Bollywood actors who nailed cross-dressing roles

Bollywood has a history of actors taking on cross-dressing roles for comedic effect, dramatic impact, or both. They've broken various societal stereotypes and gone above and beyond to justify their roles. Here are a few actors who took us by surprise with their cross- dressing and impressive performances.

Kamal Haasan's cross-dressing in "Chachi 420" is considered a masterclass in acting. He transformed himself into a convincing elderly woman, complete with impeccable makeup, prosthetics, and mannerisms. His performance was lauded for its subtlety and realism, making the character both believable and endearing. He has also successfully performed cross playing roles for other films like the tamil film, Dasavatharam where he portrays 10 different characters, including that of an old lady.

Shah Rukh Khan's cross-dressing in "Duplicate" added a comedic twist to the film's narrative. While not as extensive as some other examples, his portrayal was lighthearted and entertaining, showcasing his willingness to experiment with different roles. His scene is still remembered for its comedic effect.

In the romantic-comedy, ‘Jaan-E-Mann’ (2006), directed by Shirish Kunder, Salman Khan cross-dressed as a woman for a specific comedic sequence. While not a central theme of the movie, his appearance in female attire was definitely a memorable and humorous part of the film, playing on the awkward and funny situation his character finds himself in.

Aamir Khan's brief cross-dressing in the song ‘Pappi De Parula’ from "Baazi" was a playful and comedic moment. He embraced the absurdity of the situation, adding a touch of humor to the song's visual presentation. Although a short role, it was still very memorable. Mr Perfectionist took everyone by surprise with this challenging transformation.

Rishi Kapoor’s role in ‘Rafoo Chakkar’ showed him and Neetu Singh dressed as women, to hide from police. Rishi Kapoor's character, Dev, transforms into "Devi," requiring him to convincingly adopt female mannerisms and attire for a significant portion of the film. Rishi Kapoor's portrayal in drag was praised for its comedic timing and added a unique layer of humor to this Bollywood adaptation of "Some Like It Hot."

Known for his comedic timing and versatility, Govinda has donned female attire in several films, most notably in movies like "Aunty No. 1." His ability to convincingly portray a woman, complete with exaggerated mannerisms and comedic dialogue, made these scenes highly memorable. He embraced the absurdity of the situation, delivering performances that were both hilarious and entertaining.

Shreyas Talpade in "Paying Guests" took on a significant cross-dressing role, playing a character who had to disguise himself as a woman. His performance required him to maintain the facade throughout a significant portion of the film, showcasing his comedic skills. He managed to balance the humor with the character's underlying motivations.