Mumbai, August 19: Randeep Hooda is known for his unique style and powerful performances in Hindi cinema. However, there was a time when he had to wait for work after entering the film industry. He shared an interesting story about this wait during an interview.
He revealed that filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma had promised to launch him in a film. Because of this, Randeep waited at home for nearly three years, during which he received ₹35,000 every month.
Born on August 20, 1976, in Rohtak, Haryana, Randeep’s father was a doctor, and his mother was involved in social work. He spent most of his childhood with his grandmother, as his parents lived abroad due to work commitments. From a young age, he was interested in films and acting. Whenever English films were shown in school, he would imagine himself as the hero. However, his family wanted him to focus on his studies and choose a secure career.
Randeep went to Australia for his education, where he worked various jobs, including driving a taxi. In one of his interviews, he mentioned that many different people rode in his cab, including the legendary cricketer Vivian Richards. Despite his various jobs, his passion for acting remained strong. Eventually, he returned to India to try his luck in films.
In 2001, he got the opportunity to work in Mira Nair’s film “Monsoon Wedding.” This was a significant break for him, but his career did not take off immediately afterward. Randeep admitted in an interview that he felt he wasn’t skilled enough in acting at that time. He then turned to theater, where he worked with Naseeruddin Shah, gaining a deeper understanding of acting. Theater helped refine his craft.
During this period, an unusual chapter in his career unfolded. Randeep shared that Ram Gopal Varma had promised to launch him in a film and asked how much money he needed each month. Randeep replied that he needed ₹35,000. Following this, he received that amount every month for nearly three years while waiting for the film that was supposed to launch him. Unfortunately, the project did not progress as he had hoped.
Gradually, he began to receive better roles. Films like “D,” “Risk,” “Once Upon a Time in Mumbai,” “Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster,” and “Jannat 2” solidified his identity in the industry. His performance as Mahabir Bhati in the 2014 film “Highway” was particularly well-received.
In 2016, he portrayed Sarabjit Singh in the film “Sarabjit,” where he underwent a significant transformation that garnered much attention. He also worked alongside Chris Hemsworth in the Hollywood film “Extraction.”
In addition to acting, Randeep took on directing responsibilities. He starred in and directed the film “Swatantra Veer Savarkar,” establishing himself as a director as well.
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