Mumbai, Apr 16 (IANS): Actor Randeep Hooda says that being straightforward was the reason for his "slow" progress in the industry.

In an interview for the film "Laal Rang", Randeep said: "I am a 'muhfat (outspoken)' and that is the reason I have a slow progress in the industry. I try to be diplomatic but you can get the boy out of Haryana but not the Haryana out of the boy. People don't understand my humor and misunderstand me. Sooner or later people know I mean no harm and am a good man."

About his success in the industry despite being "an outsider", he said: "Actors from small time can deal with failure but they don't know how to deal with success. In success, how to fake humbleness and fake respect, the industry kids know it very well. But I can't do such things. I achieved success on my own and that has brought about a different confidence."

Randeep, who started out with films like "D", and "Monsoon Wedding", is in a good space recently having delivered critically acclaimed films like "Highway", "Rang Rasiya" as well as the commercial successes like "Kick". He is also a part of some big projects like "Sarbjit" and even Salman Khan's "Sultan".

He will next be seen as a 'blood mafia' from Haryana in the upcoming relationship drama "Laal Rang". Directed by Syed Ahman Afzal, the film also stars Akshay Oberoi and Pia Bajpai in prominent roles and is slated to release on April 22.