Naseeruddin a major catalyst in my career: Randeep

Randeep Hooda, who shares screen space with Naseeruddin Shah in forthcoming film "Johnday", credits the veteran actor with instilling confidence in him to become a Bollywood actor.

"I have been with him for the past 13 years as part of his theatre troupe - sometimes as an actor and sometimes as a writer and even his student. Naseer-saab gave the patience required for my art and my career," the 36-year-old said here at a press meet for the film's promotion Wednesday.

"I haven't learnt that much from him in this film, as much as I have as a friend and a student in the last 13 years. He was the first man who took me as a professional for his theatre troupe and gave me the confidence that if I work hard, I will be able to achieve something as an actor," added Hooda.

Randeep says he finds Naseeruddin's work ethics commendable and that he can never overpowering the senior as an actor.

"His principles towards acting, like hard work and dedication, there I would want to overpower him. But in a role, no actor can overpower another actor unless both are doing the same role," Hooda said.

Directed by Ashishor Solomon, "Johnday" is a thriller and hits theatres Sep 13.