I've great respect for TV actors, technicians: Manoj Bajpayee

Manoj Bajpayee, who will be seen promoting his forthcoming film Special Chabbis on TV show Hum Ne Li Hai...Shapath, says he has huge respect for small screen actors and technicians. He admits that they work harder than people in the film world.

"TV actors work hard - from morning to night because they have deadlines to meet. So I have great respect for all the television actors and technicians. Film people don't work as hard as them," the 43-year-old said here Sunday on the sets of the show.

In the beginning of his career, Manoj worked in Tigmanshu Dhulia's TV series Hum Bambai Nahin Jayenge and Swaabhimaan. He shifted focus to the silver screen after the success of the movie Satya.

"It felt like coming back to my serial world. They work everyday while film people do two to three films a year and are free at other times," Manoj said.

In his new movie Special Chabbis, directed by Neeraj Pandey, Manoj plays a CBI officer.

Talking about his preparation for the role, he said: "I have a few friends in CBI, I got to know a few things from them. Besides, there was Neeraj Pandey's research work which I used in this film."

Special Chabbis also features Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Jimmy Shergill and Kajal Aggarwal. It is slated to release Feb 8.