Actor Manoj Bajpayee, while promoting his latest Zee5 film Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout, said that he admires the work of the paparazzi. Discussing a potential character he wants to play, Bajpayee said, "These days, the airport scene has evolved. Initially, the actors' PR would tip off photographers, but now our paparazzi have learned the schedules. When they photograph me, I sometimes feel guilty, because others might think I've called them. Many treat me with respect, and they also direct actors, in a fun way, on how to pose for a good picture. I would love to portray a paparazzi in a film. Poor guy doesn’t eating nothing because some celebrity is going to land at the airport (sic).”

The candid admission of the actor on the changing landscape of celebrity culture is sure to surprise some, especially considering that he is best known for his realistic portrayal of characters. From his acting debut in Shekhar Kapur's Bandit Queen to his breakout role in Ram Gopal Varma's Satya to the two Gangs of Wasseypur films to his next Bhaiyya Ji, a majority of Bajpayee's characters have a realistic side.

Bajpayee reprises the role of ACP Avinash Verma in the sequel to the 2021 whodunit thriller Silence... Can You Hear It?. The film also has role reprisals of some of the actors from the original, namely Prachi Desai (Inspector Sanjana Bhatia), Sahil Vaid (Inspector Amit Chauhan), and Vaquar Shaikh (Inspector Raj Gupta). It also stars Parul Gulati, Ankit Bhardwaj, and Shruti Bapna, and marks the return of Silence... Can You Hear It? writer-director Aban Bharucha Deohans.

Bajpayee will next be seen in the action film Bhaiyya Ji, which reunites him with his Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai filmmaker Apoorv Singh Karki and is slated for a May 24 release.