Randeep Hooda recently shared his perspective on the recognition garnered by his co-star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for their collaboration in ‘Sarbjit’. Despite his notable performance in the film, Hooda reflected on the disparity in accolades received, shedding light on whether he felt marginalized or aggrieved.
Renowned for his diverse roles in movies such as ‘Highway’, ‘Extraction’, and ‘Jism 2’, Randeep Hooda’s portrayal in ‘Sarbjit’ stood out significantly, leaving a lasting impact on audiences. Currently, he is venturing into directing with his upcoming biopic, ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’.
‘Sarbjit’, directed by Omung Kumar, delves into the life of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer imprisoned by the Pakistani military on charges of terrorism and espionage, eventually succumbing to captivity after two decades.
Hooda and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan delivered compelling performances, captivating viewers with their on-screen presence.
When questioned about his sentiments regarding Aishwarya Rai’s numerous accolades for ‘Sarbjit’, while his own contributions were seemingly overlooked, Hooda articulated a nuanced perspective. He emphasized the futility of measuring one’s worth solely through awards, expressing contentment for Rai’s achievements and refraining from fostering a sense of entitlement. Hooda maintained that dwelling on perceived injustices would be unproductive and opted instead to focus on personal growth and resilience.
Firstly, as an artist, if you are gauging your worth on the basis of how many awards you’ve won, it’s not going to be very helpful. The recognition that you get from your fraternity can be encouraging, but all I can say is that I’m happy for Aishwarya that she won, even though I didn’t. To now complain that I deserved it more would be unbecoming. If people say it, that’s a victory in itself.”
Despite acknowledging his initial disappointment, Randeep Hooda disclosed his reluctance to dwell on the matter, choosing instead to navigate past grievances and remain steadfast in his artistic journey.
I’ve never indulged in this kind of talk, because it would seem like a case of sour grapes. Did I feel bad? Of course I did. But it’s not like the world ended. You move on to the next thing. But as an actor and filmmaker, if I give others this much control about my own self-image, I would’ve been done a long time ago.”
He underscored the importance of not relinquishing control over one’s self-image to external validation, thereby demonstrating a commitment to personal integrity and professional evolution.
In an earlier interview, Randeep Hooda provided insights into his collaborative experience with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on ‘Sarbjit’. While praising Rai’s dedication and professionalism, he also hinted at the challenges in achieving authenticity in her portrayal, despite concerted efforts from the production team.
“She was great, very courteous, she does her job well. She’s all there, she’s very sincere about it. Although we didn’t have many interactions on set because a lot of my scenes were away from her, but whenever we did, she was all that she’s made out to be. They tried their best to make her look real, but she’s so unreal.”
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Randeep Hooda’s reflections shed light on the complexities of recognition in the film industry, emphasizing the need for resilience and self-assurance amidst perceived disparities.
