Randeep Hooda opens up on winning National Award for directorial debut `Swatantra Veer Savarkar`
Speaker 1: Uh, the transition was very difficult. Um, to be a storyteller is far more difficult than just being an actor. An actor tells a story of a character, but the director tells a whole story in which the character is a part of it. Um, I wrote it also, so writing, directing, and acting, I think writing was the most liberating, and directing was the most difficult, but direction is also the most complete art form. There are many, many art forms.
Speaker 1: comes come together and I'm very grateful that I I have been able to get it. 25 years I've been working very hard as an actor and I have never received much award like recognition though I've got a lot of love from my audience. but to then sit there and get it as a director. It's it's a very overwhelming feeling and you know national awards are special because the president of India gives it to you. And yeah it's
Speaker 1: it's a good pat on the back. When you don't get you know, recognition from awards and such, you learn how to pat your own back. But this is a big pat and I think it's a great encouragement for me to do more as a director and as an actor as well. Acting is my first love. But
Speaker 1: Direction can make you feel like God.
Speaker 2: You know when I met with you earlier, I asked you will you direct again because aapne apna dil, jaan, paisa sab laga diya tha is film mein, right? It was not easy. But now you are a national award winner, like I am asking you again, will you direct again?
Speaker 1: Uh, last time when I finished direction, I said I'll never go into direct a movie, uh, because it was so, so tough, uh, being an individual player, uh, as an actor to become a team player, team captain as, as, as a director. I thought I'll never do it, but, um,
Speaker 1: It is addictive to do to create everything in a frame and guide people's emotions and tell a story. So I will be directing also besides acting. I have written two scripts and I'm looking forward to reaching a point where I can put them in production but till then acting will always always remain my first love.
Speaker 2: It's a good news for the fans.
Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I don't know, but it's good news for me because I think, uh,
Speaker 1: Living another person's thoughts is something which is, which is very, it is one of the best things that I could ever do.
Speaker 2: Randeep, if you could go back in time and if you remember the moment when you were starting out in this industry, what do you have to tell the little Randeep about this moment?
Speaker 1: Hmm
Speaker 1: It will happen if you keep at it. Just don't quit, be on time, turn up with ideas and um
Speaker 1: be enthusiastic. There is nothing called talent in the world, it's only enthusiasm. I've always been enthusiastic. I will just tell him that learn more people skills because ultimately you're working with people, not with the art.
Speaker 2: Absolutely. And itna pyara saal chal raha hai, ghar mein Lakshmi bhi aayi hai. It's a lady love ek ghar mein.
Speaker 1: Yeah
Speaker 1: Well, you see, my daughter has brought me a lot of luck, I guess. Uh, but these are my two big rewards for 2026. One is the birth of my daughter and the other this award, and there is still some months to go, so I don't know what 2026 holds for me more.
Speaker 2: Good luck. Thank you for speaking. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much
