Randeep Hooda ACTOR TRAVELLER WITH A PURPOSE

In a candid conversation, actor Randeep Hooda tells CHIRAG MOHANTY SAMAL about his efforts to protect wildlife and their habitats, and why he wants to visit lesser-known national parks in the country.

-  CHIRAG MOHANTY SAMAL

There’s a lot of buzz around Swantatra Veer Savarkar, for which you lost 15 kilos to play the character. How was your experience of working in the movie?

The experience has been a consuming one. I did not know a lot about Veer Savarkar, but I learnt while preparing for the character, so it has been an enlightening journey. I had to lose weight to play the young Savarkar and I am now 18 kilos down. I have been deeply involved with the character and I am absolutely fascinated with his (Savarkar’s) life.

How does travel impact you as an actor?

Jim Morrison once said: ‘There are only two ways to unravel, one is to sleep and other is to travel’. And I try to do a lot of both. Travelling gives you a larger perspective of life. You realise that you are a drop in the ocean and your problems, though not similar, are shared by many. And acting is basically understanding this perspective and putting it to use.

One of the perks of being an actor is that you get to travel a lot. Tell us about some of the exotic places you discovered on the job.