From Priyanka Chopra to Sushant Singh Rajput: Actors who underwent intense transformation for sport biopics

Priyanka Chopra – Becoming Mary Kom:

To step into the shoes of boxing legend Mary Kom, Priyanka Chopra trained for months with professional coaches. She relocated to Goa and followed an intense schedule—boxing, strength training, and endurance drills filled her days. Her goal wasn’t just to look like Kom but to move and fight like her too. In an interview, Priyanka explained, “As a girl it was very difficult to build those muscles. I had to build in three months what Mary did in 15 years.” She even spent time in Manipur to learn about Kom’s life, family, and culture, immersing herself in the character both physically and emotionally.

Farhan Akhtar – The Flying Sikh’s Discipline:

Farhan Akhtar's portrayal of Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag required an exceptional level of discipline. He trained for over three months, undergoing a rigorous program that cut his body fat down to 5 percent. With sprint drills, weight training, and a strict diet, Farhan sculpted the physique of a true sprinter. For another sports drama, Toofaan, Farhan gained 15 kilograms to portray an amateur boxer and then shed it all to reflect his rise in the boxing world. “The body would cramp, I would swell up, but the mind had to stay focused,” he shared in an interview.

Aamir Khan – Two Bodies for One Role in Dangal

Aamir Khan, known for his method acting, went through a remarkable transformation for Dangal. To play wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat at different life stages, he first gained over 20 kilos to depict the aging father. After shooting those scenes, he underwent a massive body transformation—losing nearly 25 kilos and building lean muscle—to portray the younger version of Phogat. “I scheduled the shoot in such a way that the transformation became part of the process. It gave me motivation,” Aamir explained.

Kartik Aaryan – The Rise of a Real-Life Champion:

Kartik Aaryan’s journey for Chandu Champion saw him dropping his body fat from 39 to just 7 percent over 14 months. The film is based on Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist, and demanded an extraordinary transformation. Director Kabir Khan revealed that Kartik committed without hesitation. “He just smiled and said, ‘I will do it Sir.’ A year and a half later, the result was astonishing.” Kartik trained like an athlete—boxing, swimming, and maintaining a clean, high-protein diet—all without artificial enhancers.

Sushant Singh Rajput – Channeling M.S. Dhoni:

When Sushant Singh Rajput took on the role of cricketer M.S. Dhoni, he didn’t just imitate him—he trained like him. He studied Dhoni’s cricketing techniques for months, perfecting the iconic helicopter shot and mimicking his calm demeanor. His dedication earned praise from Dhoni himself, who appreciated the authenticity. Sushant spent considerable time observing Dhoni off the field as well, ensuring that the essence of the man, not just the sportsman, was brought to life.