Randeep Hooda Reflects on Rejecting Rang De Basanti: “My Ego Got in the Way”
The actor admits turning down the role of Bhagat Singh in the acclaimed film due to personal arrogance, a decision he now regrets.
In a candid conversation with YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra, actor Randeep Hooda opened up about a pivotal moment early in his career—declining the role of Bhagat Singh in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s 2006 film Rang De Basanti. Hooda revealed that despite a successful audition, he chose to step away from the project, influenced by personal ego and advice from industry peers.
If I would have done Rang De Basanti, I would have come in a different league,” Hooda confessed. He recounted that director Mehra was keen on casting him, even personally urging him to accept the role. However, at the time, Hooda was swayed by filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who offered him a lead role in the film D. Varma questioned Hooda’s decision to take a supporting role, saying, “I’m thinking of casting you in the lead role in D, and you want to go stand behind Aamir in the poster?” This led Hooda to decline the offer, stating, “Meri Jaat akad nikal aayi (My Jaat arrogance came up), and I said, ‘I won’t stand behind Aamir.
Reflecting on his choices, Hooda acknowledged that his preference for working with non-mainstream filmmakers and avoiding industry insiders may have slowed his career progression. “I used to think I was enough and that craft was everything, but that’s not the case,” he admitted.
Rang De Basanti went on to become a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film. It was also India’s official entry for the Oscars and received a BAFTA nomination. The role of Bhagat Singh, initially offered to Hooda, was ultimately portrayed by actor Siddharth.
Currently, Randeep Hooda is garnering praise for his performance in the action thriller Jaat, where he stars alongside Sunny Deol. The film has been well-received, marking a successful chapter in Hooda’s diverse filmography.
