Randeep Hooda is this generation's Irrfan Khan, says 'Inspector Avinash 2' director
Synopsis
Director Neerraj Pathak says working with Randeep Hooda gave him the same creative high as working with the late Irrfan Khan — a comparison that sets a high bar ahead of 'Inspector Avinash' Season 2's premiere on 15 May 2026. Most striking: real-life colleagues of the cop Hooda portrays were reportedly moved to tears by his performance.
Key Takeaways
Director Neerraj Pathak compared Randeep Hooda to the late Irrfan Khan in terms of creative chemistry and dedication.
Pathak previously directed Irrfan Khan in a Doordarshan show ( 26 episodes ) and later in the film 'Right Yaaa Wrong' with Sunny Deol .
Pathak said Hooda has 'spoiled' him by setting an exceptionally high benchmark for actor dedication.
Team members of the real-life cop behind the show were reportedly moved to tears by Hooda's performance. 'Inspector Avinash' Season 2 premieres on 15 May 2026 on JioHotstar .
Director Neerraj Pathak has drawn a striking parallel between Randeep Hooda and the late Irrfan Khan, saying the experience of working with both actors on screen carries the same creative joy. Pathak made the comparison during promotions of 'Inspector Avinash' Season 2 in Mumbai on 14 May 2026, ahead of the show's premiere on JioHotstar.
What Pathak Said About Randeep
The director was candid about how Hooda has reset his expectations of actors. 'I can say that he has spoiled me, actually. Now, when I cast someone and I think of doing the work, I think, ‘Who will have so much dedication? Who will do it so well?’ So, with him, it was an effortless combination for me,' Pathak said. He described the pairing as one that required no extra effort to produce results.
The Irrfan Connection
Pathak traced his bond with Irrfan Khan back to a Doordarshan television production in which Irrfan featured across 26 episodes under his direction. He recalled a promise he made to the late actor: that he would cast him in his first film. That promise was kept with 'Right Yaaa Wrong', which also starred Sunny Deol. 'The fun I had while working with Irrfan, I had the same with Randeep,' Pathak said, underscoring how rare such creative chemistry is across a directing career.
Why Good Actors Change the Game
Pathak went beyond personal anecdote to articulate what separates exceptional actors from the rest. 'Good actors take your written work 10 times higher because whatever is not written, they find it,' he said. He noted that with a less-experienced actor, a director must push and inspire to extract a performance — whereas with Hooda, that effort was unnecessary. 'That’s why Randeep was an asset for me for this character of Avinash,' he added.
Real Cops Moved to Tears
Among the most telling endorsements came not from critics but from the people who knew the real Inspector Avinash. According to Pathak, team members of the real-life cop on whom the show is based were moved to tears by Hooda’s performance — a measure of authenticity that goes beyond conventional acting praise.
Premiere and Platform
'Inspector Avinash' Season 2 is set to stream from 15 May 2026 on JioHotstar. The show, based on the life of a real police officer, returns with Hooda reprising the lead role under Pathak’s direction. All eyes will be on whether the second season sustains the critical attention the first generated.
Point of View
And Pathak is not making it lightly — he has the directorial history with both men to back it up. What stands out is the specific metric he uses: not awards or box-office, but the ability to elevate unwritten subtext. That is precisely what separated Irrfan from his peers, and if Hooda is genuinely operating in that register, 'Inspector Avinash 2' arrives with more than promotional buzz behind it. The real-cop-in-tears detail is the kind of authenticity signal that streaming platforms cannot manufacture.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has director Neerraj Pathak compared Randeep Hooda to?
Neerraj Pathak has compared Randeep Hooda to the late Irrfan Khan, saying the creative joy of working with both actors is identical. He cited Hooda's dedication and ability to elevate written material as the basis for the comparison.
When does 'Inspector Avinash' Season 2 release?
'Inspector Avinash' Season 2 premieres on 15 May 2026 on JioHotstar. Randeep Hooda reprises the lead role under director Neerraj Pathak.
What is Neerraj Pathak's history with Irrfan Khan?
Pathak directed Irrfan Khan in a 26-episode Doordarshan television show and later cast him alongside Sunny Deol in the film 'Right Yaaa Wrong'. He describes their working relationship as one of his most creatively fulfilling collaborations.
Why did real-life cops react emotionally to Randeep Hooda's performance?
According to director Neerraj Pathak, team members of the real-life police officer on whom 'Inspector Avinash' is based were moved to tears by Hooda's portrayal. Pathak cited this as evidence of the performance's authenticity and emotional accuracy.
What does Neerraj Pathak mean when he says Randeep Hooda 'spoiled' him?
Pathak means that working with Hooda has raised his expectations of actors to a point where he now finds it harder to work with less dedicated performers. He says Hooda's work ethic and hunger for excellence have reset his benchmark for what a lead actor should deliver.
