Randeep Hooda on turning down 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Rock On': My Jaat ego got in the way

Acclaimed filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s 'Rang De Basanti' remains one of Indian cinema’s most impactful films. Surprisingly, actor Randeep Hooda was once offered the role of Bhagat Singh in the movie. In a candid chat with Shubhankar Mishra, Randeep revealed that he had rejected the role not due to lack of interest, but out of personal arrogance. “Had I done that film, I’d have been in a different league,” he admitted, calling it a missed opportunity.
Industry advice and missed chances
During that time, Randeep Hooda was relatively new and only had two close connections in the film industry: his girlfriend and filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma. His girlfriend didn’t support the idea of taking on a small role, while RGV strongly discouraged him from playing a supporting character. “RGV said, ‘I’m casting you in the lead role in D, and you want to stand behind Aamir on a poster?’ My Jaat ego got in the way,” he recalled. Randeep Hooda even turned down 'Rock On!!' for similar reasons, believing that his craft alone would pave the way forward.
A film that left a legacy
'Rang De Basanti', a socio-political drama, starred Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, and Atul Kulkarni, with Alice Patten and Waheeda Rehman in key roles. It told the story of a British filmmaker exploring India’s revolutionary past and finding new inspiration in a group of modern youngsters. The film became a cultural landmark and earned numerous accolades, including a National Award and BAFTA nomination.
Randeep’s present-day projects
Today, Randeep is making headlines for his role in the action-packed thriller 'Jaat', directed by Gopichand Malineni. The film also features Sunny Deol, Regina Cassandra, and Saiyami Kher. His performance as an intense antagonist has received widespread acclaim, marking a strong return to the big screen.