I look up to Randeep Hooda for his craft and choices- Cinema express

Danish Sood, who has been part of shows like Madhuri Dixit-headlined The Fame Game and the crime-thriller Hostages, is now sharing screen space with Randeep Hooda. In Netflix’s series CAT, set around the drug scene in Punjab, Danish plays Sunny, brother of Randeep’s character. Apart from being an actor, Danish also sings and composes music, the recent one being ‘Jaanu Na’ for another Netflix show Mismatched 2. We spoke to him about working with Randeep, his character and how OTT has changed things for young actors.

Excerpts:

How was your first meeting with Randeep Hooda?

It was really funny. I met him at the look test for the show and he was already in his costume. I was only there because I was eager to see him. I made sure I came to the office only during the time he was there. When he learned that I was playing the brother, he got into a funny, brotherly banter and started pulling my leg too. We also got some funny brother-brother photographs together.

You play Randeep’s brother Sunny/ Sarabjit Singh in the series. How did you prepare for the role?

I play Sunny, a Punjabi ‘Pind’ boy who uses substances to cope with his day-to-day life filled with drudgery and poverty. To understand his mind space, I researched the use of Cocaine and its increased usage amongst Punjab’s youth. This was the surface approach to building him and then I started with the interesting bits. I wrote a back story for him, relating and finding points that made him what he is today. 

You are also a singer and a composer and recently made ‘Jaanu Na’ for Mismatched Season 2, what do you see yourself more as, an actor or singer?

Acting is my passion and music is my love. There’s no hierarchy between them and I don’t think there ever will be. They are both where they should be and I want to do more and more of both. 

How was the learning experience on the sets of CAT?

CAT was quite a fulfilling journey for me as an actor. It made me step out of my comfort zone and try something completely different. Playing Sunny was an honour because I got to learn so much from the character itself. Then there was Randeep; an actor who I have always looked up to in terms of his craft and his choices. It was lovely. I felt like I got a lot more than I expected. The directors were so patient and they knew exactly what they wanted and even how they would get it out of the actors. I even learnt how to speak and master the Punjabi dialect which I had always wanted to do.

You have worked extensively on OTT. How do you think OTT has changed things for young actors like yourself?

OTT has been a blessing for all the young actors. It’s given us an opportunity to perform and showcase our craft. A lot of us don’t hail from acting backgrounds or families and it gave us a platform to showcase what all we have to offer. Acting is a medium that requires you to perform again and again till the time you can develop comfort and ease with the camera.  So, OTT is perfect because it gives you everything, even adding to the social media presence which is of utmost importance these days.

Drugs are an issue of concern in Punjab and a number of other projects came based on it. What makes this series different that people would be interested in watching?

More than just the drugs, the show revolves around brotherhood and what lengths does Randeep’s character go to save his brother. CAT is about the journey of this man who wants to protect his brother and can do anything for his family. He goes rogue, uncovering some dark truths about our past and the drug racket infiltrating the youth of Punjab.

What is next for you?

I can’t give out much but there are shows and a film in an anthology that will be coming on OTT next year. I play a surfer in one of my upcoming projects. I also began working on a mockumentary show that goes on floors this December. Moreover, I am also working on my EP which I plan to release in the second half of next year.