Manoj Bajpayee Embraces His Role as Srikant Tiwari in 'The Family Man' Season 3

Mumbai, Nov 7 (PTI) Actor Manoj Bajpayee expressed his affection for portraying Srikant Tiwari, the central character in the fan-favorite series “The Family Man.” Bajpayee described the role as a comprehensive reflection of human traits, both admirable and flawed. He is set to reprise this beloved character in the show's eagerly awaited third season. This time, Tiwari becomes a fugitive, escaping with his family while facing formidable new adversaries and a conspiracy within his own agency, all in a desperate race against a looming national threat.

During the trailer launch event, Bajpayee emphasized that Srikant embodies a deeply human character, highlighting his ordinary yet relatable qualities. "I personally love playing this character, as it encompasses all facets of a human being. This includes all the faults and virtues that make up every individual. That relatability is why audiences resonate with him; he resembles everyone's father, husband, companion, and colleague," Bajpayee explained. He noted how Srikant reflects the common man, whether navigating the metro or stuck in traffic, capturing the character's essence.

This year, the 56-year-old actor's versatility shone through a diverse slate of projects, including the surrealist drama "The Fable," the crime comedy "Inspector Zende," and now the much-anticipated third season of "The Family Man." Bajpayee remarked, "Variety fuels my career. That's the thrill of being an actor—engaging with different genres and striving to excel with directors who offer unique perspectives on cinema. It's a challenge to adapt to each vision and feel accomplished once you've delivered your best performance."

The new season introduces Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur as the antagonists Rukma and Meera. The series, created by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, also welcomes back its ensemble cast, including Sharib Hashmi, Priyamani, Ashlesha Thakur, Vedant Sinha, Shreya Dhanwanthary, and Gul Panag.

Krishna DK acknowledged the obligation to deliver a compelling third season, following the success of its predecessors in 2019 and 2021. He mentioned, “We offered a glimpse of 'The Family Man' in 'Farzi' to assure viewers it's coming. Crafting each season becomes progressively challenging because we must maintain the element of surprise while meeting heightened expectations."

Raj Nidimoru highlighted the difficulty in creating villains for the new season. "Srikant is becoming increasingly formidable. In season one, we had Musa and Sajid; season two featured Raji and her group. This time, we had to rigorously brainstorm to conjure an equally formidable antagonist. We aimed for a balance of intelligence and strength—someone who truly presents a challenge for an agent like Srikant."

The third installment is penned by Raj, DK, and Suman Kumar, with dialogues by Sumit Arora. The series is directed by Raj & DK, alongside Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth, who join as directors for the upcoming season. "The Family Man" season three is set to premiere on Prime Video on November 21.