Did you know? Randeep Hooda rejected Rang De Basanti and Rock On: ‘I won’t stand behind Aamir.’

Randeep Hooda is not someone known for mincing his words. In his latest interviews, the actor has been speaking his heart out with refreshing honesty, avoiding the usual diplomatic responses. While promoting his upcoming film Jaat, Randeep has opened up about various aspects of his journey — from not being supported by the industry during his Hollywood outing Extraction, to being sidelined during the promotions of Highway, despite playing a pivotal role. The actor has now revealed why he rejected Rang De Basanti, and the story behind it is quite revealing.

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The Missed Chance: Rang De Basanti

For those unaware, Randeep Hooda was initially offered the role of Bhagat Singh in Rang De Basanti, a significant part that eventually went to Siddharth. The role was second only to Aamir Khan’s in terms of prominence. Although Randeep had auditioned and was liked by director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, he turned the offer down. Why? Because Ram Gopal Varma had offered him the lead role in his film D, and Hooda didn’t want to be seen standing "behind Aamir Khan on the poster" of Rang De Basanti. Meanwhile, watch Churails and Dhoop Ki Deewar on Zee5 for your monthly dose of Pakistani dramas.

Speaking to Shubhankar Pandey, the Swatantrya Veer Savarkar star said: “If I had done Rang De Basanti, I would have entered a different league. I gave the audition and I liked it. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra would come to me, sometimes driving drunk, and he would say, ‘Kar le, kar le picture kar le.’ I told him to drive safely.”

He continued: “I wanted to do that film, but at the time, Ram Gopal Varma said to me, ‘I’m thinking of casting you in the lead role in D, and you want to go stand behind Aamir on a poster?’ Meri Jaat akad nikal aayi (My Jaat arrogance came out), and I said, ‘I won’t stand behind Aamir.’ That happened… and I left Rock On too for similar reasons.”

A Career of Offbeat Choices

Randeep further reflected on why he chose niche films over mainstream, career-defining roles: “I’ve always worked with different kinds of filmmakers and producers — not with industry insiders. Maybe that’s why my growth was slow. I used to think I was enough, and that craft is everything. But that’s not really the case.”

Despite his unconventional choices, Randeep Hooda remains one of the most intense and respected performers in the industry today.

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