Exclusive: Randeep Hooda on how he bagged Chris Hemsworth's 'Extraction'

Randeep Hooda will be seen next in 'Swatantra Veer Savarkar’. The actor not only essays the role of the freedom fighter in this biopic, but this film also marks his directorial debut. Hooda was in Delhi for the trailer launch when he exclusively spoke to Indiatoday.in about many of his firsts, including how he bagged the Hollywood film 'Extraction', starring Chris Hemsworth and David Harbour.

Recalling how 'Extraction' happened to him, Randeep Hooda, who essayed the role of Saju, a former Para (Special Forces) Lieutenant Colonel, in the film said, “It was simply through an audition that I gave, which I'm not good at. I'm very thankful to the Russo Brothers and Sam Hargrave, the director, who chose me. I'm not very good at auditions. But, I got through it."

Elaborating about his role, he added, "There was a possibility of me doing another part in the movie, but I chose this part because, internationally, our image is not of action. It's more people doing menial jobs like taxi drivers, clerks, accountants, scientists, doctors, and those are the roles that are more prevalent for Indians in Hollywood. So, I wanted to break that stereotype. 'Extraction' provided me with that opportunity, and I'm very grateful for that project. It was probably one of the meatiest parts any Indian actor has had abroad. Literally. So, yeah, I'm very proud of my work in that film, and I hope more and more people get a chance to work there.”

Randeep also praised his 'Extraction' co-star Chris Hemsworth and said, “He’s great. He's very funny. He looks very tough, but he's hilarious and a very nice guy. And he is the quintessential superstar of the world, not just one country, but a very down-to-earth and very, very humble, sweet man. I really enjoyed working with him.”

While Chris Hemsworth headlined 'Extraction', an action drama about a mercenary hired to extract a kidnapped Indian boy from the clutches of a Bangladeshi drug lord, the film stood out for the meaty parts played by Indian actors, Randeep Hooda, Rudhraksh Jaiswal and Priyanshu Painyuli.

Directed by Sam Hargrave, and written by Joe Russo, the adaptation of the graphic novel ‘Ciudad’ premiered on Netflix in April 2020.