From Vijay Deverakonda in 'Kingdom' to Ranbir Kapoor in 'Animal': Actors Who Underwent Major Physical Transformations for Their Roles

Many stars push the limits of physical and emotional transformation to breathe life into their roles. Whether it's reshaping their bodies or completely revamping their appearances, these actors have shown remarkable dedication to their craft over the years. Chiyaan Vikram’s transformation for I and Aamir Khan’s change for Dangal were some iconic moments. Each transformation is a testament to their relentless discipline and deep commitment to portraying their characters with conviction. From Ranbir Kapoor’s striking makeover in Animal to Vijay Deverakonda’s gritty new look in the upcoming Kingdom, here are five actors who went through dramatic changes to fully inhabit their roles in recent times.

Pic: Twitter

Vijay Deverakonda has undergone a fierce transformation in Kingdom, sporting a thick beard, rugged scars, and a chiselled physique. His intense, raw, and massy look screams power and rebellion. The teaser of the film has already set the tone, showcasing Vijay in an avatar never seen before. Many of his fans were shocked to see him with such a well-built physique when the first-look poster of the movie was released. Kingdom, directed by Gowtham Tinnanuri, is expected to hit theatres by the end of this month.

Pic: Twitter

Ranbir Kapoor underwent an intense physical transformation for Animal, gaining muscle, growing a beard and long hair, and sporting a rugged look. He trained rigorously, adopted a high-protein diet, and altered his posture and expressions to authentically embody the violent, emotionally complex character. The behind-the-scenes photos and the actor’s intense workout routine for the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial venture had previously stunned the internet. Ranbir is now gearing up for the release of his next movie, Ramayana, with Nitesh Tiwari. He will also return in Animal Park, the sequel to Animal.

Pic: Twitter

Hrithik Roshan transformed physically for Fighter by following a strict workout regime and disciplined diet. He built a lean, muscular physique to portray an Air Force officer, focusing on agility, endurance, and strength while perfecting his body language and action timing. His much younger appearance, due to weight loss, became a topic of discussion among fans. Fighter, directed by Siddharth Anand, also featured Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover, and Akshay Oberoi in key roles. Hrithik is now building his body for War 2.

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Farhan Akhtar’s physical transformation for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was intense—he trained like a professional athlete, followed a strict diet, and ran for hours daily. He completely embodied Milkha Singh’s spirit, physique, and discipline, delivering a performance that felt powerfully real. His physique completed the character, and the actor did not compromise on the authenticity required for the biographical sports drama of Milkha Singh.

pic: Twitter

Kartik Aaryan underwent a remarkable physical transformation for Chandu Champion, shedding body fat and building an athletic physique. Through rigorous training, including boxing and swimming, and a strict diet, he fully committed to portraying India’s first Paralympic gold medallist with authenticity and grit. He shared a surprising video of tasting sugar after months of following a sugar-free diet during the shoot. He was seen wincing when director Kabir Khan fed him some sweets on the day they wrapped up the shoot. Kartik is now bulking up for his next romantic film, which is part of the Aashiqui franchise.

Pic: Twitter