Do you think the term 'versatile' is used too liberally?

I have noticed that many actors and actresses nowadays are labelled as versatile and I have wondered if the term is used too liberally. Especially in the case of BW actresses, I have noticed that an actress is called versatile if she plays just 1 role contrary to the typical flowerpot role. This is not to put down BW actresses but I love to watch movies from different Indian industries and I have noticed that actresses from other indian industries have a wider range of opportunities to play different characters. If you look at their portfolio, you can really see the variations in the roles they have played. This is to really rue the fact that BW actresses do not get as many opportunities to play varied range of characters. BW actors fare much much better as they get more opportunities to play different characters. I think by labelling an actor and actress as versatile, we are restricting their growth, in a sense, as it could lead to a false complacency that they have already proved their versatility. What do you think? Do you think the lack of different opportunities (especially for BW actresses) should be addressed?

Yes... There is an argument for everyone to be versatile. In bigger stars Aamir might be the only versatile actor in BW... And Vidya Balan in actresses... one of the reasons I most admire her is she likes to take up different roles.

In my opinion versatility is much more than simply acting if you're actor, more than dancing if you're a dancer, more than singing, if you're a singer.

Originally posted by: Cutiepie Rani

In my opinion versatility is much more than simply acting if you're actor, more than dancing if you're a dancer, more than singing, if you're a singer.

In other words being versatile is going beyond your potential. For an actor, versatility means not only portraying various types of characters, but emoting well, performing well, dancing well - all with the same amount of grace. Did that make sense? It's kind of hard to put into words. I guess my definition here pertains more towards actresses (at least the dancing part).

Versatility goes beyond just acting. Acting is only 1/3rd of being versatile. Playing different roles is another aspect...

I think I could of said all of this better. My brain isn't thinking. And I don't even know if I answered your question. 😆 Sorry, my bad.

The first actress to come to my mind is Madhuri. People may beg to differ, but she's one actress who's almost done it all. I can't speak for actors or actresses who came before Madhuri, because I haven't watched many of their films to give an opinion.

Originally posted by: NK1865

I get your point and agree to a certain extent, but feel that the different variety of characters should also be included. What do you think about the current lot? Do you find them as versatile? :)

Originally posted by: Cutiepie Rani

Oh of course different variety of characters is key to being versatile. I was trying to say that its not the only component to being versatile. I don't find anyone from the current lot to be versatile. I think the closest is probably Ranbir, but I think he has a lot to still explore. I love Deepika too, but I don't think I would put her in that versatile category yet either. So to answer your question, no - I don't think anyone in the current generation are versatile. Closest would be Ranbir.

I'd say Rani Mukerjee is versatile. She has played various different characters and successfully. The role she had in Yuva was different than the one she had in Dil Bole Hadipa, Black or Veer Zaara. And in all this movies, Rani embodied her role and delivered very good performances.

Yeah I was thinking this too when I saw a topic on Anushka Sharma recently, people calling her versatile. 1 or 2 films out of her usual zone isn't versatility. It's good that she's starting to try different roles though, producing her own films might allow for more of that but she has a long way to go. Versatility is being able to play Sonia Roy in Aitraaz to Jhilmil in Barfi or Meghna Mathur in Fashion to Mary Kom or Neha in Dostana to Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani or 12 distinctly different characters in WYR to straightforward Sweety in Kaminey or insane Susanna in Saat Zhoon Maaf to most sane Ayesha Mehra. And she excelled in all the roles... Priyanka's the only one in Filmfare history to win every acting category.

BW really needs to understand the term first. Versatility is not abt picking different roles but being able to excel in them in such a way tht u can't differentiate the actor from the character e.g Rani AB sir, Nawazuddin. I don't find any versatility in current lot of actors..maybe Alia in future cos she has potential.

Vidya is versatile for me.