Randeep Hooda has shared a candid take on working with John Cena in their new film Matchbox: The Movie, and his words carry more weight than the usual co-star praise. The Bollywood actor, who recently made his mark in the Apple TV action thriller, says the WWE legend turned Hollywood star is seriously underrated as an actor, and he saw it firsthand on set.
Randeep Hooda on John Cena: He Is a Much Better Actor Than People Make Him Out to Be
The core of Hooda’s praise is simple and direct. In an interview with Hindustan Times, the actor said Cena’s public persona does not fully capture what he brings to a scene.
“He is quirky on social media, but while working, he is very concentrated. He is a much better actor than what people make him out to be. I got to witness it in person by being with him in a scene.”
That single observation has become the headline takeaway from Hooda’s press interactions around the film. For audiences who mostly know Cena from WWE and his comedic social media presence, Hooda’s comment offers a different lens: one of a focused, prepared performer who takes the craft seriously once the cameras roll.
The Shared Inspiration That Connected Randeep Hooda and John Cena
The connection between the two actors went beyond professional respect. Hooda revealed that they found common ground through a shared screen idol.
“We found our common inspiration in Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
That detail adds a personal layer to their working relationship. Both actors built careers that bridge action and drama, and both have spoken about Schwarzenegger’s influence on their approach to the screen. The conversation reportedly came up during the shoot, giving the two performers an easy reference point between takes.
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Inside Randeep Hooda’s Experience Working with John Cena on Matchbox
Matchbox: The Movie is an Apple Original Films production inspired by Mattel’s iconic die-cast toy car brand. The film is directed by Sam Hargrave, who previously worked with Hooda on the 2020 Netflix action hit Extraction. The project reunited Hooda with Hargrave and a large part of the Extraction crew, which Hooda described as a major draw.
“It was great uniting with Sam again after Extraction. The kind of action and great character that he gave me was absolutely something and I really enjoyed doing it. The whole lot of people from Extraction were there on Matchbox, so it was like a reunion after a long time.”
Hooda plays a character named Mustafa in the film. In the story, Mustafa serves as the right-hand man to an arms dealer named Robbie, played by Golshifteh Farahani. The ensemble cast also includes Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, Teyonah Parris, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, and Bill Camp.
What Matchbox: The Movie Is About and Where to Stream It
Matchbox: The Movie centers on Sean, played by John Cena, an undercover CIA agent whose secret life pulls his childhood friends into an international crisis involving a stolen nuclear warhead. The film debuted on Apple TV on October 9, 2026, and is available to stream globally for subscribers on the platform.
The movie is produced by Skydance and Mattel Studios, with a production team that includes David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Robbie Brenner, and Ynon Kreiz.
John Cena’s Popularity in India and the Blue Suit Conversation
Hooda also touched on Cena’s massive fan following in India, a topic that came up during their time together on set. Cena’s connection with Indian audiences runs deep, largely through WWE’s long-standing popularity in the country.
“John loves India, and he is aware of the great following he has here. We discussed his much-talked about blue suit that he wore here. Indians relate to him due to WWE. While we were shooting, he went to have one of his fights, and it was surreal to know that. He has fans in India from age 8 to 80.”
The “blue suit” reference points to Cena’s appearance at a high-profile Indian wedding event in Mumbai, where he wore a traditional powder blue outfit and photos circulated widely on social media. Hooda’s comments suggest the two actors shared more than just scenes during production.
Randeep Hooda’s Busy Career After Matchbox
Matchbox: The Movie arrived in a significant year for Hooda. He received his first National Film Award as a director for Veer Savarkar, a project that marked a major turning point in his career behind the camera. When asked whether the win has pulled him further toward directing, Hooda was clear about where his heart remains.
“Acting remains, and it always will remain my first love. But the canvas or the expression as an artiste that you get as a director, is absolutely thrilling and one filled with so many different art forms that come together into one. So, while acting remains the first love but direction gives you a different kind of wings.”
He also confirmed that he has written a couple of scripts and is working toward taking the director’s chair again, while continuing to produce projects. His next acting project is Eetha, a biographical drama directed by Laxman Utekar and led by Shraddha Kapoor, scheduled for release on December 4, 2026.
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The Streaming Performance of Matchbox: The Movie
Critics were mixed on the film. Moneycontrol noted that while the action sequences deliver, the writing is weak and Hooda’s role is limited. SlashFilm reported that the movie holds a 24% Rotten Tomatoes score but still became the top-rated movie on Apple TV at the time of its release.
For Hooda, the project served as another step in his international career and a chance to reunite with a filmmaker who helped launch his Hollywood journey. His praise for Cena, however, stands as the most quotable takeaway from the film’s press run, giving audiences a reason to look at the WWE star’s acting work with fresh eyes.
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