Randeep Hooda
Randeep Hooda
20.08.1976 (48 gadi) (Rohtak, Haryana, India)
Randeep Hooda (pronounced [rɳd̪iːp huːɖaː]; born 20 August 1976) is an Indian actor and equestrian. Best known for his work in the Hindi film industry, he is the recipient of accolades such as two Stardust Awards and a nomination each for the Filmfare and the International Indian Film Academy Awards. Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Hooda studied at the Motilal Nehru School of Sports, where he began acting in school productions. He later pursued a postgraduate degree in human resource management in Melbourne, Australia, and on his return to India began modelling and acting in theatre productions. He made his Hindi film debut with Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding (2001). However, little recognition came his way and he went on appeared in a spate of critically and commercially unsuccessful projects including D (2005) and Karma Aur Holi (2009) A turning point in his career came when Hooda starred in the commercially successful Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010), and was subsequently noted for his performance in Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), which earned him an IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination. His starring roles in thrillers Jannat 2 (2012) and Jism 2 (2012) sustained him success at the box-office as he continued to garner praise for his performances in such films as the road drama Highway (2014) and the biopics Rang Rasiya (2014) and Sarbjit (2016). In addition to his film career, Hooda has acted in numerous stage plays and had made his debut as a playwright with an adaptation of Lee Blessing's A Walk in the Woods. He is also a professional equestrian who regularly participates in polo, show jumping and dressage events. He won a silver medal at an open dressage event in New Delhi that was organised by the Equestrian Federation of India.