Randeep Hooda’s ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’: Reshooting Challenges and More

Actor Randeep Hooda recently opened up about the challenges he encountered while directing and starring in the film ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, which was shot in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In an interview with ANI, Hooda revealed that he had to reshoot a significant scene at Ross Island because he forgot to wear glasses, an essential part of his character’s appearance.

Hooda shared, “I shot the entry of Kala Pani here because the original entry point no longer exists. It looked cinematic, so I took wide shots from above. We didn’t have much time to enjoy while shooting. On this pier, I portrayed the entry of Vinayak Savarkar, setting a dark and almost horror-like tone for the movie. While heading back after shooting, I realized I forgot my glasses. We returned, I wore my glasses, and we retook the shot. The image of Savarkar ji is incomplete without the glasses. We shot for 15 days in the Andamans.”

‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’ is a cinematic portrayal of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, one of India’s most influential and controversial figures in the Independence struggle. Directed by and starring Randeep Hooda, the film also features Ankita Lokhande and Amit Sial. The movie, which showcases Hooda’s drastic physical transformation—losing almost 32 kg to embody Savarkar—was released on March 22. Hooda discussed the dual challenge of starving for the role while managing directorial responsibilities, stating, “As an actor, you focus on yourself, but as a director, you manage everything. Staying hungry and managing everything made me irritable.”

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, was sentenced to 50 years in the cellular jail of Andamans, known as Kala Pani, in 1911 for revolting against the Morley-Minto reforms. He was released in 1924 after several mercy petitions. To mark his 141st birth anniversary, Hooda visited the Cellular Jail, where Savarkar was imprisoned. Hooda also mentioned the physical toll during filming, “We all got injured several times by the hunter. Many of my co-stars got hurt on set, but I was constantly occupied with work.” Savarkar, regarded as one of the most influential freedom fighters, was a lawyer, activist, writer, and politician, known for his book “Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?”.

‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’ is now streaming on ZEE5, offering viewers a deep dive into the life of a pivotal figure in Indian history.