Randeep Hooda regrets missing out on Rang De Basanti: Won’t stand behind Aamir

Randeep Hooda regrets missing out on Rang De Basanti: Won’t stand behind Aamir

Actor Randeep Hooda has opened up about one of his biggest career regrets—saying no to a role in Rang De Basanti, the 2006 cult classic that became a turning point for Indian cinema. In a candid admission, Randeep Hooda revealed that ego and his refusal to be in a supporting role led him to pass up the opportunity to work on the now-legendary project.

“I won’t stand behind Aamir,” Randeep Hooda confessed, recalling his mindset at the time. “It was pure ego. I wanted to be the lead, not just a part of an ensemble where I wouldn’t be at the center.”

His decision, which he now looks back on with regret, cost him a chance to be part of a film that not only made waves at the box office but also became a cultural milestone.

Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rang De Basanti won the National Award for Best Popular Film and was selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars in 2006. The film was praised for its fresh take on patriotism, where a group of college students, inspired by India’s freedom fighters, take a stand against modern-day corruption. With powerful performances, stirring music by A.R. Rahman, and a sharp screenplay, the film left a lasting impact and became a voice for India’s youth.

“It didn’t just change Aamir Khan’s filmography—it changed the way patriotic stories were told in Hindi cinema,” Hooda reflected. “Mehra showed how the Indian youth didn’t need the chest-thumping jingoism to provide their patriotism, and what real freedom meant.”

Hooda, known for his raw performances in films like Highway, Sarbjit, and Laal Rang, admitted that his career path was shaped by a desire to work with non-mainstream directors. While that choice earned him critical acclaim, it also led to missed opportunities.

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“I have always worked with a few different kinds of filmmakers and producers and not with industry insiders. Maybe that’s why my growth was slow,” he explained. “I used to think I am enough and that craft is everything, but it is not the case.”

His comments shed light on the challenges faced by talented actors who choose the path less traveled in an industry often driven by connections and commercial appeal. Hooda acknowledged that while focusing on craft has helped him evolve as an actor, it also kept him from entering the mainstream spotlight earlier in his career.

Currently, Randeep Hooda is sharing screen space with Sunny Deol in Jaat, a gritty, rural drama that’s performing decently at the box office. The film explores themes of identity and justice, aligning well with Hooda’s penchant for meaningful cinema.

Looking back, Hooda doesn’t shy away from admitting that turning down Rang De Basanti was a misstep. “Some things are meant to be, and some are lessons,” he said thoughtfully. “I’ve learned to keep the craft alive but also to make peace with the business side of films.”