May 17, 2025
Aamir Khan added 25 kg to play Mahavir Singh Phogat, a veteran wrestler and father who coaches his daughters to wrestling fame. His make over was critical to the authenticity of the film, and he was widely praised as well as aiding ‘Dangal's’ record box office and critical success.
For her debut, Bhumi Pednekar gained 27 kg to portray Sandhya, an obese bride seeking love and understanding amidst societal pressures. Her realistic performance earned her Award for Best Female Debut and defied Bollywood stereotypes.
Rajkummar Rao added 11 kg and half-balded himself to play Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in this web series. His dedication to the character, including a dramatic look change, impressed critics and indicated his versatility as an actor.
Salman Khan gained 15–18 kg of muscle mass to portray Sultan Ali Khan, a wrestler, who is returning to action. His sheer bulk and ferocious acting were pivotal to the commercial success of the film, earning him acclaim for his action scenes as well as emotive depth.
To portray Sanjay Dutt in ‘Sanju,’ Ranbir Kapoor put on more than 13 kg of muscle, from 70 kg to 85 kg, in six months. His eerie similarity and subtle performance were much admired, and ‘Sanju’ became one of the year's biggest hits.
Hrithik Roshan put on weight to portray Ethan Mascarenhas, a paraplegic magician. Eating fried food to get a 36-inch waist, he acted with sensibility and strength in this drama.
Vidya Balan gained 12 kg to play Silk Smitha, a flamboyant and controversial South Indian actress. Her fearless performance earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress and redefined the women of Bollywood.
Pratik Gandhi bulked up to portray Harshad Mehta, the notorious stockbroker. His makeover and intense performance lent realism to the role, which earned him awards and critical appreciation and turned the series into a cultural phenomenon.
Farhan Akhtar bulked up immensely to portray a boxer in ‘Toofan.’ His intense training and believable performance as an underdog boxer underscored his commitment and gave depth to the sports drama.
Thanks For Reading!
Read Next