by Subhash K Jha

After his gangster turn in D, Randeep Hooda is going weak in the knees at the thought of working with Robert De Niro — the actor has been cast in Karma Confessions and Holy along with real-life flame, Sushmita Sen.

The film, co-produced by De Niro's daughter, Drena, will be shot in New York and New Jersey, and completed in a 25-day schedule in October and November.

"Drena de Niro's film, isn't my first international assignment — Monsoon Wedding was. And we all know it remains, to this day, the most successful Indian film abroad. Hopefully, this one too will cause a ripple."

"It isn't a Hollywood film, but an independent production," says the actor of the project, being produced under Drena's banner, Rapture Films.

"Drena's also acting in it. Just the thought of meeting her dad makes me go weak in my knees; it's my biggest incentive for doing this film.

Drena's dad and I studied the same method of acting, though he believes in changing appearances for characters, and I don't – we can't afford to do so here. I just want to go up to him and say, ‘Bob, I've been watching your films from childhood.' The main protagonists are Sushmita and I. It's about five or six relationships and their inherent problems. And Sush and I are the catalysts."

Are Sush and he a package deal? "Are you insulting me or her?" Randeep shoots back.

"They approached me first. I couldn't do it then because my dates were with Ram Gopal Varma, for Shock. They then approached Sushmita. But now that Shock has been pushed ahead, I was able to do the film. Sush and I aren't a package deal, but that we're cast together is a bonus for both of us. Such is fate... filled with strange coincidences. If Shock was on, I wouldn't have done this one."

The cast comprises Americans, Indians and Indian-Americans. "It will represent the multi-culturalism in America," says Randeep. "It'll take me two days to acquire an American accent — I've always been observant."

Randeep is very proud of his performance in D. "But I didn't get carried way. It's very important to keep your head on your shoulders; that's why I stay away from flatterers. In fact, I generally stay to myself, period.

I have friends, but not those whom I interact with on a day-to-day basis. I can't restrict myself to one character. I played a gangster in D; I can't do the same role again... not for while. That's why I'm looking forward to Drena's film," explains Randeep.

What got him the Karma Confessions and Holy role? "I'm sure Monsoon Wedding swung the decision in my favour. After that film, I got loads of fan mail. People turned spiteful when I couldn't reply. I guess I'm learning to be more accessible. I'm still not comfortable with crowds."

The actor is on the verge of signing two Hindi films. But he's turned down Shyam Benegal's Carmen. "It was going to be shot in November and December in Rajasthan; it clashed with Shock... but Carmen is Carmen, the ultimate musical," he sighs.

Before he leaves for the US, Randeep will do one segment of Varma's three-tiered horror tale, Darna Zaroori Hai, to be directed by Chekravarthy. "It really doesn't matter who's directing or who stars opposite me. I'm doing it for Ram Gopal Varma," concludes the actor.