Randeep Hooda, known for captivating performances across Indian and Hollywood cinema, shared fresh insight into the distinct ways action is conceptualized for stars like Salman Khan in Bollywood compared to the practices of Western film industries. In a new interview, Hooda delved into how Salman Khan action sequences in Bollywood are intentionally constructed to elevate the superstar’s persona, while Hollywood action prioritizes realistic execution through rigorous preparation.
Having worked with acclaimed names such as Sunny Deol and Salman Khan in India, and Chris Hemsworth and John Cena in Hollywood, Hooda offers a unique perspective shaped by his career on both continents. His reflections shed light on the behind-the-scenes forces shaping modern screen action and the idea of stardom itself, especially as he transitions between vastly different creative traditions.
Contrasting Approaches: Crafting Stardom Through Action
Randeep Hooda’s experience alongside Salman Khan in films like “Kick,” “Sultan,” and “Radhe,” as well as his on-screen rivalry with Sunny Deol in “Jaat,” has provided him significant acquaintance with the norms of Indian cinema’s action. He observed that action sequences are choreographed not only to showcase drama but also to amplify the legendary status of stars. According to Hooda, this tradition exists to make actors appear larger-than-life, matching audience expectations of their favorite heroes.
Explaining this phenomenon, Hooda stated,
“The action is designed around them (Sunny Deol and Salman Khan). They’re both great. When you see them, you feel they can do it… They’re stars before the advent of the internet. They were rare commodities. Now, you know what every star is doing or eating, it’s all available on their social media. They have their persona, and that’s what I was trying to aim for.”
—Randeep Hooda, Actor
These remarks offer a rare glimpse into the calculated methods through which Bollywood ensures its top actors, such as Salman Khan and Sunny Deol, continue to project invincibility and draw massive audiences. Hooda stressed that their stardom predates social media ubiquity, creating a mystique that modern actors often cannot replicate.
Hollywood’s Method: Grit, Realism, and Extensive Rehearsal
Hooda contrasted his Bollywood experience with his recent collaborations in Hollywood, such as starring with Chris Hemsworth in “Extraction” and preparing for “Matchbox” with WWE icon John Cena. Unlike in India, where choreography is shaped around the larger-than-life aura of the male lead, Western action requires cast and crew to engage in exhaustive training before cameras even roll.
Sharing his thoughts, Hooda said,
“The difference is they come and rehearse for weeks and weeks before they do it. Me and Chris were rehearsing for six weeks before we did them. It looks real. That happens with rehearsals, like in theatre. They’re not as worshipped as our Indian male stars are, and that’s probably what keeps it somewhere real.”
—Randeep Hooda, Actor
Through this lens, the actor revealed that Hollywood’s realism emerges from intense, theatre-like rehearsal schedules, fostering authenticity in on-screen combat scenes. Hooda noted that this approach is grounded in discipline and humility, with even established stars like Chris Hemsworth investing weeks for single action set pieces. Unlike the Indian tradition, Western stars do not receive blanket deification, enabling a grittier and more believable product that resonates on a different note with audiences.
Revelations from Personal Experience and Growth
Despite his lengthy portfolio of roles embodying rugged cops, gangsters, and villains, Hooda revealed a startling personal detail: he had never actually landed or received a real punch on film before joining the “Extraction” project. This admission reflects both the stylized nature of Indian film fights and the transformation required by participating in Hollywood productions.
Reflecting on his career, Hooda said,
“That was 2019. So for 19 years, I had the image of this tough guy in various roles, but I never punched anybody. I had to learn how to take and give a punch. It’s much like dance. You feel like you’ve done a lot, and then one morning, you wake up and realize, ‘Man, I haven’t done anything’.”
—Randeep Hooda, Actor
Through this candid account, Randeep illuminated the very different expectations and demands placed upon actors in each context. While roles in India often rely on carefully orchestrated spectacle, the Hollywood process required him to acquire new technical skills and embrace a realism absent from most of his previous work. This realization, as he described, was both humbling and motivating, pushing him to rethink what it truly means to be an action star across industries.
Looking Ahead: Hooda’s Ongoing Global Journey
Randeep Hooda’s successful leap from Indian films to Hollywood has positioned him as a symbol of cross-cultural versatility. Following his acclaimed role in “Extraction,” Hooda is set to return to Western cinema with the upcoming action-comedy “Matchbox,” directed by Sam Hargrave and co-starring WWE champion John Cena. The film, expected to release in 2026, promises a unique blend of high-octane action and offbeat humor, potentially furthering his reputation on the global stage.
As he continues to navigate two of the world’s biggest entertainment industries, Hooda’s experiences offer valuable commentary on how action, stardom, and audience expectations diverge and intersect. The stories of icons like Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, and Chris Hemsworth become not just narratives of individual achievement but windows into the broader cultures they inhabit and influence.
The ongoing evolution of action cinema, highlighted by Randeep Hooda’s observations, raises questions about what fans truly seek from their screen heroes in an era of transparency and digital exposure. As Bollywood and Hollywood each maintain distinct identities, actors working across both spaces must adapt, learn, and often reinvent what it means to captivate global audiences, blending myth with truth in every punch, stunt, and spectacle.
