Acting Unleashed: 14 Bollywood Actors Who Pushed Boundaries to Portray Unforgettable Characters

Acting is a craft that demands dedication, skill, and the ability to transform into different characters. Many actors push the boundaries of their craft and go to extreme lengths to portray their characters convincingly. In the Indian film industry, there have been several instances where actors have gone above and beyond to immerse themselves in their roles. In this blog, we will explore 14 Indian actors who took extraordinary measures to bring their characters to life, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

1. Aamir Khan – “Dangal” (2016): Aamir Khan is known for his dedication to his roles, and for “Dangal,” he underwent a dramatic physical transformation. Playing the role of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, Khan gained over 60 pounds to portray the older version of the character accurately. His commitment to the role was evident, and the film went on to become a massive success.
2. Ranveer Singh – “Padmaavat” (2018): In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic period drama “Padmaavat,” Ranveer Singh portrayed the antagonist Alauddin Khilji. Singh reportedly isolated himself from the world to get into the mindset of the ruthless character. He stayed in character even off-camera and delved deep into the psyche of the role, delivering a powerful performance.
3. Priyanka Chopra – “Mary Kom” (2014): Priyanka Chopra played the role of Olympic boxer Mary Kom in the biopic dedicated to the athlete’s life. To prepare for the role, Chopra underwent intensive training in boxing, spending hours in the gym and perfecting her boxing skills. Her commitment paid off, and she received critical acclaim for her performance.
4. Shah Rukh Khan – “My Name Is Khan” (2010): In “My Name Is Khan,” Shah Rukh Khan portrayed Rizwan Khan, a character with Asperger’s syndrome. To prepare for the role, Khan extensively researched the condition and met people who had firsthand experience with it. He brought depth and authenticity to his performance, raising awareness about the condition in the process.
5. Vidya Balan – “The Dirty Picture” (2011): Vidya Balan took on the challenging role of Silk Smitha, a controversial and bold actress from the South Indian film industry, in “The Dirty Picture.” Balan gained weight and underwent a complete transformation to accurately portray the character’s physicality and mannerisms, earning her widespread praise.
6. Hrithik Roshan – “Guzaarish” (2010): In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Guzaarish,” Hrithik Roshan portrayed a paraplegic magician named Ethan Mascarenhas. Roshan spent time with people with paralysis to understand their experiences and emotions. He also underwent physical training to understand the physical limitations of a paraplegic person, resulting in a poignant and nuanced performance.
7. Deepika Padukone – “Chhapaak” (2020): Deepika Padukone played the role of an acid attack survivor named Malti in “Chhapaak.” To prepare for the role, she spent time with real-life survivors, understanding their struggles and emotions. Padukone also underwent prosthetic makeup to accurately depict the physical scars of the character, showcasing her commitment to the role.
8. Randeep Hooda – “Sarbjit” (2016): Randeep Hooda portrayed Sarabjit Singh, an Indian national who was wrongfully imprisoned in Pakistan, in the biographical drama “Sarbjit.” To prepare for the role, Hooda underwent a drastic physical transformation, losing a significant amount of weight to depict the physical deterioration of Sarabjit during his imprisonment. He spent time in isolation to understand the emotional trauma of the character, delivering a powerful and moving performance.

9. Kangana Ranaut – “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi” (2019): Kangana Ranaut not only portrayed the legendary warrior queen Rani Laxmi Bai in “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi,” but she also co-directed the film. Ranaut underwent rigorous training in horse riding, sword fighting, and archery to perform the action sequences herself. Her dedication and passion for the character were evident in her powerful portrayal.
10. Nawazuddin Siddiqui – “Raman Raghav 2.0” (2016): In “Raman Raghav 2.0,” Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the role of a psychotic serial killer. Siddiqui went through a grueling process to get into the mindset of the character, isolating himself and researching the behavior and psyche of real-life serial killers. His intense and chilling performance was widely appreciated.
11. Rajkummar Rao – “Trapped” (2016): “Trapped” is a survival thriller where Rajkummar Rao plays a man who gets trapped in an apartment without food, water, or electricity. To prepare for the role, Rao went on a strict diet and lost a significant amount of weight to authentically portray the physical and emotional struggle of his character. His committed performance held audiences captivated throughout the film.
12. Taapsee Pannu – “Naam Shabana” (2017): In “Naam Shabana,” Taapsee Pannu reprised her role as Shabana Khan from the film “Baby” (2015). To convincingly portray the trained secret agent, Pannu underwent extensive training in martial arts, including Krav Maga. She performed several action sequences herself, showcasing her dedication and commitment to her character.
13. Irrfan Khan – “Paan Singh Tomar” (2012): In the biographical drama “Paan Singh Tomar,” Irrfan Khan played the role of an athlete turned rebel. To prepare for the role, Khan underwent physical training to build the physique of an athlete. He also spent time with the real-life family members of Paan Singh Tomar to understand the character’s journey and motivations. Khan’s performance earned him critical acclaim and accolades.
14. Sushant Singh Rajput – “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story” (2016): Sushant Singh Rajput portrayed the legendary Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni in “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story.” Rajput went through rigorous training to master Dhoni’s cricketing skills and batting techniques. He spent months practicing on the field and interacting with Dhoni himself to understand his personality and mannerisms. Rajput’s dedication and attention to detail were evident in his portrayal, earning him praise from both critics and audiences.

These 14 Indian actors demonstrated immense dedication and commitment to their craft by going to extreme lengths to portray their characters. From physical transformations to intensive research and training, they immersed themselves in their roles, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. Their remarkable performances not only entertained but also raised the bar for actors in the Indian film industry. Their dedication serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors, emphasizing the importance of putting in the effort to bring characters to life authentically.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright