Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda pens a moving tribute to his cherished pet horse Ranji, who passed away at the age of 23, marking the end of an emotional journey filled with love, freedom, and companionship.
Highlights:
- Randeep Hooda grieves the loss of his beloved horse Ranji at 23.
- Shared heartfelt tribute on social media on August 2
- Ranji had a remarkable journey from an army depot to show-jumping medals
- Randeep reveals how Ranji changed his life and spirit
- Actor expresses heartbreak, considers not keeping horses anymore
- Ranji suffered from laminitis, a debilitating horse disease
- Randeep to next appear in Hollywood film Matchbox (2026) with John Cena
Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda shared a deeply emotional tribute to his beloved horse, Ranji, who passed away this week at the age of 23. Taking to social media on August 2, Hooda posted a heartfelt video montage capturing cherished memories and penned a moving note celebrating Ranji’s extraordinary life.
Ranji’s journey was truly remarkable. Born in 2002 at an army depot and sired by a horse named Gaylord (GY), he was deemed unfit for service due to his small build and a botched eye treatment that left him partially blind. Sold to a tanga wala, his fate seemed sealed—until a timely call between two army Colonels changed everything, rescuing him from a life of pulling carts and leading him into Randeep Hooda’s life.
“I named him Ranji because of his one eye, like Maharaja Ranjit Singh,” Hooda explained. “He was a free-spirited, mischievous soul — jumping over fences, crawling out of stables — always ready to run free.” Ranji’s lively personality made him more than just a companion; he became Hooda’s close confidant and a partner in equestrian sport.
Randeep recalled, “He took me flying over many obstacles, sometimes with my eyes shut, and helped me win several medals.” Despite being afflicted with laminitis — a painful and often fatal condition in horses — Ranji lived a full life, finally passing away at the age of 23, which equates to the 90s in horse years.
In a tearful goodbye, Hooda wrote:
“With a heavy heart and the thought of never keeping horses again, I say goodbye to my loyal companion. My dear Ranji — we simply ran out of time, brother.”
On the professional front, Randeep Hooda was last seen in the action drama Jaat alongside Sunny Deol, portraying the villainous Ranatunga. The actor is set to make his Hollywood debut in Matchbox, an upcoming American action-comedy featuring John Cena and Jessica Biel, scheduled for release in 2026.
Ranji may be gone, but his spirit gallops on in the heart of his rider — a legacy of love, freedom, and fierce companionship.
