For an actor who was once reeling with as many as half a dozen stuck films, Randeep Hooda has finally managed to break his jinx. Shrugging off his past and moving on to much better future, Randeep is pretty much set for his second innings.
"For years in successions, it was a period of high dissent and dissatisfaction for Randeep. He was being written about more for his personal life and affairs than the actual worth. The fact that his films were either on making it to theatres or were stuck for eternity only made things worse", says an insider while making reference to films Ru Ba Ru, Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye, Karma, Confessions and Holi and Love Khichdi.
While Rang Rasiya and Kusar Prasad Ka Bhoot continue to be stuck in cans, the turnaround came for Randeep once he was seen as a cop in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. With Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster and Jannat 2 doing well at the box office and also finding him good critical acclaim, he found attention from other filmmakers.
"It was Bhatts who made the first strike. After Jism 2, they roped him on for Murder 3. In fact Mahesh Bhatt has pretty much made it clear that Emraan Hashmi's absence won't hurt them much as Randeep would be there to fill the slot", adds a source.
However the biggest turnaround has come with Sajid Nadiadwala taking a leap of faith and roping him in as a male solo lead for Imtiaz Ali's Highway. Not just that, as Karan Johar has trusted him to deliver goods for Rensil D'Silva's Ungli.
"Not many actors get an opportunity to see a career turnaround after being around for a decade but Randeep has managed that", says a prominent filmmaker, "For long since Monsoon Wedding he was just waiting for a right opportunity and now with the likes of Bhatts, Nadiadwala and KJo putting their money on him, he has to justify their faith. He has to grab his chances with both hands."
Jodha Akbar
10