21 minutes agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari/Arunima Shukla
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In today's struggle story, the story is of actor Randeep Hooda. Randeep has been in the news for a long time because of the film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. However, he had to struggle a lot to complete this film. To get into the role of Veer Savarkar, he had lost 32 kg of weight.
During the making of this film, he even had to sell his property in Mumbai. There came a time when it became necessary to close the film. But with his wisdom he did not allow this to happen. In 2018, he was cast in the film Battle of Saragarhi, but it could not be made. Due to this he went into depression. At this time, the family members were afraid that they might do something wrong with themselves.
Randeep himself told us all these things while sitting in his office located in Aram Nagar, Mumbai. The happiness of the success of the film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' was visible on his face. After some formality our conversation started.
Read the story of Randeep Hooda's struggle, in his own words
How was your childhood?
In response, Randeep said- I too spent my childhood like a normal child. Although I never thought that I would become an actor. There was no desire for this in my mind. I did my schooling from Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Haryana. Initially there was a lot of interest in sports. I have won many awards in swimming up to the national level.
After some time, I was introduced to the school theater group. After watching one or two plays, I also fell in love with acting. Along with working in plays here, he also directed some plays. But after leaving school, I lost touch with acting.
You have completed your graduation from Australia, what kind of struggle was there?
Randeep told- Family members wanted me to become a doctor, but I was not interested in it. Then I did graduation in Marketing from Melbourne, Australia. Actually, at the insistence of a friend, I also went to Melbourne. That friend had said that along with studies, you will get a good job there and everything will be first class. However, upon reaching there the truth came to light.
After completing my BBA, I started driving a taxi because I had taken a loan during my studies. After working there for some time, I returned to India in 2000.
Randeep Hooda with parents.
When did you feel that you wanted to become an actor?
He said- I was only fond of acting and horse riding. After much thought, I chose acting as my profession and even today I follow horse riding as my passion. When I came back to India, I told my parents that I wanted to become an actor. He said- Do whatever you want, just don't become a burden on us.
After this, preparations began to make a name for themselves in the film industry.
How did you come to Mumbai?
He told- After getting the consent of the family, I did modeling in Delhi. At this time I got an offer to work in the film Monsoon Wedding (2001). Here I got a fee of Rs 50 thousand, which was not known where and how it ended.
Varun Bahl, who is a very good friend of mine and is also a famous designer today, had booked a flight ticket to Mumbai. When I reached Mumbai, I had only Rs 1500. Couldn't even ask from family members.
Here, after the first film I had no work for 4 years. Then with great difficulty I got work in Ram Gopal Varma's film D. The audience liked my don look in the film very much and from here my acting career started.
The process of weight transformation started with the film Sarabjit. Tell me about it?
He said- This film was released in 2016. For this film I lost 18 kg in 28 days. I am able to do this kind of weight gain and weight loss only because I am a sports person. I feel happy doing this thing. You watch any two of my films, the characters of both will not look alike at all. I try to find something new in every character.
Like when I was playing the character of Inspector Avinash, I was 90-92 kg at that time. Used to eat a lot. My mother was very happy with this thing. The story was based on UP, hence I adapted myself to Lucknowi accent. Everything was done the same way.
You were in depression when the film Battle of Saragarhi was closed, how bad was that time?
Randeep was a part of this film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. He had made all the preparations for the shooting of the film. But the film got shelved. On this he said- I had made a lot of preparations for this, but due to some reasons the film got stopped.
To look like a Sikh character, I grew my beard like a Sikh for 3 years. I once went to the Golden Temple. I had pledged there that I would not get my hair cut until this film reached its conclusion. But even after this the film could not be made.
This thing broke me from inside. I went into depression. He used to lock himself in his room. It felt as if someone from the house was going to cut my beard. My condition caused a lot of trouble to my family members. They had refused to let me lock the room. They were afraid that I would do something wrong to myself.
While I was preparing for this film, I got an offer to work in Chris Hemsworth's 2020 film Extraction. However I refused. I was waiting for this film for 3 years but it did not work out. I had gained weight and didn't know what to do.
Randeep won many medals in the horse riding competitions held in Mumbai and Delhi in 2014. The special thing was that he had to face the trained horsemen of the Indian Army.
During this time, one day he went for horse riding to entertain himself. As soon as I sat on the horse, I felt dizzy and fell down. He fell down with such force that his knee got badly injured. Had to go to hospital immediately. Stayed in bed for 8 weeks.
There was nothing to do at this time. Only then did the process of writing begin, which continues till now. Sitting on the bed, I wrote 15-20 short stories. I have also written 5-6 scripts on which I will make a film in the future. I had decided that even if the film Battle of Saragarhi could not be made, I would not let this happen with the film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'.
After recovery, I also accepted the offer of film extraction.
You have lost weight for the film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar', how was this weight loss journey?
Randeep told- When I started preparing for this film, I was 92 kg and after the transformation I became 60 kg. Earlier I used to take only water, black coffee and green tea. Then I added cheela, dark chocolate and nuts to my diet. Because of this I could not sleep. Due to weakness he used to fall on the set.
Parents were very sad due to this. The wife was also troubled by this. When these things became too much, I used to go and stay in a hotel so that they would not be too much affected by my condition. It was very important to do this for the film, but the family members keep worrying.
During the films Sarabjit and Battle of Saragarhi, my parents had made me swear that I would not do such a body transformation in future. But every time I broke this oath. This time also he has got it done. Perhaps this oath may also be broken in the future.
Randeep had lost 32 kg weight for the film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar'. He shared this picture of weight loss on his social media account.
Did you face financial challenges during the making of this film?
Randeep said- Yes, a lot had to be done. I put everything I had into this project. Despite this, problems persisted. My father had bought 2-3 properties in Mumbai for my future, which I sold and invested the money in films. No one supported the film, but even after this I did not stop.
What do you have to say on the positive response the film 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar' is getting?
Randeep says- I am very happy with this thing. I am feeling very happy to see the kind of love the film is getting. Even after so many days of release, people are clapping for the film. This is a big victory for me as a filmmaker.
When this story came to me, I did not know much about Veer Savarkar ji. But when I read about him, I came to know that so much injustice has been done to such a noble person. Then I started looking for why so much went wrong with them. After knowing everything, I accepted it as my responsibility and decided that I will continue to tell the truth of Savarkar ji to everyone. During this time he was ready to face all the troubles.
Perhaps because of this, all the troubles that had to be faced have ended today. The audience's love for the film has worked as a balm. The love of the audience has saved me from drowning.
Randeep married actress Lynn Laishram on 29 November 2023 in Imphal, Manipur. Both of them had chosen traditional Manipuri wedding attire for this special day. After being in a relationship for 4 years, both of them got married.
Tell us about new projects?
I just want to work as an actor for some time. I was offered 3-4 biopic films, but I refused. I want to give myself some rest. After the break, I will start the process of making films based on the stories written by me.