Randeep Hooda Reveals Rejecting Aamir Khan’s Rang De Basanti Due To His ‘Jaat Akad’; Says, “Voh Agar Main Karta Toh…”

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Rang De Basanti continues to be hailed as a landmark film in Indian cinema, blending youth-driven energy with powerful socio-political messaging. But few know that actor Randeep Hooda was once considered for a pivotal role in the film. In a candid interview with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, Randeep revealed that he had been offered the role of Bhagat Singh—one he ended up turning down, a decision he now attributes to arrogance.

Randeep Hooda On Rejecting Rang De Basanti

Reflecting on that period, Randeep shared, “Had I done that film, I might have ended up in a different league.” He explained that after auditioning for the role, the team appreciated his performance, and director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra personally pursued him for the part. “He would come to me, sometimes driving drunk, asking me to do the film,” Randeep recalled.

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Despite his interest, Randeep admitted he was heavily influenced by the opinions of those close to him at the time—particularly his then-girlfriend and director Ram Gopal Varma (RGV). “My girlfriend didn’t show much interest in the role and advised me not to take up such a small part,” he said. “RGV told me, ‘I’m thinking of casting you as the lead in D, and you want to go stand behind Aamir on a poster?’ That’s when my Jaat arrogance kicked in, and I said no.”

He also revealed that he turned down Rock On!! for similar reasons and acknowledged that working largely with offbeat filmmakers and being away from the industry’s core may have slowed his career’s momentum. “I used to think that craft was everything—that I was enough. But that’s not how it works,” he admitted.

Rang De Basanti, which eventually starred Aamir Khan and a powerful ensemble cast, went on to become a generational classic.

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