Randeep Hooda is an Indian actor who is known for his appreciable performances in Hindi movies. He had a fascination for the acting world since an early age and he started acting for school productions. He completed his studies in Melbourne, Australia and then returned to India to pursue a career in modelling and acting in theatres. Randeep Hooda stepped into Bollywood in the year 2001 with Mira Nair`s movie Monsoon Wedding. Despite of his good performance in the movie, he did not get a second project till four years. In addition to acting, he also has a keen interest in equestrian sports like show jumping and polo and also takes part professionally. Randeep Hooda also works as a social activist.

Early Life of Randeep Hooda
Randeep Hooda was born on 20th of August 1976 in Rohtak town of the state of Haryana, to a Jat family. His parents are Asha Hooda (a social worker) and Dr. Ranbir Hooda (a surgeon). Since childhood he was a student of Motilal Nehru School of Sports where he was actively involved in swimming and equestrian sports. He also won a number of medals at the national level. Afterwards he found himself fascinated with the acting world and began acting in school productions. After his schooling, in the year 1995, Randeep Hooda went to Melbourne to complete his graduation in marketing and post graduation in business management and human resource management. After his return to India in 2000 he started working in the marketing department of an airline. Subsequently he joined an amateur theatre of Delhi and also began modelling. When Hooda was having the rehearsals of his first play, director Mira Nair called him for the audition of her movie.

Career of Randeep Hooda
Randeep Hooda`s debut movie was Mira Nair`s Monsoon Wedding where he played the role of a non-resident Indian from Australia. Hooda got his second project after four years while in the meantime he worked in television commercials and theatres. In the year 2005, he was starred in Ram Gopal Verma`s movie D, in a lead role and received several positive reviews for his brilliant performance. After this, his journey as an actor gained pace and he worked in a number of movies including Darna Zaroori Hai, Ru Ba Ru, Karma Aur Holi and a few more.

The turning point in his career was brought about by Milan Luthria`s movie, "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai" where his performance gained critical acclamations. Following this, Hooda appeared in a romantic thriller by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster. The movie got many rare reviews. He further delivered splendid performances in movies like Jannat 2, Jism 2 and Heroine which earned him praises and accolades. Although the movies got a mixed response and did not do well in the box office, they definitely granted further momentum to Hodda`s career. In 2013, he was featured in Vishesh Bhatt`s Murder 3 and in the anthology film Bombay Talkies.

Randeep Hooda in Theatres
Since the initiation of his career, Randeep Hooda has an association with theatres. He is also an active member of the Motley Theatre Troupe which belongs to Naseeruddin Shah. He never quitted the world of theatres and remained a part of it even during his years in bollywood. He believes the theatres to be a reality check which keeps him grounded. He also believes that theatres also help in his evolution as a better actor. His immense love for theatres also inspired him to work as a writer and he made his theatrical debut as a writer in an adaptation of Lee Blessing`s A Walk in the Woods. The play was presented in an Indian context, directed by Ratna Pathak, and Naseerudin Shah appeared as an actor.

Randeep Hooda in Equestrian sports
Randeep Hooda is a professional player of equestrian sports including show jumping and polo. Brigadier Bishnoi and Colonel SS Ahalawat coached him in show-jumping and dressage. Horse riding is a passion for Hooda and he has six horses at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai. In December 2008 he suffered a severe ankle injury during a polo match in Mumbai for which he also underwent a surgery. However in the next year, Hooda bagged a silver medal at an open dressage event in Delhi organized by the Equestrian Federation of India. He has also participated at the equestrian events held in Delhi and Mumbai with the riders from Indian Army and has been the winner of several medals.

Columns and Blogs of Randeep Hooda
Randeep Hooda wrote as a guest contributor in "In The Script" column, which was published by Asian Correspondent in 2009. In the column he discussed about the violence against Indians in Australia controversy. He shared his experience of the racial discrimination while he was in Australia. In the year 2011, he started to write a blog in the Hindustan Times where he interacts and shares his experiences with his fans.

Randeep Hooda as a Social Activist
Randeep Hooda also works as a social activist. He along with Jackky Bhagnani walked the ramp in a charity show for Kapil Dev`s NGO, Khushi, for the improvement of poor communities in India in 2010. Hooda helped in arousing public awareness of chronic hunger in the country in the following year. He was also a part of an anti-suicide initiative with Nishikant Kamath, Mahesh Bhupati, Rahul Bose and Imtiaz Ali in December 2012, where he spoke to the local students and parents.

Achievements of Randeep Hooda
In the year 2011, Randeep Hooda won Lions Gold Awards for the movie Once Upon a Time in Mumbai as the Favourite Actor in a Supporting Role.

Filmography of Randeep Hooda