Actor-turned-director Randeep Hooda’s much-anticipated biographical debut as a director, “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar,” has hit the screens with mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Despite the buzz surrounding the film, it seems to have struggled at the box office, managing to collect only Rs. 15.000 crore till the day of its release.
Expressing his disappointment, Hooda recently revealed the challenges he faced during the making of the film. In a candid conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia on a podcast, Hooda lamented the lack of support the project received, disclosing that he even had to sell his own property to keep the film afloat.
“We had difficulties making the film from the start,” Hooda shared. “the team that was initially attached to the project, those people didn’t have the intention to make a quality film. They just wanted to make a film. And when I came as a director, that quality was not going to work. Because of this, we had to face a lot of problems in production, we had to face a financial crunch.”
Despite his dedication, financial constraints plagued the production, forcing Hooda to make personal sacrifices. “Even after having my horses, I had to sell the properties that my father bought for me with his hard-earned money for this film,” he revealed.
Hooda’s commitment to his role went beyond financial sacrifices. He underwent extreme weight loss for the film, bringing his weight down to a staggering 60 kgs. “I would have only water, black coffee, and green tea,” he further shared how he fell down a couple of times on set due to the rigorous regimen.
The challenges didn’t end there. Hooda suffered a severe knee injury while filming a horse-riding scene, recalling the terrifying moment he blacked out and fell off the horse. “My leg was pointing in a different direction under the knee,” he recounted. “I punched it back into place before seeking medical attention. I’d torn three ligaments, but I continued filming with a limp leg.”
Despite the hurdles, Hooda remains proud of his work on “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.” “Only my family, my wife, and I know what all we went through,” he reflected. “I don’t know why we didn’t get the support we needed, but I don’t want to revisit those struggles.”
“Swatantrya Veer Savarkar,” Randeep Hooda’s directorial debut released on March 22, is a biographical portrayal of the life of freedom fighter Veer Damodar Savarkar. Alongside Hooda, the film features Ankita Lokhande in pivotal roles, adding depth to the narrative.