Randeep Hooda has carved a distinct niche for himself as a powerful action star—whether in Bollywood or on global platforms like Netflix’s Extraction. In a candid new interview, the actor opened up about the contrasting worlds of Indian and international action cinema, the reverence surrounding stars like Salman Khan and Sunny Deol, and what it was like going punch-for-punch with Chris Hemsworth. From on-set revelations to personal friendships, Randeep offers a rare look behind the stunts and superstardom.In a recent interview with Mid-Day, Randeep shared his experience of working with iconic stars like Sunny Deol and Salman Khan, noting that action sequences are often tailored to suit their strong on-screen personas. He reflected on how their presence alone makes the action feel believable.The actor also spoke about the distinct charm of actors who rose to fame before the internet era, pointing out that unlike today’s stars—whose every move is visible on social media—veterans like Sunny and Salman built a larger-than-life image that still commands attention. It’s that old-school stardom, he said, that he tries to channel in his own performances.He further highlighted the contrasting approaches to action between Bollywood and Hollywood. He explained that stars like Sunny Deol and Salman Khan are at a stage in their careers where the action is crafted specifically around their personas, rather than them adapting to pre-set choreography. In contrast, he pointed out that Hollywood actors like John Cena and Chris Hemsworth follow a more disciplined process, often dedicating weeks to rehearsals.Randeep noted that this extensive preparation lends authenticity to their performances. He also reflected on how the cultural pedestal Indian male stars are placed on can sometimes come at the cost of that grounded realism seen more often in the West.When Hooda began filming Extraction in 2019 alongside Chris Hemsworth, he had a moment of reckoning. Despite playing intense and tough characters for nearly two decades, he realised he had never actually thrown a punch on screen. The long action sequence in the film made him confront that gap—prompting him to learn the technicalities of both delivering and receiving punches. He likened the process to dance, where choreography and precision are key, and admitted that it made him reassess his earlier work with a fresh perspective.Randeep will soon reunite with Extraction director Sam Hargrave for the latter’s action adventure comedy Matchbox, which also stars John Cena. It’s slated to release in cinemas next year. Randeep recently locked horns with Sunny Deol in Jaat, whereas he’s worked with Salman Khan in three films so far — Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kick (2014), Ali Abbas Zafar’s Sultan (2016), and Prabhu Deva’s Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai (2021).He also shared that Salman has become a close friend over the years. He described him as intelligent, creative, and somewhat isolated in recent times. Randeep also acknowledged that Salman has often offered him sincere advice—especially about being kind and helpful to others—even though he hasn’t always followed it. Still, he believes Salman’s guidance comes from a place of genuine care and goodwill.
