In the past, the acclaimed director Ketan Mehta has worked with superstars like Shah Rukh Khan ('Maya Memsaab', 'Oh Darling Yeh Hai India') and Aamir Khan ('Mangal Pandey – The Rising').

So when he signed on Randeep Hooda, a relatively new actor who had worked in 'D' and 'Risk', for his bilingual 'Rang Rasiya' ('Colours of Passion' in English), some critics wondered about his choice.

Moreover, Randeep was to essay the difficult and enigmatic character of Raja Ravi Verma, a flamboyant pioneering painter who was a visionary, apart from being a great admirer of the female form.

When asked what made him chose Randeep for the role, Ketan says, "It's a passionate film and required a lot of intensity and concentration by the lead actor.

My wife Deepa (Sahi) had given me a DVD of Randeep. I found the boy extremely talented, so I met him and in the first meeting itself, I knew he was the right choice."

The director goes on to add, "Randeep has given a brilliant performance by any standard and I'm really happy I made that choice."

And now that the promos of 'Rang Rasiya' are being widely appreciated, Ketan's vision stands vindicated.