Randeep Hooda Rejected 'Rang De Basanti' Due To His 'Jaat Akad', Says, Won't Stand Behind Aamir...'

Rang De Basanti is one of the most liked films in the history of Bollywood filmmaking. The film has a major fan following even after almost two decades of its release. However, did you know there was an actor who was approached for the film, but he rejected the role?

Randeep Hooda rejected Rang De Basanti

The filmmaker, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, had approached Randeep Hooda for his 2006 hit film, Rang De Basanti. The director wanted Randeep to play a pivotal role in the film. However, the actor decided to walk away from the project in favour of a film by another ace filmmaker, Ram Gopal Varma. Randeep opened up about the same in a recent conversation with Shubhankar Mishra. The actor admitted that he regrets his decision to reject an opportunity like Rang De Basanti.

Randeep Hooda also admitted that his acting career would have been in a 'different league' if he had accepted the role in Rang De Basanti. For the unversed, the actor was approached for the role of 'Bhagat Singh' in the film, which was later essayed by Siddharth. During the conversation, he revealed that the filmmaker, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, had offered him the role, but he rejected the role. He also shared that Ram Gopal Varma had promised him a lead in his film where he would have stood behind Aamir Khan, but he refused to do so because of his 'Jaat' arrogance. He stated:

"If I would have done Rang De Basanti, I would have come in a different league. I gave the audition and I liked it. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra would come to me, sometimes driving drunk, and he would ask me, 'Kar le kar le picture karle.' I asked him to drive safely. I wanted to do that film, but during that time, Ram Gopal Varma told me, 'I am thinking of casting you in the lead role in D, and you will go and stand behind Aamir in the poster.' Meri Jaat akad nikal aai and I said, 'I won't stand behind Aamir.' That happened, and I left Rock On for similar reasons."

Randeep Hooda on why his growth in the industry has been slow

In the same conversation, Randeep Hooda explained why he left career-defining projects for some small roles. He revealed that he had always worked with different sorts of directors and producers over industry insiders because he thought that his craft was enough. However, he soon realised that it was not. He was quoted as saying:

"So, I have always worked with a little different kind of filmmakers and producers and not with industry insiders. Maybe that's why my growth was slow. I used to think I was enough and that craft was everything, but that was not the case."

Rang De Basanti went on to become one of the most celebrated films in the film industry. It won several accolades including National Film Award for Best Popular Film and was chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars that year. It was also nominated for a BAFTA. On the other hand, D achieved moderate success. It was second film of Randeep's acting career after Monsoon Wedding. Nonetheless, Randeep found his footing has since delived some spectacular works and is currently seen in Sunny Deol's Jaat.

What are your thoughts on Randeep Hooda's revelations?

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