Where do we begin with India’s own McDreamy Randeep Hooda? Incredibly good looks, brooding demeanor, how we wish this actor would get more love from the audience. And now on the eve of his most ambitious role ever, essaying Charles Shobhraj in Main Aur Charles, we look back at his journey in Indian cinema.
Belonging to a Jat family, Randeep Hooda was born on 20 August, 1976 in Haryana to doctor and social worked, Ranbir and Asha Hooda respectively. During the earlier part of his life, she was mainly involved in sports. It was only later that he developed an interest in theater and movies. Hooda moved to Melbourne in 1995 to pursue education. It was in the year 2001, when Hooda was offered a role in Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding — a movie that was a commercial and critical success. The movie roped in many international awards and was highly praised for the performance delivered by all. In spite of the film’s success, Hooda didn’t break the mold to find mainstream love in the Indian cinema industry. He worked in commercials and continued his love for theater to support himself financially. Four years later, he was offered his second break in the movie — ‘ D ‘ — directed by Ram Gopal Varma. This again gained him a lot of praise for his performance. The new rejuvenated career started getting him a reputation of delivering quality execution.
Hooda however, of late came into his own with his phenomenal take in Highway directed by Imtiaz Ali. He was paired up with Alia Bhatt. And though the movie may have proved more beneficial to Alia Bhatt’s career than Hooda’s, the film and the performances were widely appreciated. The film went on to make nearly ₹35 Cr. at the box office.
We can’t wait to see him essay Charles Shobhraj in Prawal Raman’s Main Aur Charles opposite the perennially underrated Richa Chaddha, on the life of Charles Shobhraj and the jail break of 1986. Next up would be Do Lafzon Ki Kahaani directed by Deepak Tijori of Tom, Dick & Harry fame.
Let’s just say, we can’t wait for this star to breakout with continued mainstream success. We are rooting for you Randeep!
Originally published at www.sahinahi.com.
