about his Delhi 6 promos. So I have a cordial relationship with him.

Where do you find yourself in these times of six-pack abs?
I have always been in favour of actors being fit. You should be fit enough to take off your shirt, run or jump as the situation may warrant. But the abs and packs don’t bother me at all! You ought to be careful that you don’t disregard basic health rules in pursuit of perfectly-honed bodies - those protein pills and powders can be hazardous.

So what’s your fitness regimen?
My day starts with a round of Pranayam followed by stretching and some weight-training. But I must tell you, I am very careful about my diet. All thanks to Neha – she controls every calorie and protein serving in this household. We aren’t fitness freaks but fitness enthusiasts.

Are you still keen about launching your banner?
Manoj Bajpai Productions is my dream, so that I will be able to promote scripts of my liking, encourage young talent and yet make money. Something like Aamir Khan has achieved - making sensible mainstream films with a difference and be successful at it.

Are you the hero back home in Bihar? Do you have any political offers?
Back home I am a loved son who got them respect. They treat me with pride and admiration. There are many offers to join politics but my heart and soul is still in search of a good part as an actor. I am not ready for politics.

Unlike the rest of the stars, you don’t care to display your trophies and awards. Why?
My two national awards, the Screen trophies and other awards are not on display because I don’t care to flaunt them. I accept awards in all humility and feel honoured. Then I forget about them, for tomorrow is another day. These awards don’t match up with my present and have no reflection on my future. They are best forgotten.