I failed in my first year: Randeep

Actor Randeep Hooda admits to being not so studious during his college days and he believes that to succeed in life one needs to follow one's passion.

"I hardly studied in college and I got through because I think most of the courses in college are courses in common sense. What you learn in college is outside the class," the 37-year-old told reporters at the St. Xavier's college where he was promoting his film ' John Day'.

"In college, I used to worry about my future. But ultimately if you do something you are interested in, you will become a champion in it and it has got nothing to do with education," added the actor who carved a niche for himself in the field of modelling and acting.

Randeep says what helps him in his career today is his time spent with friends.

"I failed in my first year but ultimately I got my degree. But that degree is of no use to me when I stand on stage today. My interpersonal skills and the time spent with my friends is what is helping me. So don't be disheartened and follow your dreams," he said.

Seen in films 'Monsoon Wedding', 'Cocktail" and 'Murder 3', Randeep's next is ' John Day'.

Directed by Ashishor Solomon, ' John Day' is a thriller and stars Naseeruddin Shah in the title role, while Randeep plays a police officer.

It will hit theatres Sep 13.

—IANS

She may have been liked as Ranbir Kapoor's love interest in her debut film ‘Rockstar’, but Nargis Fakhri says it's tough for an outsider to make a place in the industry. She considers herself lucky to have worked with A-listers and thanks her team for the feat.

In her second film, Shoojit Sircar directed political thriller ‘Madras Cafe’, scheduled to release Friday, she will be seen with another top actor — John Abraham.

“I'm still in awe of how I got so lucky to work with the actors like Ranbir and John. I hope to continue to work with more A-listers,” said Nargis.

“It is pretty difficult for a newcomer to make in Bollywood. You need guidance, and I was fortunate that agencies like Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and KWAN Entertainment and Marketing Solutions had taken me on. If it wasn't for the team I think I might not have been here.

"In this industry, you need to know people or have family that is already in it to make it big. I still have so much to learn and so many people to meet,” she added.

Having said that, Nargis is open to work with newcomers as scripts also guide her decision.

“I am open to work with newcomers. It's just not about the co-stars, it also depends on the script...I'm an equal opportunist,” said Nargis.

The actress, who likes donning a chef's cap while at home, is essaying the role of a foreign journalist in ‘Madras Cafe’. Nargis feels, when she did “Rockstar’, she had no clue about the industry, but acclimatised herself while working on her second film.

“With every new film you hope that you have grown, and I think I have grown a bit. I have put in a lot of hard work and time into 'Madras Cafe'. As the time moves forward, you start understanding and learning more when it comes to the craft," she said.

“When it comes to 'Rockstar', I was new and had no clue on what was happening or what I had to do! I was thrown into something I had no clue about. In my second film, I have been able to give more, because I had the time to learn,” the 33-year-old added.

Sharing her experience of being a journalist in the film, Nargis stressed: “It was difficult as I am not a real journo. But with the help of workshops, people, documentaries as well as footage from on the field war correspondents of BBC and CNN, and my own effort have helped me understand my character Jaya,” said Nargis. How's John as a co-star? “John made me comfortable on the sets. He is a talented actor and a lovely person to work with. It's great to work with people who can make you feel safe and at ease,” she said.

After ‘Madras Cafe’, Nargis will be seen in an item number with Shahid Kapoor in director Rajkumar Santoshi's ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’.

“It's my first item number. It was fun, but at the same time very difficult. I have learned so much from this experience. I'm not a trained dancer. I had taken classes though,” said Nargis.

On being asked the kind of roles she is looking forward to do, Nargis responded: “I'd love to do an action film where the woman is some kind of hero. I just want to kick some butt. But I'm open to all sorts of roles, because with each role your portray, you learn something new about other people as well as your self.”

She will be seen doing action in ‘Madras Cafe’.

—IANS