Indian cinema has often gone beyond telling stories of celebrated personalities. Over the years, several filmmakers and actors have brought the lives of ordinary individuals, whose extraordinary achievements deserved wider recognition, to the big screen. From a wrestler who challenged societal norms to a man who moved a mountain with his bare hands, these real-life stories found a much larger audience through cinema. Here are five actors who brought lesser-known real-life heroes into the spotlight with their memorable performances.
1. Aamir Khan as Mahavir Singh Phogat in Dangal
Aamir Khan brought the inspiring story of wrestler and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat to the big screen with Dangal. A former wrestler from Haryana, Mahavir Singh Phogat challenged deep-rooted gender stereotypes by training his daughters, Geeta and Babita Phogat, to become professional wrestlers. Aamir’s remarkable transformation and powerful performance introduced millions of viewers to Phogat’s extraordinary journey, while also bringing greater attention to women’s wrestling in India.
2. Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Dashrath Manjhi in Manjhi – The Mountain Man
Nawazuddin Siddiqui portrayed Dashrath Manjhi, popularly known as the Mountain Man, in Manjhi – The Mountain Man. Hailing from Gehlaur village in Bihar, Manjhi undertook the seemingly impossible task of carving a path through a mountain using nothing but a hammer and chisel. Driven by the loss of his wife and the difficulties villagers faced in accessing essential services, he spent 22 years carving a road through the mountain. Nawazuddin’s deeply moving portrayal brought Manjhi’s extraordinary determination, resilience and sacrifice to a much wider audience.
3. Hrithik Roshan as Anand Kumar in Super 30
Hrithik Roshan stepped into the shoes of mathematician and educator Anand Kumar in Super 30. Kumar founded the Super 30 programme in Patna, through which he coached underprivileged students for the highly competitive IIT entrance examinations. Hrithik’s performance brought widespread attention to Kumar’s inspiring work and highlighted the transformative power of education.
4. Irrfan Khan as Paan Singh Tomar in Paan Singh Tomar
Irrfan Khan delivered one of the most acclaimed performances of his career as Paan Singh Tomar in the biographical drama. Tomar was an Indian Army soldier and steeplechase athlete who won national recognition for his sporting achievements before circumstances led him down a completely different path. Irrfan’s nuanced portrayal brought attention to the fascinating and tragic life of a man whose sporting achievements had remained relatively unfamiliar to mainstream audiences.
5. Akshay Kumar as Havildar Ishar Singh in Kesari
Akshay Kumar brought the extraordinary story of the Battle of Saragarhi to the big screen in Kesari. He portrayed Havildar Ishar Singh, who led a contingent of 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment against thousands of Afghan tribesmen in one of the most remarkable last stands in military history. Through his portrayal, Akshay helped introduce a wider audience to the bravery of the soldiers who fought at Saragarhi, bringing renewed attention to an important chapter in India’s military history.
