A masterclass in self-love! – The Tribune

When Randeep Hooda walks into the hall, the energy shifts. Not that he’s big or bulky, but there is sincerity, an energy hard to miss. Talking at Cinevesture International Film Festival on Thursday, Randeep, during an unbridled talk, summed up his introduction to films and becoming an actor, director and producer.

Dressed in a fancy white and greyish blue suit with white sneakers, shades in place, he gave the audience some hearty laughs and a masterclass in self-love! He talked about how his nani took him to see Chandrawal in theatres for the first time. “My nani was an ardent fan. She didn’t know English but would watch Bold and Beautiful in English twice, everyday.”

The actor, who burst on the scene with Monsoon Wedding, has since then wowed audience with remarkable body transformations. While he sure was enjoying being the actor, circumstances forced him to becoming a director. He explains, “Being an actor is being a jamai, everybody is asking you juice lo ji, sab theek hai ji, phoopha ji naraaz to nahi ho jayenge. The director, on the other hand, is ladki ka pita.” Not than being in the latter’s position made him change his stance!

“When I started Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, for the first four hours my unit did their things, saying the new director doesn’t know. They were shooting scenes that were not even in the film.” But soon, he came into his form, barking instructions and that’s how the film was made! “Not a man to go and see himself on the big screen, he did watch Savarkar! “People stood up in applause as they do in a play, which was remarkable.”

However, life has not been a bed of roses. He admitted how he let go of films like Rang De Basanti and is candid enough to share his reasons. “I was launched in D and my mentor then said, ‘Tu Aamir Khan ke peeche poster main ayega’ and my Haryanvi buddhi let go of a project like that. There are many others examples.”

Randeep’s toughest times have been when he prepped for Saragarhi. For three years he kept his kesh, trained 20 others in horse-riding and sword-fighting, but the film was shelved, robbing him of his dreams. “The film didn’t see the light of the day due to chal kapat and that is going to be my biggest regret.”

His next is an action film, which he’s writing and will produce and direct. “In want of a good actor, I have decided to cast myself,” he flashes his infectious smile, winning another round of applause.

Acing all challenges

Filmmaker Honey Trehan opened up on his struggle with the release of Punjab ’95. Through the title change, over 120 cuts and then problems in international release, Trehan shared on Thursday, “Give me a reason for not letting it release; it is acknowledged by law. Threats to my producer by higher authorises is no way. Where is the freedom of expression?” But not the one to succumb to challenges, Trehan says, “I have made the film for people and will make sure everybody gets to watch this.”