The cool and confident, Randeep Hooda, is no stranger to success. With his much awaited Sarabjit on the cards, we caught up with him in regards to his passion, apart from films! Read to unveil the secret…
Acting came by chance or choice?
Me and my sister were a part of this play called Westside Story where I did not have any dialogues. After the play finished, she got the award for the Best Supporting Actor. I was sitting there clapping for her, thinking to myself, “Hey, if she can do it, I can do it too.” So yes, my desire to act came from my sister.
How did you land your first role in Monsoon Wedding?
Through an audition. Part of my audition was to flirt with the director and I had a lot of practice with that (laughs). But yes, it was that simple: I went for an audition and I got the job.
Is it tough to be an outsider in Bollywood?
It’s tough to be an outsider anywhere. This industry is slightly harder on you because it’s extremely difficult to get an opportunity to display your talent but when you get that opportunity, even if you are not as great, it will work.
Credits: Delhiites Magazine
Tell us a little about your love for Polo
I do not have a deep interest in polo; I have a deep interest in horses.
Horses…
Yes, and Polo is a part of it. From the time I was a child, I have been playing with different coloured plastic horses, trying to make them stand stably with the help of thermocol. As I told you, in my sports school, I was acting and riding horses. Now I am 39, and I am still acting and riding horses. This is not an endorsement I am doing for a company; this very much comes form my heart and soul. It’s an extension of me, just like my movies and my roles.
How did this passion grow?
I got my first impression of a horse from ‘Sholay’. As a kid, I didn’t care for the movie at all. However, I was interested in watching the horse chase. Then I saw Clint Eastwood on a horse and that sealed my fate of being a horseman. I rode in school and then I didn’t ride fro 16 years. Later, I picked it up again. Milan Luthria and Naseer Sahab recommended me to the riding club in Bombay called Amateur Riders Club. So from there, I again started my journey and now I have been competing for eight years in show jumping. I have played polo but I haven’t been playing it because it requires sticking to a timeline and dealing with three other people. I prefer an individual sport because it’s just me and my horse; neither can I win because of somebody else nor can I lose because of anybody else.
Tell us a little about your club…
My Polo club is called Gurgaon Polo Equestrian Club. There are many Polo and riding clubs in the country but to have both at the same venue, is very hard to find. This is the first and the biggest lifestyle club here. My main focus is to introduce new people to horses.
