Life recaptured: How Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Vikrant Massey & others nailed the portrayal of public figures in Bollywood biopics

The latest to join this prestigious wave is Anantvijay Joshi with his portrayal in the film Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, tracing the journey of a simple man to a significant political leader.

Ranbir Kapoor: Sanju

Ranbir Kapoor undertook the transformative role of Sanjay Dutt in this roller-coaster biographical film. His dedication to mimicking Dutt's mannerisms and physical evolution across decades was widely lauded. The performance earned him a Filmfare Award and delivered his biggest box-office blockbuster to date.

Vicky Kaushal: Chhaava

Vicky Kaushal took on the ambitious, epic historical role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son and successor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The role demanded intensive physical and emotional preparation, and the film solidifies his trajectory as a leading man capable of headlining large-scale historical dramas, proving his versatility across genres.

Anantvijay Joshi: Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi

Joshi embodied Ajey (based on Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath) that chronicled the fascinatin

g journey from a young man to a yogi and ultimately, a significant political figure. Building on the foundation of his critically appreciated work in 12th Fail, his decision to lead this high-profile biopic signifies a major career leap.

Vikrant Massey: 12th Fail

Massey delivered an intensely honest portrayal of Manoj Kumar Sharma, the real-life IPS officer whose journey from a failed high school student to a civil servant is a saga of relentless perseverance. This subtle, heartfelt performance elevated him into the A-list of bankable lead stars. The film's sleeper hit status cemented his reputation as a master of sincere, everyman roles, achieving significant critical and commercial success.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Thackeray

Siddiqui stepped into the role of Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena political party. His ability to transform seamlessly into recognisable public figure, was the core strength of the film.