Randeep Hooda: ‘Often find myself smiling thinking of Nyomica’

Lin Laishram with daughter Nyomica; (right) Randeep Hooda. Pics/Instagram

These days, Randeep Hooda finds himself smiling between takes. The actor, who welcomed daughter Nyomica in March with athlete-actor wife Lin Laishram, says fatherhood has brought him a joy he hasn't felt since his teenage years. "As a person, I feel a bit weaker in the knees. I want to go home more than ever since I got married because it is another reason to go back to. I often find myself sitting in a corner and smiling to myself thinking of my daughter," Hooda tells mid-day, his eyes lighting up at the mention of the little one.

As he settles into fatherhood, the actor says every day brings a new lesson. "I am still a new dad. It has been two months, but there is more to discover every day. As my parents say, it is the best achievement of my life," he grins.

Shraddha Kapoor

While he is still in the early stages of fatherhood, we wonder whether becoming a parent will influence his creative choices. On that front, Hooda is clear that nothing has changed. "I have never made choices that will embarrass me later in front of my kids or anybody else's kids. So, that is not going to change," assures the actor, who will next be seen in Eetha, alongside Shraddha Kapoor.

The Laxman Utekar directorial venture, based on Tamasha artiste Vithabai Bhau Mang Narayangaonkar, recently wrapped up filming. Refusing to divulge details about the project, Hooda says he could talk about it, but "I don't know whether it will be in good taste". He prefers to wait for the makers' green signal before discussing the film further. "I don't want to tom-tom about myself," he smiles.