"I play a chef in Love Khichdi" - Randeep Hooda 
By Nikhil Ramsubramaniam, May 21, 2008 - 16:46 IST
He is the perfect blend of good looks, well-toned physique and incredible acting skills. Little wonder then that this dude, who was doing his MBA in Australia, decided to try his luck in the big, bad world of Bollywood. After a cameo in Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding, he did make people sit up and take notice of his talent in his first big release D. He later followed it up with yet another cops v/s gangster flick Risk. Since then Randeep Hooda may not have been seen much on the big screen but he is all set to start his second innings with a string of big releases. Randeep has quite an interesting line up of films where he gets to play characters as diverse as a flamboyant painter to a chef to the owner of an ad agency to the ultimate ladies man. Bollywood Hungama gets Ru Ba Ru with the incredibly talented and charming Randeep Hooda
You haven't had a release in almost a year and a half (after Risk) but this year you have nearly 5 films set to release. How does it feel to be back after a while?
(Laughs) To be back!!! I never went anywhere man. Yes, it does feel good that a larger section of the audience would able to see my work and probably my work would be appreciated. But as they say, it's not over till the fat lady sings (smiles)
You have been appreciated for your acting in most of your films be it D, Risk or even that spooky episode in Darna Zaroori Hai…Yet none of these films managed to strike gold at the box-office….Does it ever bother you?
As an actor one always wishes that their work reaches out to as many people as possible. The fact that these films didn't get too many people in terms of a theatrical patronage does feel bad coz a lot of people who wanted to watch it didn't even get to see my work.
So what do you think went wrong?
I really don't know what went wrong. If I knew or for that matter if anybody knew before hand the fate of a film, then every film would go on to be a blockbuster. May be one of the reasons could be that the novelty value of the subject chosen was diluted because such a film was already made with a more popular star in the past. Some people also felt that there is a lot of repeat of the RGV brand in those movies. That could be another reason also but even though they didn't really do well; I still get messages from people every other day who seem to have liked my performance after watching these films on DVD. So yes I guess these films somewhere are still around
Some people also felt that there is a lot of repeat of the RGV brand in those movies
|
You have always portrayed the tough guy roles; first as a gangster in D, then a ruthless sharp-shooter in Risk. But now in your forthcoming release Rang Rasiya you are playing the part of the legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma. Why this sudden drastic change of image?
Why? Because it is a damn good role man. After D and Risk I felt there was just this one single linear aspect of mine which was being exploited. So I decided that I didn't want to have guns in my next 4 or 5 releases. In fact I was offered many similar roles of a gangster or a cop but irrespective of the banner or director I refused it blatantly. I myself as a person didn't want to touch a gun and shoot people. I felt that I have had more than my share of psychological violence coming out of my head through these movies. So I took a conscious decision to stay away from roles that have anything do with senseless violence and guns. I took up other subjects that could explore other aspects of my personality. And in my next few releases I think I have done that.
So what is the film Rang Rasiya all about?
The film is about this great painter from Kerala, Raja Ravi Varma, who died in 1906. He was a guy who although got inspired from the European style of painting, did not believing in copying that style. He wanted to convey his stories through his own style of painting. And then came a point in his life where he realized that art and paintings is just reserved for the ruling class or the affluent people. He felt that even the smaller sections should be subjected to the various art forms. So he took it upon himself, sold everything that he had and invested a lot of money into setting up a printing press with a guy from Germany. He could put his paintings on print. In fact most of the Gods and Goddesses we pray to like Saraswati etc; they are prints from Raja Ravi Varma paintings. So you can say he was the one to give a face to Gods in India. Till then they were only written about.
|
Most of the Gods and Goddesses we pray to like Saraswati etc. are prints from Raja Ravi Varma paintings. So you can say he was the one to give a face to Gods in India.
|
How has been the experience working with a seasoned filmmaker like Ketan Mehta?
Ketan really guided me and nurtured me as an actor and was really helpful. Earlier I have worked mainly with first time directors, so with Ketan it was a different experience altogether. He still exudes the same energy levels as if he is making his first film but there is always this vast umbrella of experience that he put around which was really helpful. It was a fantastic experience because he tells his stories the way he wants to and somewhere deep down even I follow my gut while choosing my projects.
|
Ketan really guided me and nurtured me as an actor and was really helpful.
|
What about your equation with your co-star Nandana Sen?
With Nandana, it was, at times, up and down (smiles) but overall it was okay.
Off-screen you have always been known as a ladies man; now you seem to be taking that very image on-screen too. Your next few releases see you playing the romantic hero.
Its about time, I guess (laughs). On a more serious note, I purposefully chose to do those serious roles initially as everyone at that time was doing the typical chocolate boy hero kind of roles which I didn't find exciting. Now having done some tough guy roles, I feel I need to explore different aspects of my personality.
Apart from Rang Rasiya, you have Love Khichdi where you are paired with seven gorgeous girls. How does it feel?
(Laughs) Yeah man…I have got seven very beautiful actresses like Riya Sen, Rituparna Sengupta, Sonali Kulkarni, Divya Dutta, and Jesse Randhawa etc... Love Khichdi has a very nicely woven story to it. I play a chef, who is very ambitious and like most of us, comes to Mumbai to strike big. There is a certain image of love that he has in his mind. He soon realizes that love actually is not what he thought it is. And it's about his journey of discovering what love is? How he tries to find out the true meaning of love based on his interaction and experiences with various ladies. Somewhere he does discover what true love is all about. It's a very slice-of-life kind of a film which everyone would relate too.
You also have Percept Picture Company's Ru Ba Ru where you are paired opposite Shahana Goswami. Is that yet another love story?
Ru Ba Ru is a love story about how we take our loved ones for granted. Hopefully when people come out after watching the film, they would love and respect their beloved even more. So it's a very nice and insightful love story.
So which would be your immediate release Rang Rasiya, Love Khichdi or Ru Ba Ru?
Well… the shooting for all three films is done. The first copy is out. But I'm not sure which one of the three is going to release first.
|
After D and Risk I felt there was just this one single linear aspect of mine which was being exploited. So I decided that I didn't want to have guns and violence in my next 4 or 5 releases.
|
So what are you currently busy with?
I am shooting for this film (tentatively) called Khusarprasad Ka Bhoot. It is co-produced by iDream Productions and Red Ice Films. Basically, the film is a satire on the system. It's an amazing script and I am getting to work with some really good actors like Paresh Rawal, Raghuveer Yadav, Govind Namdeo and Neetu Chandra. So it's really like going back to school for me (smiles). The film is directed by Gary Grewal (Robby Grewal's brother). Its quite a wacky kind of a film. There is also Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye with Raima Sen which is again a very different kind of a film.
One of your films Karma, Confessions and Holi with Sushmita Sen is yet to see the light of the day. Any news when it is going to be released?
I don't know man. I think the producers would be best able to answer that question. It's a great film but I still don't know when and if they are planning to release the film at all.
You seem to be having a Sen-sational time with the Sens having worked with Sushmita, Riya, Raima, Rituparna and Nandana.
(Laughs).What do I say? There is a lot of Sen-se in my life (laughs). It's quite funny that I seem to be working with a lot of Bong actresses. Maybe its due to the fact that the industry itself has so many Bong actresses.
|
There is a lot of Sen-se in my life. It's quite funny that I seem to be working with a lot of Bong actresses.
|
So how's your equation with Sushmita Sen now? Are you still in touch with her?
No not really.
So does that mean you are single and ready to play the Love Khichdi and go Ru Ba Ru with someone for there are many PYT's out there who wish Mere Khwabon Mein Randeep aaye?
(Laughs) That's very nicely put. I don't know if I am ready yet. I am enjoying my single status and enjoying my work. And whatever little time I get I do enjoy spending in the company of my good friends. Let's see how things go. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
|
