A quarter of a century into his career, Randeep Hooda has come to measure his journey less by box-office verdicts and more by the lessons it has left him with. Success and failure, he believes, are fleeting, while the pursuit of artistic fulfilment remains constant. Recently seen in Inspector Avinash Season 2, the actor speaks candidly about commitment, external validation and why he believes the real race has always been with himself.‘I feel the only way to approach your work is by giving it your all’Giving everything to a role has never been a calculated decision for Randeep; it is simply the only way he knows how to work. He says, “I’ve always felt there’s no other way to approach your work except by giving it your all. Physical and emotional transformations are part and parcel of being an actor, and I enjoy that process. I don’t do anything extraordinary. I simply commit to the role completely. For me, that complete involvement is a joy, not a chore.”‘Success and failure are both fleeting’Over the years, Randeep has learnt not to judge his work solely by box-office outcomes. He says, “All of us want to put our best foot forward, but success depends on timing, release circumstances and the partners involved, and most of these factors are beyond an actor’s control. Every artiste wants their work to be seen by as many people. Box-office numbers simply mean that many people have seen the film. A strong theatrical run also gives you wings, allowing you to take on more projects you truly want to do. In that sense, your commitment is rewarded in more ways than just artistic satisfaction.”He elaborates, “If you become overly affected by box-office success or failure, awards or external validation, those things can start overshadowing why you began in the first place. Success and failure are both fleeting. You cannot let success go to your head, nor failure go to your heart. Of course, a successful film translates into more opportunities. But if the next one doesn’t work, you don’t change tracks. That constant movement, if sustained, is success in itself.”
Randeep Hooda as Inspector Avinash in Inspector Avinash Season 2. The actor says every role deserves complete commitment, describing physical and emotional transformations as “part and parcel” of the craft. Looking back on his career, he believes the real race has always been with himself
‘Popularity and bankability mean different things to different people’He admits that external factors also influence the way one navigates the industry, even if they are not the foundation of his choices. He says, “I’d be lying if I said you never work for reasons beyond pure creative alignment. Success, popularity and bankability mean different things to different people. Popularity, especially today, can be manipulated to a great extent. But success, for me, simply means doing what you set out to do and the kind of work you truly want to do. Over time, you realise that a day spent doing what you love is often more valuable than anything else, though financial reward matters too.”‘I wish I had worked more…’Reflecting on his journey, he says, “25 years may sound like a long time, but it has gone by in the blink of an eye. Like any journey, mine has seen ups and downs, with long stretches of not working, followed by equally long periods of intense work. I have always felt there is still so much more I can do if I apply myself better. Personally, I am not the same person I was 25 years ago. One keeps evolving because the real race is always with yourself, never with someone else.” Looking back, he sees a life shaped by far more than cinema alone. He says, “I was riding horses, winning medals, travelling across the country, spending time in nature, and eventually began a family life later than most. So yes, it has been a life full of experiences and learnings, all of which make me who I am today. That process hasn’t stopped. If anything, it has become even more conscious now.”Any regrets? Perhaps only one. “I wish I had worked more. I value that more now because time is precious and you want to spend it doing what you love. I only hope to continue being a student of life and of this art form, and to keep going beyond what I once thought was possible for myself,” he concludes.
