Actor Randeep Hooda, who will next be seen in Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Highway’, said that when he was initially called to be informed that he would play the male lead in Imtiaz Ali’s next he thought that someone was pulling a prank on him.

The actor said that he had a fantastic time working with Imtiaz Ali in ‘Highway’.

“It was very nice working with Imtiaz. He guided us beautifully in the film. He is a Sufi artist kind of fellow but has the diligence of a school boy so you always feel safe. He really participates and helps you with what you are going through as an actor without interfering much,” said Randeep Hooda to PTI.

“Sajid Nadiadwala and I used to joke that he is such a nice guy that it can't be true. He must turn out a villain in the end but that did not happen,” he added.

Randeep Hooda said that his Jat dialect would often interfere with the Gujari dialect that he was supposed to speak in the movie.

“I speak the 'Jatu' Haryanvi not the Gujari language so it was hard because the dialects would overlap but we had the help of dialect coach to help us. My character is a small time fixer. It is a complicated character who initiates Veera's journey in 'Highway'," the actor said.

The actor said that his role in 'Highway' is one of the most honest parts that has come his way.

"This character is rooted somewhere, it is not generic. It is very close to my heart. I have always been honest in my work but this time there is a certain rawness and honesty that has never been there. It was an enriching experience."

Randeep Hooda, who has always chosen roles with shades of grey, said that it was conscious decision and his character in ‘Highway’ also falls in this category.

“I find they are the best characters to play. I am drawn to such roles and people also see me like that. In all of us, there is a struggle between the good and the bad. It makes it more palpable and real to play such people as an actor,” said Randeep Hooda.

The actor has been paired opposite Alia Bhatt in the movie, which few have called an ‘unusual pair’ but Randeep Hooda doesn’t think so.

“I don't see it that way. There is no unusual pairing. It was the demand of the story that characters are cast in a certain way. It was done to serve the story in the best possible way and I must say Alia is superb in the movie," he said.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali and Produced by Imtiaz's Window Seat Films and presented by Nadiadwala, the film will be released worldwide by UTV Motion Pictures on February 21.

After ‘Highway’ the actor will be seen in 'Main Aur Charles', where he plays Charles Sobhraj followed by Salman Khan’s ‘Kick’.

“I will be shooting 'Kick' till April or May. It is a big movie for me and I have a great part in it. 'Main Aur Charles' is about to finish, 'Shooter' is finished as well. All of them are interesting films,” he concluded.