"He (Rajkummar) is somebody I really envy because in the time when the good films are happening, in the time when such great directors like Hansal Mehta are making films, he is just there in the right age. So many actors like me, spent our time waiting at home for that one script to happen and those films used to be very rare," said Manoj at the trailer launch of the film on Thursday.
As seen in the trailer, Manoj plays the role of a professor getting caught in a homosexual act and facing opposition from the society in the film. Rajkummar plays a journalist who initially gets involved with the case for his story, but later becomes friends with Manoj's character and understands his feelings. The story of the film is based on a real-life incident in 2010 of Aligarh Muslim University professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras.
Manoj and Rajkummar had earlier worked together in Ashutosh Gowariker's "Chittagong" before the latter had gained popularity for his roles in "Kai Po Che" and "Shahid".
"I've seen him for the first time when I was doing 'Chittagong' somewhere in North Bengal - young boy, full of dreams, full of enthusiasm, desperate to prove himself all the time. But good at heart. Somebody that I related to from the first day. And from that day till now, we're great friends. I have lot of admiration for this man, not only because he is a good guy but also because there is so much of passion.
"Once he's convinced about something, he just goes ahead and gives everything that he has without thinking what he's going to get out of it. Somebody who hasn't thought twice before taking this decision to be part of 'Aligarh'," said Manoj.
"Aligarh" is directed by "Shahid" and "Citylights" director Hansal Mehta.
