Randeep Hooda

Randeep Hooda is an Indian actor, director, and producer known for his intense performances and willingness to transform his body for roles. He first appeared in Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding (2001), but his breakthrough came with Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010). Since then, he has balanced mainstream hits like Kick and Sultan with critically acclaimed work in Highway and Sarbjit, and he made his Hollywood debut in Extraction (2020).

In 2024, Hooda wrote, produced, and directed Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, a biographical drama that earned him the National Film Award for Best Debut Director. He is also an accomplished equestrian, competing at the national level, and an active philanthropist, often participating in relief efforts. As of 2026, he is married to actress Lin Laishram and they have a child together. [edit]

Randeep Hooda was born on August 20, 1976, in Rohtak, Haryana, and grew up in a disciplined, academically oriented household. His father was a doctor and his mother a teacher. He attended the Motilal Nehru School in Haryana, where he developed an early passion for sports, especially equestrianism, which would later become a defining part of his life.

After school, he moved to Australia to study management at the University of Melbourne. While there, he started modeling to support himself, and it was this that led to his first film role when he was cast in Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding (2001). The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and won the Golden Lion, but despite this prestigious debut, Hooda spent nearly a decade struggling to find substantial roles. He took on small parts and faced repeated setbacks before his career finally gained traction in 2010. [edit]

Randeep Hooda's career turned a corner in 2010 with the gangster drama Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, which brought him mainstream recognition. He followed this with a series of notable performances: Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), Jannat 2, Jism 2, Cocktail, and Heroine (all 2012), and leading roles in Murder 3 and John Day (2013).

2014 was a pivotal year: he earned a Filmfare nomination for Rang Rasiya, delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Highway, and starred in the blockbuster Kick. He continued to impress with Main Aur Charles (2015), Sarbjit (2016), and Sultan (2016), and took on action in Baaghi 2 (2018). He made his Hollywood debut in the Netflix film Extraction (2020) and starred in the series CAT (2022).

In 2024, Hooda wrote, produced, and directed Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, a biographical drama that won him the National Film Award for Best Debut Director. In 2026, he achieved success at the National Equestrian Championship and was appointed brand ambassador for Nehlia Developers in July. He continues to work on diverse projects, including the upcoming film Jaat (2025). [edit]

Randeep Hooda is known for his versatility and his willingness to undergo extreme physical transformations for roles, such as losing significant weight for Sarbjit and bulking up for Sultan. He is perceived as a serious, committed actor who chooses challenging and diverse projects. His public image also includes a strong association with animal welfare and humanitarian causes, as seen in his flood relief work in Assam in July 2026, where he distributed rations and served food at a langar. His social media presence is professional and cause-oriented, with a following of around 4 million on Instagram. [edit]

Randeep Hooda maintains a substantial global profile driven by his reputation for intense character work and recent directorial acclaim, yet he does not currently hold a placement in the published iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his standing as of August 2026 and determined that he remains unranked within the scope of the world's most famous individuals or specific category lists. While his career spans over two decades with notable commercial successes and a National Film Award for Best Debut Director, his fame operates through professional recognition rather than a consolidated numerical position in the current hierarchy. His audience is extensive, with an Instagram following exceeding four million, but this fanbase lacks a formal, documented name such as a branded club or specific legion. Unlike stars with organized campaigns or ritualistic street gatherings, Hooda's supporters engage primarily through digital channels and appreciation of his craft without established internal nomenclature or coordinated public events. There are no verified records of fans shutting down streets or engaging in extraordinary physical reactions to his appearances, nor are there specific viral folklore stories defining his cultural mythology beyond his professional milestones. The narrative surrounding him focuses on his humanitarian efforts, including high-profile flood relief work alongside Salman Khan, and personal milestones like the birth of his daughter in 2026. This organic support structure reflects a dedication to his artistic output rather than a structured fandom movement.[edit]

Randeep Hooda owns five horses and competes in equestrian events, achieving success at the National Equestrian Championship in 2026. He is an animal lover, as noted in his Instagram bio, and his production company is @randeephooda_films. His film Highway (2014) holds an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Jannat 2 (2012) holds 0%. He attended the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015 for the premiere of Beeba Boys. Born on August 20, 1976, he is 49 years old as of 2026. In 2026, Hooda received the Best Debut Director award at the National Awards for his film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, an event he described as something he was still trying to process. That same year, he joined forces with Salman Khan to build 500 semi-permanent homes for Assam flood victims, marking a significant moment in his humanitarian legacy. On March 10, 2026, he welcomed his daughter Nyomica with partner Lin Laishram, a milestone that led him to reflect on how fatherhood changed his perspective on life.[edit]

Randeep Hooda was born to a doctor father and a teacher mother in Rohtak, Haryana. He grew up in a middle-class household with a strong emphasis on education. He married actress Lin Laishram in 2023 in a traditional ceremony, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2026. Lin Laishram has been open about the realities of motherhood, sharing honest posts about life after childbirth. The family resides in Mumbai. [edit]

Randeep Hooda has worked with several prominent figures in Indian cinema. He made his debut under director Mira Nair in Monsoon Wedding. He co-starred with Deepika Padukone in Cocktail (2012), with Salman Khan in Kick (2014) and Sultan (2016), and with Tiger Shroff in Baaghi 2 (2018). His Hollywood work includes acting alongside Chris Hemsworth in Extraction (2020). He is married to actress Lin Laishram. [edit]

Randeep Hooda has kept his personal life relatively private. In the early 2000s, he was linked with actress Sushmita Sen, though neither confirmed the relationship. He later married actress Lin Laishram in 2023 in a traditional ceremony. The couple welcomed their first child in 2026. As of 2026, Hooda is married to Lin Laishram and they have one child together. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Randeep Hooda's net worth at $12 Million. His primary income sources include acting fees, which have ranged from ₹2 to ₹5 crore per film in recent years, as well as earnings from directing and producing. He also receives income from brand endorsements, such as his role as brand ambassador for Nehlia Developers, and from his production company. Hooda has invested in equestrian sports, owning five horses, which adds to his assets. His career has included several commercial successes, including Kick, Sultan, and Baaghi 2, which have contributed to his financial standing. His Hollywood role in Extraction and his directorial debut have also boosted his profile and earning potential. While exact figures are not publicly disclosed, his diverse income streams and continued work in the industry support this estimate.[edit]

Randeep Hooda won the National Film Award for Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (2024), one of India's highest cinematic honors. He has also received a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor for Rang Rasiya (2014). [edit]