Randeep Hooda

Randeep Singh Hooda, known for his role as Saju in Netflix's original film Extraction, was born on 20th August 1976 in the city of Rohtak, Haryana, in India. He has lived in Middle Eastern countries like Libya and Iraq.

Acting Career: Hooda's debut film was Mira Nair's Oscar-nominated Monsoon Wedding. It won multiple awards globally, including a BAFTA and Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. After Monsoon Wedding, Hooda joined noted Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah's theater troupe Motley, and dedicated many years of his life to theater in an attempt to immerse himself in the craft. Hooda's filmography is studded with both Mira Nair's and Deepa Mehta's films, who coincidentally were the only two directors from India to have gotten Oscar nominations in recent times. In 2005, Hooda was cast as the male lead in Ram Gopal Varma's gangster film D.

In 2010, Hooda appeared in Milan Luthria's 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai'. The following year, Hooda featured in a National Award-winner, Tigmanshu Dhulia's romantic thriller 'Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster'. His portrayal of a gangster who falls in love with a married woman while working as her driver earned rave reviews from critics. In 2012, he starred in Kunal Deshmukh's crime thriller 'Jannat 2', followed by Pooja Bhatt's erotic thriller 'Jism 2' opposite international adult star Sunny Leone. In 2013, he starred in Vishesh Film's 'Murder 3'. Later that year, Hooda acted in yet another National Award-winner, Ketan Mehta's biographical period film 'Rang Rasiya', based on the life of 19th-century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. He also featured in the thriller 'John Day', alongside Naseeruddin Shah. He then appeared in a segment directed by Karan Johar for the anthology film 'Bombay Talkies'. The film was made as a celebration of the 100th year of Indian cinema and was screened at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. In 2014, Hooda appeared opposite Alia Bhatt in Imtiaz Ali's 'Highway'. To get used to his character, who was a kidnapper and had a cold, distant relationship with Bhatt's character, he avoided speaking to her for about twenty-five days. He then starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action film 'Kick', which emerged as the biggest blockbuster that year.

In 2015, Hooda portrayed serial killer Charles Sobhraj in Prawaal Raman's Main Aur Charles. In 2016, Hooda starred in four films. The first was a drama thriller, Laal Rang. 'Sarabjit', was his next release, where he portrayed the role of Sarabjit Singh, who was captured by Pakistan and later sentenced to death by their Supreme Court for alleged terrorism. Hooda dramatically shed 30 kg to play a boxer then and gained 20 kg for the preparation of the role to play a prisoner, all in just a year's time. This feat drew awe and accolades from the film industry and critics alike. The film also premiered at the 69th Cannes Film Festival.

Hooda's next release was Deepak Tijori's 'Do Lafzon Ki Kahani'. His final release of 2016 was the sports drama 'Sultan'. In 2018, he returned to the silver screen again with 'Baaghi 2'. Due to his spiritually immersive approach towards his roles, Hooda has dedicated years to preparing for his characters and has also, on occasion, refused to leave the character behind. From 2016 to 2018 he dedicated himself to an unfinished film, "Battle of Saragarhi", about a Sikh character, where he grew his beard, hair and he refused to cut them as a devout Sikh and rejected further roles until that movie got finished. The film, which was based on the bravest last stands in human history, got eventually shelved.

It was during this time that he auditioned for Extraction, a Netflix production with the Russo Brothers. Extraction marks Hooda's debut into mainstream, commercial Hollywood and his first Netflix original film. He has garnered critical for his role of Saju. He is engaged with the following films:

1. Extraction, with Chris Hemsworth in the lead by Russo Brothers. 2. Radhe, as the antagonist, with Salman Khan in the main lead, work in progress. 3. Love Aaj Kal 2 in the lead role (released on 14th February 2020) where his work has been appreciated both among the public and industry fraternity. 4. Rat on a Highway, a single actor motion picture directed by Vivek Chauhan. 5. Mira Nair's film "A Suitable Boy", in a cameo appearance. 6. 'Unfair & lovely' as a lead role directed by Balwinder Singh.

Equestrian Sports: Randeep Hooda is the only Bollywood actor who regularly participates in professional equestrian sports, including polo and show jumping. He has always described riding as his "passion". He owns nine horses.

In 2009, Hooda won a silver medal at an open dressage event organized by the Equestrian Federation of India in Delhi. In 2014, he won seven medals, including three gold and two silver and bronze medals respectively, at the National Equestrian Championship in dressage and show-jumping events. Additionally, he has won a silver medal each at the Delhi Horse Show in 2009, and the Bombay Horse Show in 2011.

Social Activism: During the 2018 devastating Kerala floods, Hooda stood on ground zero in Kerala and provided relief work in person. He kept it under wraps till a local channel recognized him and put out a clip on twitter. The news then went on to become viral. He is the brand ambassador for Prayas, another NGO that rehabilitates delinquent juveniles. Hooda is very active in raising funds for them and often organizes and features in their fund raising campaigns. He has recently taken up the cause of tiger conservation and hopes to bring about a change in the human-animal conflict areas in India, which is the biggest cause of plummeting populations of big cats across the globe. Hooda got appointed by the United Nations Environment Program as ambassador for aquatic migratory species on 5th February 2020.