From Makeover to Mastery: Male Stars Playing Female Roles - From Govinda, Kamal Haasan to Sharad Kelkar

Bollywood has seen several instances where substantial actors took on the challenges of playing female characters on-screen. Some delivered excellent humour while some raised the bar of intensity. Either way, they ensured their roles and performances hit a chord.

Here’s looking at male stars who played female roles.

Kamal Haasan

In Chachi 420, Kamal Haasan played the iconic, titular role, one that remains etched in the minds of his die-hard fans. The actor is seen in disguise as a nanny to his kids, and serves a comical take on a family drama with a deep message at the end.

Govinda

Govinda took on the challenge of stepping into the shoes of an aunty in Aunty No.1, and served a reminder of why he carries an impeccable comic timing. This iconic comedy drama explored the life of a middle-aged man who transforms into a woman to win the love of his lady.

Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar added a golden feather to his cap of versatility by playing a woman in Laxmii and unleashing ferocity and rage as a woman on revenge. The actor donned a saree, danced in the drape and added honesty to his portrayal with fluid expressions and mannerisms.

Sharad Kelkar

Sharad Kelkar created a striking curve in his filmography with Laxmii, wherein he stepped into the shoes of woman fighting for her respect. The actor let his character shine by embodying the softness of a female and combining it finely with rage, demonstrating inner conflicts.

Riteish Deshmukh

Riteish Deshmukh shot up the versatility meter to newer levels by playing the role of a girl in Apna Sapna Money Money in 2006. From getting the fluid movements to the expression right, the actor ensured to stand out among the ensemble star cast.

Ayushmann Khurrana

In Dream Girl, the off-beat actor played Pooja, pretending to be a girl who works in a love hotline call centre. He also donned a girl’s attire and even danced in the film with fluid moves and soft expressions.

For these actors, playing a woman on-screen was not just about a makeover transition; it was a masterclass in acting.