Beyond the Hero: Performances That Commanded Attention Anyway – From Vicky Kaushal to Sharad Kelkar

There are actors who headline films, and there are actors who command attention anyway, without the need to be the ‘hero’. Even as co-stars, these actors steal the show with their intricate understanding of their craft, and the commitment they lay to their portrayals. On this note, here’s looking at actors who went beyond the titles of hero, and commanded attention anyway!

Sharad Kelkar – Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
Sharad Kelkar delivered a widely acclaimed performance as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. His portrayal is often cited as one of the most powerful and authentic depictions of the Maratha king, reflecting his brilliant understanding of the character’s nature and his stronghold in in attaching grandiosity to the plot.

Vicky Kaushal – Sanju
In Sanju, Vicky Kaushal served a breakthrough performance as Kamli, a loyal best of Sanjay Dutt, played by Ranbir Kapoor. The actor became widely known for his Gujarati-inflected catchphrases, comic timing and his loyalty towards his best friend.

Vijay Varma – Gully Boy
In Gully Boy, Vijay Varma stole the show as Ranveer Singh’s close friend, Moeen Arif, a street-smart hustler, who is morally ambigious but a deeply loyal, empathetic and committed friend to Murad. The actor, known for seamlessly slipping into varied roles, blurred the lines between Moeen Arif and Vijay Varma.

Pankaj Tripathi – Stree
Pankaj Tripathi won hearts as a paranologist Rudra Bhaiyya in Stree franchise. Celebrated for his versatility and impeccable comic timing, the actor struck a fine balance between horror and comedy with his spot-on expressions, dialect and iconic dialogues! The actor showed that a genuine actor truly leaves a mark with his screen presence, strong hold over their portrayal and the ability to wear the character with confidence.

Jaideep Ahlawat – Raees
In Raees, Jaideep Ahlawat brought cold dread as Nawab, the right-hand man and assistant to a powerful crime boss. To the controlled body language to intensity in his dialogue delivery, Jaideep Ahlawat showed why he is one of the most gifted actors we have today.

In the treasure of Bollywood, these actors are the real gems we have today!