Randeep Hooda: Writing Has Become the Most Fulfilling Part of My Creative Journey

Mumbai – Actor and filmmaker Randeep Hooda has revealed that while acting remains his first love, writing has emerged as the most fulfilling aspect of his creative expression.

“Over the years, I’ve developed a deep passion for writing,” Randeep shared. “It has become the most rewarding part of the creative process for me. As an actor, I bring to life stories crafted by others—but through writing, I get to shape the stories I’ve lived, witnessed, or imagined.”

Randeep is currently working on a collection of short stories inspired by the neighborhoods of Versova and Aaram Nagar in Andheri, Mumbai. These tales explore themes like the quiet resilience of a roadside flute-seller who appears every Sunday, the struggles of aspiring actors in the city, the dark truths of the casting couch, and more.

“Versova and Aaram Nagar have long been silent stages for dreams, ambitions, and survival,” he said. “There’s this bansuri wala I see every Sunday—he stands at the same spot, playing his flute, often drowned out by the city’s chaos. Behind him lies a world filled with dreams, daily battles, small victories, and heartbreak.”

“Writing these stories gives me a renewed sense of purpose,” he added, “and allows me to reflect on the complex layers of life that surround us.”

On the cinematic front, Randeep will next appear in Matchbox, an American action-adventure comedy directed by Sam Hargrave. Based on the popular toy line, the film stars John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, Teyonah Parris, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, and Randeep himself. It is slated for release in fall 2026.

He is also working on Operation Khukri, an epic war drama based on the book Operation Khukri: The Untold Story of the Indian Army’s Bravest Peacekeeping Mission Abroad by Major General Rajpal Punia and Damini Punia.

The film will depict the dramatic 2000 rescue mission in Sierra Leone, where 233 Indian peacekeeping soldiers were taken hostage by rebel forces and later rescued in a high-stakes military operation.

With inputs from IANS