Randeep Hooda on Kartik-Sara's 'Love Aaj Kal' failure: "Had I played the younger Raghu myself it might have.."

When Love Aaj Kal (2020) hit theatres, it carried the weight of a beloved predecessor and the expectations that come with a spiritual sequel. Despite Imtiaz Ali's signature romantic storytelling and a fresh cast, the film failed to connect with audiences and critics alike, earning a modest Rs 56.9 crore globally. In a candid conversation with Komal Nahta on his YouTube show Game Changers, Ali later admitted that the film suffered from being "too thick" in its themes and lacked the emotional clarity his earlier work had. He also acknowledged that while he had a new story to tell, the reason behind revisiting the Love Aaj Kal universe wasn't effectively communicated, particularly in the film's promotions. Interestingly, despite criticisms aimed at casting choices, the director clarified that casting wasn't the issue. Now actor Randeep Hooda who is currently promoting his film Jaat had a conversation with India Forums and shared his views on the same as he played a pivotal part in the film.

Q: Randeep, recently Imtiaz Ali talked about Love Aaj Kal. It's often said that an actor's journey is defined by their films, but in your case, it seems like your journey is defined by your characters, especially given the kind of diverse and impactful roles you've played. Raghu from Love Aaj Kal was one such character. Imtiaz sir recently admitted that he felt the film had some flaws and that perhaps he included too many themes at once. Do you agree with that, especially since you played Raghu?

Well, that's his point of view. He made the film, I just played a part in it. He would know better about such things. Personally, I was quite happy with my role. Sometimes, I do feel that had I played the younger Raghu myself, too, it might have had a stronger impact in the film. But beyond that, it's a filmmaker's medium, and that's what he felt, so that must be the truth.

- Randeep Hooda

Q: When we talk to actresses, many say that certain roles come to them or don't based on how they look. Since you've played characters across different timelines and appearances, I wanted to ask: Have you ever experienced something similar? Do male actors also face this kind of bias based on looks or physicality?

A: Absolutely. Especially in theatre, I used to face this a lot. That's probably why I started growing beards, gaining or losing weight basically trying all sorts of things. There used to be this belief that if you're good-looking, you're not a good actor. I struggled with that in the beginning of my career. So I tried to make myself look different so people could pat me on the back and say, "Yes, you're a good actor."

But cinema is a visual medium. So, the more you look the part, the more appealing you are to the audience within the context of that character. Physicality can vary greatly from one role to another. As long as you look right for the character, that plays a big part in the casting.

Watch FULL Interview here

Apart from this the actor also talked about how there is a possibility of sequel with Jaat and how his character has the layers that can get him into a franchise.

Jaat is an upcoming high-octane Hindi action thriller that marks the Bollywood directorial debut of Gopichand Malineni, best known for his successful ventures in South Indian cinema. Backed by powerhouse production banners Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, the film brings together an impressive ensemble cast. Leading the charge is Sunny Deol in the titular role of Jaat. Randeep Hooda steps into the shoes of the central antagonist, Ranatunga, promising a fierce face-off. The supporting cast features notable names like Vineet Kumar Singh, Saiyami Kher, Ramya Krishnan, and Jagapathi Babu, adding further depth to the narrative. Jaat is set for a theatrical release on April 10, 2025, where it will go head-to-head with Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly, setting the stage for a major box office showdown.