Manoj Bajpayee and Divya Dutta on the moral conflicts of 'Last Man in Tower'

With the release of 'Last Man in Tower' approaching on September 11, lead actors Manoj Bajpayee and Divya Dutta have shared insights into their characters and the film's central conflict. Directed by Ben Rekhi and produced by Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media, the movie is an adaptation of Aravind Adiga's novel of the same name and marks the first on-screen pairing of Bajpayee with Boman Irani.

Bajpayee portrays Yogesh Mishra, affectionately known as Masterji, a retired schoolteacher who becomes the focal point of a community dispute when he refuses to accept a lucrative redevelopment offer. The narrative explores how the residents of a Mumbai housing society navigate the choices presented by this life-changing proposal.

In a conversation, Bajpayee explained his decision to read Adiga's source material for this project, a departure from his usual approach. He noted that actors do not always need to read the book a script is based on, as the screenplay itself often defines the necessary world. However, he was driven by a specific curiosity this time. "This time, I read Aravind Adiga's book because the story had to do with redevelopment," he said. He wanted to understand the novelist's perspective on Mumbai's transformation and the observations that shaped the narrative.

Bajpayee also reflected on the character's journey, noting the contrast between Masterji's past and his present. He observed that the world of his youth and the one he now inhabits are vastly different, yet his character appears to navigate this change with relative ease.

Divya Dutta plays Mrs. Sangeeta Puri, a character positioned on the opposing side of the conflict. Dutta was drawn to the role because of its inherent complexity, mentioning that the character possesses layers not immediately apparent. She elaborated on the personal circumstances that define Mrs. Puri, including the challenges of raising a special needs child, her role as a breadwinner, and a communication gap with her husband. These unspoken pressures, she suggested, shape her character's decisions and relationships.

The film's screenplay is written by Sooni Taraporevala, with Hindi dialogues by Juhi Chaturvedi. The cast also includes Sukant Goel in a key role. The music is composed by Govind Vasantha, with cinematography by Rangarajan Ramabadran. Guneet Dogra and Pratiksha Rao serve as co-producers. 'Last Man in Tower' is slated for a theatrical release across India on September 11.