Swatantrya Veer Savarkar released on 22nd March

Alia was this girl from Juhu who had not seen much of the world: Randeep

She used to be terrified of me, I made sure of that: Randeep

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar which was released on 22nd March has been directed by Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda and also features him in the titular role. He went through an intense physical transformation and weight loss to fit into the role. 

He has however had such commitment to his roles in the past as well. Speaking to Humans Of Bombay, he recollected shooting for Highway with Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt. “I didn’t speak to Alia for 20-25 days when we shot for Highway. She was this girl from Juhu who had not seen much of the world; she didn’t have much exposure. So, to keep her fear of my character in place…she used to be terrified of me. I made sure of that. I never spoke to her. She wouldn’t come to sit next to me either. That’s the effect we wanted in the movie,” Randeep said. 

He also established contact with serial killer Charles Sobraj for his movie Main Aur Charles. “I grew close to Sarabjit’s sister through filming. We stayed in touch till she passed away. She wanted me to light her funeral pyre, and I did. She was a great woman, she looked after her brother’s children, whom I talk to. Similarly, I was in touch with Charles Sobhraj also. He used to call, video call and message me from jail in Nepal and I was like, Charles, you are a wanted criminal, stop calling me,” Randeep recollected.