Actors who defied age to play beautiful roles

Bollywood, more often than not, sticks to a tried and tested casting method - namely elder male leads playing college students and romancing younger stars. 

But there have been times when actors were cast for their ability to play a role, irrespective of their actual age. 

Like these performances, where it wasn’t just makeup and styling that elevated the performance - it was how the actors perfected the mannerisms of a character that was nowhere near their actual age. 

Here, we are listing a few examples of how these actors played roles that were nowhere close to their real age and nailed it. Have a look at it.

Kamal Haasan in Hindustani 

There is no doubt that Kamal Haasan is a pro at transforming himself for a character. Remember Chachi 420? Hindustani was no different. 

Kamal Haasan was only 40 years old when he transformed himself into a 70-year-old vigilante. 

Not only does this remain one of the finest movies of all times, his performance was as realistic as ever.

Ranbir Kapoor in Sanju

35-year-old Ranbir Kapoor’s transformation into the 58-year-old Sanjay Dutt was the talk of the town when the first look of Sanju was released.

But while the physical transformation can be attributed to the people behind the camera, there is no denying the fact that Ranbir Kapoor gave a phenomenal performance in front of the camera. 

As Sanju, he wasn’t Ranbir the actor, or Sanjay Dutt the movie’s subject, but just the character he was portraying on screen.

Amitabh Bachchan in Paa

While there is no discounting the brilliance of the team of artists who transformed a 66-year-old man (at the time) to a 12-year-old child, you cannot ignore the excellence with which Amitabh Bachchan portrayed a preadolescent boy. 

From his actions and speech patterns to the emotional range of a young boy, Amitabh Bachchan nailed the role.

Manoj Bajpayee in Aligarh

Manoj Bajpayee played a professor almost 15 years senior to his real age.

There has never been a doubt that Manoj Bajpayee is a brilliant method actor, but as Prof. Ramchandra Siras, his impassioned fight for equality, combined with his emotional vulnerability at an unfair societal prosecution, made this performance memorable.

Aishwarya Rai in Sarbjit

Aishwarya Rai is the diva of Bollywood, be it on screen, or off screen.

And yet, her portrayal of a bereaved 60-year-old sister was right on point. She gave one of the strongest performances of her career with Sarbjit and proved that roles should not be defined by age.

Irrfan Khan in The Lunchbox

Irrfan was 47 years old when he played the role of an accountant about to retire in The Lunchbox. 

Like with most of his roles, Irrfan Khan was naturally proficient in this role too.

Rishi Kapoor in Kapoor & Sons

The lovable, slightly outrageous, but completely adorable dadaji of Kapoor & Sons was the soul of this family drama. 

And it was especially admirable how the 63- year-old actor (at the time) played a 90-year-old grandfather.

Shweta Tripathi in Haraamkhor 

Shweta played a young school student when she was almost 32 years old.

And her performance was relatable not because of makeup but because she beautifully showcased the confused anguish of a young girl caught in an illicit affair.

Priyanka Chopra in 7 Khoon Maaf

Priyanka Chopra was the queen of transformations in this movie. 

Showcasing the different phases of Susanna, when she herself was only 29 years old, proved her versatility as an actor. 

As Susanna, she aged from a young 20-year-old to an experienced old lady in the span of the movie, and not a single phase seemed unrealistic.

Anil Kapoor in Lamhe

In a movie that is considered as one of the most romantic movies of all time, Anil Kapoor’s character arc was equally brilliant. 

And despite being in his 30s, he excellently played the role of an older man, who falls in love with a girl 20 years his junior.