From Jeetu Kamal gaining weight for a role to Suman Kundu turning vegetarian: Bengali actors who walked an extra mile for TV shows

Getting into the skin of a character isn’t easy. It requires a lot of effort, research, hardwork and dedication to look convincing on-screen. While some actors gained 10-12 kgs to look old on-screen, some became a complete vegetarian to play a role. An actress, on the other hand, spent hours talking to a psychologist just to get into the skin of a character who has schizophrenia. Let’s take a look at the actors who walked an extra mile for their TV shows… (Photo: Facebook)

The handsome actor has played many roles so far and believes in a methodical approach before playing a character. When he used to play Lord Shiva, Jeetu (a devotee of Shiva in real life too) started spending more time in the temple. To play the King of Natore (Choto Kumar Anandanath), he worked hard to do some research since not much ready references were available. But he went an extra mile to play Mallar Sen in ‘Raage Anuraage’. He put on weight, underwent a workshop for 6 months, and did a lot of homework to play 45-50 year-old widower Mallar. “We had a 6 months long rigorous workshop prior to the shoot. I worked hard, did every bit of my research but couldn’t convince myself Mallar, who is double my age and father of three. I was 24-25 then. Despite having perfect make-up and grey tinge in my hair, I wasn’t convinced with myself and started putting on weight and turned 92 kg. Soon, I started spending more time on the set, inside Mallar’s room, with his possessions or in the editing room. I used to sleep for 3-4 hours. Later, the makers wanted to narrate the drastic change in Mallar’s look after losing his wife. It was again a tough job. But all these hard work paid off.” Jeetu added. (Photo: Facebook)

Noor played Rajchandra in ‘Rani Rashmoni’. From his dialect to body language, Noor worked hard on every minute details to look convincing. The actor, who is known for his love for fitness, changed his look, put on weight, learned to play different musical instruments just to look convincing. It was his hard work and dedication which made him a household name. No wonder, the makers continued his track for a long time although it wasn’t a part of the plan initially. (Photo: Facebook)

Suman became a vegetarian while playing Sri Ramakrishna in 'Jagat Janani Maa Sarada'. He didn’t touch non-vegetarian dishes, alcohol or cigarette till his project was on. The project, which was hugely popular, earned him a huge name, thanks to his hard work and dedication. Every day, Suman used to remove shoes while entering the set and pray along with his director before shooting. (Photo: Facebook)

The actress, who made her presence felt with ‘Durga’, is quite successful in her career. She has played many roles right from mythological ones to a lady suffering from schizophrenia. Talking about the hard work, to live-breathe-talk like a character, Payel said, “Being an artist, it is our responsibility to look convincing as a character. During Behula, it was hard for me to pick up the dialect. So, I started spending more time on sets even after my part was done. I would listen to others. Be it Rupanjana di or the little girl playing Behula, I used to observe the way they would deliver dialogues. But playing the role of a lady, who suffers from schizophrenia in Tobu Mone Rekho, was a real challenge. Sahana di helped me a lot to play Supriya. I used to spend hours speaking to a psychiatrist to know more about schizophrenia. I used to discuss the scenes with her so that I can look convincing.” Payel’s hard work paid off as she was highly praised for her performance in the show. (Photo: Facebook)

Well, Suman aka Josh’s story is quite interesting. While other actors work hard to get into the skin of a character, Suman is working hard to get out from the shadow of his recent project ‘Nakshi Kantha’. Talking about the same Suman said, “I lived Joshojit’s life for 1 year and 8 months. His hairstyle became mine and his way of wearing specs became my habit. Every time, I was looking at the mirror, I wasn’t looking at myself. I was seeing Josh. The love I got as Josh, helped me to become the character and it isn’t easy to come out of that particular shadow. To me, it is just not a role, it is beyond that. Meanwhile, I have bagged a fantasy based-project and playing a king now. For preparation, watching period-dramas and films wasn’t enough this time as I couldn’t forget Josh. So, I have shaved my head. Though I won’t forget him easily but it won’t remind me of Josh every time I look at the mirror.”

Debopriyo grew up seeing his dad Mrinal Mukherjee, who was one of the finest actors of Bengali entertainment industry. Following his dad’s words, Debopriyo works hard for his on-screen characters. Recently, he shaved his head and lost 9 kg to play Mahatma Gandhi's role in TV show 'Netaji'. “We don’t get much time for preparation in mega-serial. But I try to work as much as possible for a particular role. I have seen Baba doing the same. I try to be in complete isolation before playing a new character. I decided to shave my head to play Gandhi Ji’s role in TV show Netaji rather than using prosthetic. I have lost 9 kg and read books to know more about Gandhi Ji's philosophy and beliefs. As an actor, it is my responsibility to be the character which we are portraying on-screen. Without dedication and love, it isn’t possible to get into the skin of a character,” he said. (Photo: Facebook)

The actress became a household name playing Maa Sarada's role in ‘Jagat Janani Maa Sarada’. The show was s huge hit and has been aired once again following viewers’ demand. In an earlier interview, she told ETimes TV, “Essaying Maa Sarada’s role is a lifetime achievement. But it’s challenging too. I followed a strict diet, meditated every day and read a lot of books on the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Maa Sarada.” Arpita didn't do her eyebrows for 2 years only to look convincing. (Photo: Facebook)

Debanjan worked really hard to play Vivekananda’s role in ‘Jagat Janani Maa Sarada’. He had to put on weight for the show. Debanjan used to meditate, read books on Swami Ji and maintained a balanced diet throughout the project. (Photo: Facebook)