While being an actor may seem like the most sought-after job, it is not all glitz and glamour. Clocking in hours at the gym, and following crash diets, all to look like a character on the big screen is not an easy job. With hefty paychecks come great sacrifices, and that holds across cinema – be it Bollywood’s Aamir Khan to Hollywood’s Channing Tatum.
For the upcoming film, ‘Roofman’, Channing Tatum lost nearly 30 kgs for his role. Opening up about the dark reality of his transformation, he shared how the extreme weight loss affected his mental health. By the time he started shooting for the film he weighed just 78kg.
Here are 6 extreme transformations actors did for their roles
Charlize Theron for Monster
Transforming into the character of a serial killer for the film, this 2003 movie made Therom shave off her eyebrows and gain nearly 14 kg. She not only wore prosthetic makeup but also fake teeth for this role. Her extreme dedication won her an Oscar in 2004.
Ranbir Kapoor for Sanju
Bollywood’s heartthrob and a new father, Ranbir Kapoor, has worked on a vast range of films. From being the rom-com lead in Bollywood to transforming into a violent protagonist for Animal, Kapoor gained over 13 kg to portray Sanjay Dutt in the film Sanju. Embodying his stride, he impressed fans and won multiple awards.
Christian Bale for The Machinist
Making it almost hard to believe, Christian Bale has gone from unrecognisable to worst, losing nearly 30 kg for his role in 2004’s The Machinist. Playing an insomniac, Bale underwent an immensely restrictive diet where he ate just one can of tuna a day and a single apple. Amounting to just 200 calories a day, he bulked up another 220 pounds for Batman Begins, just after wrapping up the film.
Jennifer Aniston for Cake
FRIENDS’ Rachel, played by Jennifer Aniston, is one of Hollywood’s most popular actresses. Known for her iconic fashion looks, Aniston played the role of a struggling woman with chronic physical pain and mental distress. To capture the true essence of the character, Aniston went without makeup throughout the filming.
Aamir Khan for Ghajni
Aamir Khan with abs, was his physique during the filming of Ghajni.For Dangal, Aamir Khan underwent a grueling 13-month training routine, consuming four litres of milk, 16 egg whites, and more each day to sustain his workouts. He first gained significant weight for the role, then shed it to achieve Olympic-level fitness for a sequence that lasted only minutes on screen.
Natalie Portman for Black Swan
Natalie Portman playing the role of ballet dancer, she played the character of the iconic Darren Aronofsky’s dark psychodrama, Black Swan. She pushed herself to an extreme where her BMI dropped to 17.2. Going on an intense diet, she consumed around 1200 calories a day, surviving on fruits, vegetables, and liquids alone. She worked out for at least 5 to 8 hours a day, including intense dance routines to play her character to the T.
Portman admitted to being on the verge of collapsing several times during shooting and became so weak, she thought she was going to die, she revealed in an interview. All these actors have remarked that these strict regimes has never been a healthy lifestyle to live with.