The Bollywood of today is a far cry from the Bollywood of yesteryear. No longer are we content to watch pretty faces flitting about amidst the trees. Our cinema has undergone a dramatic evolution, captivating audiences worldwide with its gripping plotlines and unforgettable performances. But there’s more to it than that. Aesthetics play a vital role, and achieving the perfect look is no mean feat. It takes hours of hard work from the best prosthetics experts in the business, as well as the tireless efforts of the actors themselves, to bring these characters to life. This has pushed the boundaries of what we thought was possible on the big screen. Let us take a look at some of the celebrities who were nearly unrecognizable on screen.
1) Kamal Hasaan in Chachi 420
Ah, who could forget the legendary Chachi? Kamal Haasan’s iconic performance in the 1997 film ‘Chachi 420’ is still talked about today, and for good reason. In this beloved classic, Kamal Haasan portrays a man who disguises himself as an old woman in order to be close to his daughter after his wife files for divorce. It’s a heartwarming and hilarious tale that’s sure to leave you in stitches. And Haasan’s transformation into the titular Chachi is truly a sight to behold – with the help of expert makeup artists, he disappears completely into the role, leaving us all in awe. It’s no wonder ‘Chachi 420’ remains one of Bollywood’s most iconic films of all time.
2) Shabana Azmi in Makdee
We all freaked out at least once when we watched this movie as kids! Released in 2002, Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘Makdee’ left us all spooked with its first-ever Bollywood comedy-horror. Shabana Azmi took on the terrifying role of a witch who hunts for kids. Her expert makeup and acting skills transformed her into an unrecognizable, dark, and lonely character, while the innocent twins’ Chunni/Munni provided a contrast to her evil nature. The film shocked audiences and showed us a new side of Shabana Azmi’s talent.
3) Amitabh Bachchan in Paa
In 2009, R Balki’s ‘Paa’ showcased a unique story with even more unique casting – Amitabh Bachchan as a 12-year-old boy with Progeria and his real-life son Abhishek Bachchan as his father. The movie highlighted the beautiful bond between the two and how they deal with the challenges of this rare genetic disorder. Amitabh Bachchan’s transformation into a child with Progeria was remarkable, with intricate makeup and prosthetics making us hard to believe that it’s the Big B.
4) Rishi Kapoor in Kapoor and Sons
‘Kapoor and Sons’ is a story about a dysfunctional family who reunites to fulfil their grandfather’s wish. In the 2016 movie, Rishi Kapoor’s portrayal of the lovable and quirky grandfather was a standout performance that left audiences in awe. The skilled makeup artist transformed the veteran actor into a convincing 90-year-old man, complete with wrinkles, a bald patch, and a potbelly. Alongside Kapoor, the movie starred a talented ensemble cast including Alia Bhatt, Fawad Khan, and Siddharth Malhotra, who all gave brilliant performances.
5) Deepika Padukone in Chhapaak
The transformation of Deepika Padukone into the character of Malti in the 2020 movie ‘Chhapaak’ was nothing short of astounding. With her portrayal of an acid attack survivor, she left audiences in awe of her remarkable performance. The talented makeup artist faced a daunting task in creating the look of a victim, but their efforts paid off as Deepika was almost unrecognizable post her makeup. Her dedication to the role and the depth of emotion she brought to it won her an outpouring of admiration. Deepika’s ‘Chhapaak’ look was truly a testament to her talent and the power of cinema to tell stories that need to be heard.
6) Rajkummar Rao in Raabta
In the year of 2017, Rajkummar Rao delivered a stunning performance as the supercentenarian Mohak in the movie ‘Raabta’ featuring Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon. The character’s portrayal demanded a remarkable transformation, and the credit goes to the skilled prosthetic makeup artist Zuby Johal, who succeeded in rendering Rajkummar Rao completely unrecognizable. The level of dedication that went into bringing Mohak to life was truly praiseworthy, and the actor’s commitment to the role was evident in every frame.
7) Randeep Hooda in Sarbjit
Randeep Hooda’s portrayal of ‘Sarbjit’ in the eponymous movie left audiences stunned in 2016. The actor underwent a gruelling transformation for the role, going on a starvation diet to achieve the perfect look. He cut down all his meals, surviving solely on water and coffee, in order to lose an immense amount of weight. When he finally appeared on set, Randeep was virtually unrecognizable, and it took almost 15 minutes for his co-star Aishwarya Rai to realize who he was.
8) Akshay Kumar in 2.0
In the year 2018, Akshay Kumar underwent a transformation that the audience didn’t expect – he donned the appearance of a feathered marvel in the movie ‘2.0’. His role as Pakshi Rajan, an avid bird enthusiast, required a strenuous metamorphosis, making it one of the most challenging makeovers ever witnessed by the Bollywood industry.
9) Lara Dutta In Bell Bottom
In the year 2021, the stunning Lara Dutta left audiences mesmerized with her spellbinding transformation as the former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, in the Akshay Kumar starrer, ‘Bell Bottom’. Her portrayal of the iconic political figure sent shockwaves through the industry and left fans eagerly anticipating the film’s release. With her uncanny resemblance to Gandhi and the attention to detail in her portrayal, Lara Dutta’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. ‘Bell Bottom’ follows the story of an undercover RAW agent, played by Akshay Kumar, who is tasked with rescuing hostages from a hijacked plane, and is set against the backdrop of the 1980s.
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