For his role of the cleansing cop in Risk, Randeep Hooda went on a vigorous physical preparation to play the cop. He also modeled his role on "encounter specialist" Daya Nayak.
Says Randeep, "I've always admired Mr Daya Nayak. Picture mein nayak hum hain, real–life Nayak wohhain. I got access to him through mutual friends. I always felt he had the personality that was required for the character. I love the way he handles.
His job and how articulate he is in the media and in his personal interaction. Daya and I became friends. He shared his experiences and also demonstrated certain behaviour traits which I incorporated into my cop's character. Through my interactions with Mr Nayak I discovered a new-found respect him."
However Randeep didn't adopt Daya Nayak's body language or his other overt traits. "Not that I lost weight or decided to look lean and mean. Why should a cop look a particular way? But as a cop I definitely needed to feel strong from inside, a man who's capable of shouldering a huge social responsibility.
And it's always advisable for an actor to have the broadest shoulder possible in order to carry the film. This cop isn't like other famous cops who fight an indignant battle against the system. This cop is less clichéd. He knows there's no point in trying to change the system.
You gotta do what you gotta do within the restrictions given to you. But let me add I'm a great fan of the great cops on screen, like Mr Bachchan in Zanjeer, Om Puri in Ardh Satya and Manoj Bajpayi in Shool.
See, I play a guy who is the way he is, not because of his uniform. He'd have wanted to do the same things even if he wasn't a cop, though he'd probably not have the power to do so."
And Mohit Ahlawat in Shiva? " No I wouldn't go that far," Randeep deadpans. "Not that I had any quibbles with Ramuji and Mohit's interpretation of the cops film. Every one has an opinion… and an arse-hole."
Did Randeep do a cop in Risk because he couldn't do Shiva? "Absolutely not! Me and my Risk director Vishram Sawant planned it long before I did D with Ramuji. Risk has got nothing to do with anything else. As far as the genre goes Risk will be compared with other cops films.
Look, there're actually four kinds of stories in films…a love story between two people, a love story among three people, a revenge story, and a journey… How you put your soul into these genres makes all the difference."
Randeep is definitely excited about shouldering the entire responsibility as the cop on thr prowl in Risk. "It's not a rule to play the central character. In my very first film Monsoon Wedding I was part of a large ensemble cast."
He clarifies that this isn't a story of Daya Nayak's life. "Our movie isn't based on his life, like Shimit Amin's Ab Tak Chappan. Risk is a fast-paced commercial film with all the ingredients."
What Randeep really relished in Risk was working with Vinod Khanna. "I've been a fan of his ever since I was a child. Although he plays the antagonist in Risk there's a calm energy about Vinod Khanna. Many of my folks back home in Rohtak find him really hot. It was an honour to share screen space with this actor."
Randeep's erstwhile mentor is re-making Sholay. Randeep's take? "I've no comments on Ramuji's remake. Well, remakes have been done in the West. I'm sure Indian filmmakers would like to re-interpret old hits. …though I can't see how you can improve on a film that's already a big hit.
I'd like to be in a remake that's already been done, or one that I can carry forward. I'd love to do Scarface which has earlier been done by greats like Paul Muni, Al Pacino and Mr Bachchan (in Agneepath)."
Says Randeep, "An actor is raw material mouldable in other's hand. After the break from Mr Varma I've continued to grow as an actor. I didn't deliberately break away. It was destiny. Risk is a new start, in a way. And I carry the film. So it's a challenging responsibility."
As for his second English-language film… "I'm a bit curious about Karma Confessions & Holy because it is my first international film since Monsoon Wedding. And since I'm not in the habit of running to the monitor after every shot I wonder what they've actually made.
Monsoon Wedding was my first film, and I was dreading to see the end-result. That I was surrounded by a stellar cast didn't help my confidence level. Now I've slightly accepted myself on screen. Though the search for a core in my characters continues. At the end of a film I'm still dissatisfied.
At the end of the day an actor is only a cog in the wheel. But experience helps. I've done six films in six years. That's meager output. But I've learnt a lot. The movie experience is truly magical. I'm growing as a person. I'm losing my ignorance, becoming more humble."
On a more personal note Randeep is blissfully single. "We're always single, aren't we? I'm very happy being on my own. I'm a young normal single man of 30. And I don't have to worry where my next meal comes from.
So I've a lot of time to socialize in a buzzing city like Mumbai. So what's wrong with being seen with beautiful women? However all women who want a permanent place in my life can apply through my secretary."
On his Risk co-starTanushree Dutta, Randeep says, "She's a very hard-working young woman, bound to go far…Not just Tanushree everyone else in the unit was so committed to the project. That's the only way to make a good film."
