'Jaat akad. I won't stand behind Aamir Khan': Why Randeep Hooda rejected 'Rang De Basanti'

Actor Randeep Hooda recently opened up about one of the biggest regrets of his career—turning down a role in the critically acclaimed 2006 film Rang De Basanti. During an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Hooda revealed that director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra had offered him the role of Bhagat Singh, which he declined, citing personal ego and arrogance as the reasons.

“If I would have done Rang De Basanti, I would have come in a different league,” Hooda said. “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 kar le.’ I asked him to drive safely.”

Ram Gopal Varma's Influence and Personal Choices

Hooda’s decision to walk away from Rang De Basanti was largely influenced by filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who at the time promised him a lead role in D. According to Hooda, Varma questioned why he would accept a small role when he had a chance to lead a film.

“RGV told me, ‘I’m thinking of casting you in the lead role in D, and you want to go stand behind Aamir in the poster?’ Meri Jaat akad nikal aayi, and I said, ‘I won’t stand behind Aamir.’ That happened, and I also left Rock On for similar reasons.”

Hooda acknowledged that his arrogance and preference for working with non-mainstream filmmakers led to slower growth in the industry. “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 am enough and that craft is everything but it is not the case,” he said.

About Rang De Basanti and Its Legacy

Released in 2006, Rang De Basanti became a cultural phenomenon. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the film featured Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Soha Ali Khan, Atul Kulkarni, and Alice Patten. It told the story of a British filmmaker who comes to India to make a documentary on freedom fighters and ends up inspiring a group of university students to take a stand against corruption.

The film was honored with the National Film Award for Best Popular Film and became India’s official entry for the Oscars. It was also nominated for a BAFTA in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The role of Bhagat Singh, originally offered to Hooda, was eventually played by Siddharth.

Randeep Reflects on Missed Opportunities

Hooda’s career choices, particularly his decision to avoid working with mainstream insiders, may have cost him wider recognition. He admitted to missing out on public appreciation, especially for his performance in Highway. “I feel people feel threatened, and I didn’t get appreciation from the film fraternity for any role — and I don’t need it after a point. I’m doing my work and trying to better myself, not compete with anyone,” he said.

He continued, “I don’t know why people didn’t appreciate me publicly, but I’m not sad about it. When they meet me, they meet nicely and they call me, but they don’t talk about it publicly. It happened during Highway too. I got many calls, but no one spoke about that role publicly. I also didn’t get any big award for acting.”

Randeep Hooda in 'Jaat'

Randeep Hooda is currently starring in Jaat, an action thriller directed by Gopichand Malineni. The film also features Sunny Deol, Regina Cassandra, and Saiyami Kher, with Hooda playing a villainous role. His performance has garnered praise and continues to highlight his versatility as an actor.

Even though he passed on Rang De Basanti, Hooda has carved out a distinct place for himself in Indian cinema. Still, he openly acknowledges the turning point that never was—a role that could have changed everything.