Actor. Director. Writer. Producer. On-screen shapeshifter.
Born on 20th August 1976, Randeep Hooda has built his reputation as one of the most versatile performers in Indian cinema. Known for his fearless choices and commitment to transformation, Hooda never shies away from putting his body, mind, and craft through extremes to bring authenticity to his characters.
On his birthday, let’s look at 6 unforgettable roles that showcase why Randeep Hooda is truly a chameleon of cinema.
1. Main Aur Charles (2015) – The Seductive Serial Killer
In this crime drama, Randeep transformed into the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj, also called the “Bikini Killer.” For the role, he didn’t just change his physical appearance by losing weight, but also adopted Charles’s mannerisms, charm, and speech patterns with chilling precision.
2. Sarbjit (2016) – The Wronged Prisoner
As Sarbjit Singh, an Indian man imprisoned in Pakistan for 22 years, Randeep delivered one of his most gut-wrenching performances. To embody Sarbjit’s frailty, Hooda lost 24 kgs in just 28 days just by starving. And he also worked upon his accent and diction by learning Punjabi language. The drastic transformation shocked audiences and proved his uncompromising dedication.
3. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (2024) – The Revolutionary
In this film, Randeep didn’t just play Vinayak Damodar Savarkar — he also produced, wrote, and directed the project. To depict the freedom fighter’s imprisonment and struggle, Hooda shed 36 kgs, a process so extreme it impacted his health. Yet, his portrayal was widely praised for its authenticity and intensity.
4. Jaat (2025) – The Menacing Gangster
Randeep’s Jaat, alongside Sunny Deol, saw him as the fearsome gangster Ranatunga. For Jaat, Randeep altered his physique by first putting on weight and then slimming down to fit the role’s younger phase during the same shoot and even worked on his voice modulation to radiate menace on screen. Fans and critics were buzzing about his terrifying transformation.
5. Highway (2014) – The Haunted Kidnapper
As Mahabir Bhati, a truck driver who kidnaps Alia Bhatt’s character, Randeep showcased that transformation isn’t always about the body. Randeep adopted a Gujjar dialect and incorporated rustic body language to authentically portray a rugged truck driver from Haryana. Though his physical prep was minimal compared to other roles, his deep dive into the psyche of a troubled man resulted in a raw, heartbreaking performance that resonated long after the credits rolled.
6. Extraction (2020) – The Soldier’s Spirit
In the Hollywood action-thriller Extraction, Randeep played Saju, a former Para Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. He trained rigorously, put on weight to match up to Chris Hemsworth, and for the first time in his career, grew long hair to embody the rugged soldier. His performance stood tall alongside Chris Hemsworth, earning international acclaim.
