Randeep Hooda who made his Bollywood debut with Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding will have a sweet taste of the past when he shares screen space with Naseeruddin Shah — just like he did in his first film. It was a decade ago that the two actors came together for Nair’s film and since then the two have been associated with each other through plays and theatre initiatives. Randeep has been a part of Shah’s theatre group Motley as an actor for a while now. But this time around, they will be seen sharing screen space in their second film John Day, being directed by debutant director Ahishor Solomon.
Randeep admits that he is rather fortunate for having the opportunity to work with Shah so closely. “In John Day he’s not the director but a co-actor. It makes all the difference. Working with him as an actor, you have to have a friendly rapport and at the same time follow the director’s orders. It’s different when he’s the director. The relationship enters a more formal sphere,” says Randeep.
He says that the thespian is a master in all the aspects of the art. “What can I say about his acting? He’s simply magical. I have been lucky to have done two plays with him as an actor. He is the epitome of acting for all Indans. He has directed me in two plays and it’s been an absolutely wonderful journey. He’s an autocratic director and in lighter moments, a democratic one. But always a pleasure to work with,” concludes Randeep.