When actors go unrecognisable for their roles

Be it losing weight, going bald, turning transgender or pushing themselves to unbelievable lengths to fit into the character, a number of our Kollywood heroes go that extra mile to change themselves completely. Their transformations almost always pay off, too, as they manage to leave the audience stunned. While we have almost come to expect drastic, unrecognizable transformations from actors like Vikram (think Anniyan, I, etc), it was Akshay Kumar���s recent villain look in 2.0, which took us by surprise.Here are more such actors who have undergone transformations making them look unrecognizable.
Actor: Akshay Kumar
Film: 2.0
���Was that Akshay?��� - this was the reaction of most people when they got to see Akshay Kumar���s first look in the upcoming film 2.0, which is being directed by Shankar. We revealed the first look of the actor in the look of a crow, while he was shooting for the film in Delhi. With the long eye lashes, grey hair, villainous teeth, a feathered jacket and a scowl, Akshay was completely unrecognisable in that look. Akshay plays the negative role, reportedly that of a scientist who turns into a crow, in the film that has Rajini in the lead.
Actor: Suriya
Film: 24
The trailer of Suriya���s upcoming film 24 showcases Suriya in multiple looks. In one of the looks the actor goes unidentifiable in a wheel-chair bound character. He is seen in a bald look, which has raised the expectations of the film. The film is said to revolve around the concept of time travel, and one of the characters Suriya plays in it, is reportedly that of a scientist. This character, we assume, is tortured by a baddie in the film, which again is essayed by Suriya.
Actor: Vikram
FiIm: I
Vikram lost more than 25 kilos, went bald and worked with prosthetic makeup for almost a year, for one of his characters in I. According to the film, a doctor would inject him a virus that causes his body to deform and degenerate. It was said that, sometimes, even people on the set were not able to recognise the extremely thin Vikram without makeup. The actor cut off completely from not just the media, but also avoided attending public functions and even family weddings. But the actor, who has a never-say- die attitude, found that reinventing himself was in fact, challenging and never once complained.
Actor: Shaam
Film: 6 Mezhuguvarthigal
Shaam shocked the audience with his unrecognisable look in 6 Mezhuguvarthigal. He lost oodles of weight, grew his hair and applied prosthetic makeup for one of his looks in the film. He played a father, who travels across the country in search of his missing son. In the end he had to appear in a transformed look. He had big puffy bags under his eyes. Reportedly, Shaam spent sleepless nights to get the look right. Though the film had mixed reviews, Shaam���s tremendous effort was well appreciated.
Actor: Arya
Film: Naan Kadavul
Arya did a once-in-lifetime role in Bala���s Naan Kadavul. He portrayed an aghori and the actor had to grow long hair, a bushy beard and a moustache, too. Arya shot for the film in Kasi in this look. During the breaks, he used to sit on the streets and it was said that people used to seek blessings from him assuming him to be a real aghori. Some even fell at his feet to get blessings and some, offered him alms! He learnt yoga in 30 days to perform sheershasan for the introduction scene in the film, too.
Actor: Lawrence
Film: Kanchana 2 In the song Moda Moda in Kanchana 2, Lawrence enthralled the audience with his transformation. He sported the look of a young girl in that song and, in fact, he even danced like a little girl! Lawrence���s this particular look in this thriller garnered him a lot of praises.
Actor: Sharathkumar
Film: Kanchana It sure came across as a surprise when a commercial hero like Sharath Kumar took up a challenging role for Kanchana. He played a transgender woman in the film and many wondered how a well-built Sharath could portray a feminine role���but he pulled it off in style! His performance came in for rave reviews, as he added character to the role with his body language, more than the actual physical transformation.
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While many actors attempt such challenging roles once in a blue moon, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan does it quite often. Here are some of his different looks for which he made use of prosthetic makeup and went in disguise for his characters���.