Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 22, 2015)
Randeep Hooda admits that he has turned over a new leaf. The actor now believes in associating with different kinds of people so that his work gets significance. He is happy that his forthcoming film, Main Aur Charles, where he plays serial killer Charles Sobhraj, is evoking curiosity amongst audiences. In a chat with Bombay Times, Randeep talks about his role and what inspires him to take up such films. Excerpts from the interview:
The trailer of Main Aur Charles begins with the sentence, 'It is good to be evil'. Do you connect with it?
There are always two sides of a man's personality and he's driven towards both. Every person has negative thoughts and we learn to control them most of the time. But, what if you can get away with it! What if you can break the grounds of morality and manipulate people? What if you can make them a part of your negative thoughts and get away? Here, evil is used in the context of not being absolutely dark; it also means being a little naughty.
Why have you always kept a low profile about your work?
I think it's a prerequisite. I like to approach my work that way. What I achieve in my life is between me and God and not for anyone else to know. It's a cliché to say my work should speak for itself, but I believe in it. In today's world, it's important to glorify your work. I think the least you can do is look the part and convince the audience about your performance in a film.
Many actors have to work hard towards getting subject-oriented roles. How have you managed to be so patient?
I started my career with a film called D, which was based on the life of Dawood Ibrahim. I've always been inclined towards doing subject-oriented roles. That Randeep Hooda has always been there. But I guess earlier, I wasn't garnering that kind of attention. I was doing one film at a time. Over a period of time, I realised and the industry made me understand that you have to team up with people. Without that support, your work will not have the same kind of significance. It matters to the media when you work with people of big stature. I've worked diligently, but a good association changes things for the better.
You had mentioned in an earlier interview that you believe Charles is innocent. Comment.
He has never been proven guilty in the court of law, so I guess that you are innocent till proven guilty. Even Nepal didn't have a proper trial for him. I think he is their star attraction (laughs).
Charles had a turbulent childhood as his parents had separated. You, too, have stayed away from your parents and spent most of your life with your maternal grandmother and in a hostel. In that aspect, are there similarities between Charles and you?
Yes, I've lived with my maternal grandmother, and I still lead my life the way I led it in a hostel. This helps me stay detached from my work. As an actor, the first thing you do when you approach a role is to find similarities between your character and you. When you shoot a movie, the crew becomes your family. You live in the present and while doing that, sometimes you become incommunicado. Also, I'm a very detached person at heart. I've never been on a holiday, my life is a holiday. I don't know why I should go on a vacation and get bored. I'm 39 years old, I enjoy riding my horses, doing my work and there is so much to be grateful for.
What kind of research did you do for the role?
The film is based on the incident narrated by officer Amod Kant and the charge sheet filed against Charles. When we did the research, everybody had a conflicting story. Our film is based on articles and his documentary footage that we saw. But, since we say a lot of things about a person within a short span of time, it had to be adapted from the original version. Prawaal Raman (director) and I became very much like Charles while making the film, and we have kept it as real as possible. The look is cosmetic and it can be achieved, but it's the thought process that is important as he is an enigma and we wanted to portray that.
Secondly, learning French was not very difficult because I've a knack for phonetics. In fact, speaking Gujari for Highway was difficult, because being a Haryanvi, I speak Jatu. I had to unlearn my laugh for Main Aur Charles. It was very hard as I have a big, hearty laugh in real life.
Charles was known as a bikini killer. Do you connect with his way of treating women?
I think he was unscrupulous about the way he used women. I don't do that. Charles would say something to them to get his way without meaning it, whereas I get stuck because I mean what I say to them.
You've never spoken about your relationships. Do you see yourself settling down in future?
I'm married to my job. Women are attracted to 'bad men' but I don't know if I have that 'bad' element. There are times when you feel you want to settle down as it will give you more stability, but I'm not too sure about it. I'll take the plunge only when I'm 70-80% sure. I don't want to subject other people to my eccentricities.
You have been comfortable with kissing and nudity in films. Yet, you have never got the 'serial kisser' tag. You must be happy about it?
Yes, I'm thankful that nobody has attached those tags with me. The easiest thing to do is to kiss a girl and I don't want to be known for that. I would rather be known for my performances. For instance, Rang Rasiya was such a beautiful story but it was trivialised for its kissing scenes.
Finally, what inspires you?
I'm happy when I'm preparing for my work and happier when someone chooses me because I could be the only one suitable for that particular role. I don't do a movie because I want a car or a flat. I enjoy my work.
The trailer of Main Aur Charles begins with the sentence, 'It is good to be evil'. Do you connect with it?
There are always two sides of a man's personality and he's driven towards both. Every person has negative thoughts and we learn to control them most of the time. But, what if you can get away with it! What if you can break the grounds of morality and manipulate people? What if you can make them a part of your negative thoughts and get away? Here, evil is used in the context of not being absolutely dark; it also means being a little naughty.
Why have you always kept a low profile about your work?
I think it's a prerequisite. I like to approach my work that way. What I achieve in my life is between me and God and not for anyone else to know. It's a cliché to say my work should speak for itself, but I believe in it. In today's world, it's important to glorify your work. I think the least you can do is look the part and convince the audience about your performance in a film.
Many actors have to work hard towards getting subject-oriented roles. How have you managed to be so patient?
I started my career with a film called D, which was based on the life of Dawood Ibrahim. I've always been inclined towards doing subject-oriented roles. That Randeep Hooda has always been there. But I guess earlier, I wasn't garnering that kind of attention. I was doing one film at a time. Over a period of time, I realised and the industry made me understand that you have to team up with people. Without that support, your work will not have the same kind of significance. It matters to the media when you work with people of big stature. I've worked diligently, but a good association changes things for the better.
You had mentioned in an earlier interview that you believe Charles is innocent. Comment.
He has never been proven guilty in the court of law, so I guess that you are innocent till proven guilty. Even Nepal didn't have a proper trial for him. I think he is their star attraction (laughs).
Charles had a turbulent childhood as his parents had separated. You, too, have stayed away from your parents and spent most of your life with your maternal grandmother and in a hostel. In that aspect, are there similarities between Charles and you?
Yes, I've lived with my maternal grandmother, and I still lead my life the way I led it in a hostel. This helps me stay detached from my work. As an actor, the first thing you do when you approach a role is to find similarities between your character and you. When you shoot a movie, the crew becomes your family. You live in the present and while doing that, sometimes you become incommunicado. Also, I'm a very detached person at heart. I've never been on a holiday, my life is a holiday. I don't know why I should go on a vacation and get bored. I'm 39 years old, I enjoy riding my horses, doing my work and there is so much to be grateful for.
What kind of research did you do for the role?
The film is based on the incident narrated by officer Amod Kant and the charge sheet filed against Charles. When we did the research, everybody had a conflicting story. Our film is based on articles and his documentary footage that we saw. But, since we say a lot of things about a person within a short span of time, it had to be adapted from the original version. Prawaal Raman (director) and I became very much like Charles while making the film, and we have kept it as real as possible. The look is cosmetic and it can be achieved, but it's the thought process that is important as he is an enigma and we wanted to portray that.
Secondly, learning French was not very difficult because I've a knack for phonetics. In fact, speaking Gujari for Highway was difficult, because being a Haryanvi, I speak Jatu. I had to unlearn my laugh for Main Aur Charles. It was very hard as I have a big, hearty laugh in real life.
Charles was known as a bikini killer. Do you connect with his way of treating women?
I think he was unscrupulous about the way he used women. I don't do that. Charles would say something to them to get his way without meaning it, whereas I get stuck because I mean what I say to them.
You've never spoken about your relationships. Do you see yourself settling down in future?
I'm married to my job. Women are attracted to 'bad men' but I don't know if I have that 'bad' element. There are times when you feel you want to settle down as it will give you more stability, but I'm not too sure about it. I'll take the plunge only when I'm 70-80% sure. I don't want to subject other people to my eccentricities.
You have been comfortable with kissing and nudity in films. Yet, you have never got the 'serial kisser' tag. You must be happy about it?
Yes, I'm thankful that nobody has attached those tags with me. The easiest thing to do is to kiss a girl and I don't want to be known for that. I would rather be known for my performances. For instance, Rang Rasiya was such a beautiful story but it was trivialised for its kissing scenes.
Finally, what inspires you?
I'm happy when I'm preparing for my work and happier when someone chooses me because I could be the only one suitable for that particular role. I don't do a movie because I want a car or a flat. I enjoy my work.
