Theirs is a mutual admiration society. While Randeep Hooda considers Naseeruddin Shah his mentor, the veteran actor appreciates the former's diligence and perseverance.

Talking about Randeep, who has also been involved in his theatre group, Naseeruddin says, “He is working very hard and I am impressed with him. He is one of the few actors who is determined to learn. He is on the right track. Unfortunately, all his films have been failing, but so did mine (laughs). I didn't have a hit till I had completed 15 years in the industry, and then, Tridev came along. Before that, not a single film of mine made any money except Manthan. I started getting work after that,“ he says adding, “It's definitely demoralising when your films don't work, but you have to take it on the chin. That doesn't mean I have made a wrong decision.“ wrong decision.“

The actor says that successful actors have nothing in common but their zeal and perseverance. “I often tell young actors that the number of successful actors - Dara Singh, Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan had nothing in common, but their degree of determination and the fortitude to take whatever comes their way,“ he concludes.