I’m with the times, not behind: Hooda

Randeep is convinced that his choice of unconventional roles is in sync with changing times.

NEW DELHI: Randeep Hooda may not be a quintessential Bollywood hero, but the tall and handsome actor sweeps you off your feet as a rough-around-the-edges yet affable villain in Highway. Conscious of the fact that he cannot compete with the ‘Rajs’ and ‘Prems’ of Hindi cinema, the actor acknowledges that there is enough space for him to show his creativity in both commercial and parallel cinemas.

“A Bollywood hero, for most people, has been a Raj, a Rahul or a Prem... it’s now a part of the psyche. Earlier, there were bigger superstars playing the lead roles, the hero was different - a clean, good guy. But I never adhered to it,” said Randeep.

If Imtiaz Ali’s fresh approach to Highway affirms the director’s creativity, the way Randeep carries his role in the road movie reflects his command over his skills, and shows why actors with a theatre background have something different about them.

“I have been working relentlessly and equally hard on all my films throughout my career. But I knew that working with a name like Imtiaz will give me an audience of a lot more people,” said the actor.

“A lot more people have watched Highway; it has a wider and more urban audience. I have received great feedback for the film. Lots of people have said it’s the ‘redefining Randeep Hooda performance’,” he added.

The 37-year-old, who leaves a lasting impression as Mahabir Bhati, a violent kidnapper with the vulnerability of a child in Highway, says: “The hero is changing in Bollywood and I approach a role by focussing on his weaknesses. I feel the weaknesses of a character to make them more alive, relatable and human. Gladly, that’s gaining acceptance among viewers these days and the success of Highway is proof. In that sense, I am glad that I am with the times, and not behind,” he added.

As a big screen performer, Randeep began his tryst with Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding in 2001. Following that, he featured in D, Ru Ba Ru, Love Khichdi and the likes. But he reinvented himself with 2010 film Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, in which he played a cop and the role truly brought Randeep to the forefront.

“It was a very well-packaged movie with the likes of actors like Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi playing key roles. I had myself put this roadblock in my mind about not choosing commercial films, but with Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, I realised the importance of being able to do all kinds of movies,” he said.

It was then that Randeep stepped out of his comfort zone and did Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Jannat 2, Jism 2, Heroine and Murder 3.

“I saw the reach of these films and saw what being a part of songs can do to you. You get recognised for your work, and I guess this whole idealism about not doing songs or commercial cinema is hogwash. Every actor’s deepest desire is to reach a huge audience. So, I don’t look down upon commercial cinema...there’s a beauty in it that you understand sooner or later,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2014.

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