Indian cinema has long celebrated performers who take on multiple avatars within a single narrative, delighting audiences with their versatility. Kamal Haasan famously portrayed ten distinct roles in Dasavathaaram, while Sanjeev Kumar showcased his acting prowess across nine characters in Naya Din Nai Raat. Sridevi delivered memorable double roles in Chaalbaaz, and Govinda entertained viewers in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. However, back in 2015, a prominent South Indian release pushed the boundaries far beyond ordinary multiple roles, requiring its lead star to subject his own body to an extreme and grueling transformation.
Four Distinct Avatars and a Gripping Plot
The film in question is the Tamil feature I, which hit theaters on January 14, 2015. Directed by Shankar, this romantic action thriller starred Vikram alongside Amy Jackson, Suresh Gopi, Upen Patel, and Santhanam in key roles. Running for approximately 188 minutes, the project's most defining feature was Vikram's remarkable physical evolution. He adopted four completely different looks throughout the narrative, appearing as a bodybuilder, a model, a menacing beast, and a hunchback. The storyline centers on Lingesan, a fitness enthusiast dreaming of bodybuilding who rises to stardom in the fashion industry before his rivals inject him with a dangerous virus, severely disfiguring him and setting off a tale of vengeance.
An Extreme Physical Transformation and Severe Dieting
Rather than relying solely on makeup, Vikram underwent dramatic physical changes to portray these phases authentically. He built up his muscle mass for the bodybuilder sequences, slimmed down for the modeling phase, and drastically reduced his weight for the disfigured avatar. According to various reports, his weight plummeted from around 90 kilograms down to 56 kilograms, with other estimates noting a drop from 86 kilograms. The actor shared in an interview that dealing with constant hunger proved to be the hardest part of this journey. He maintained an extremely restricted diet consisting of small portions such as egg whites and half an apple. To accelerate the weight loss, he committed to daily workouts and cycled roughly 15 kilometers every day.
Family Concerns and the Ordeal of Prosthetic Makeup
This drastic weight loss left his family deeply worried about his physical wellbeing. Director Shankar himself admitted that he grew concerned as he watched the actor shed weight so rapidly, noting that he had never actually asked Vikram to undergo such extreme measures. Beyond weight fluctuations, Vikram endured grueling hours wearing heavy prosthetic makeup during shoots. Reports indicate that this makeup remained on his skin for anywhere between 11 to 17 hours at a stretch, causing skin rashes and severe discomfort. Vikram later described the project as one of the most grueling assignments of his career, explaining that he spent nearly an entire year shooting behind an unrecognizable face where even crew members struggled to identify him. During his extreme weight loss phase, he also reduced social interactions because acquaintances constantly questioned his frail condition.
Massive Budget and Box Office Records
Mounting this grand production required an estimated budget of 100 crore rupees, a massive financial investment for 2015. When it finally arrived in cinemas during the Pongal and Makara Sankranti festival season on January 14, 2015, it shattered box office records. On its opening day alone, the film amassed over 34 crore rupees worldwide. By the end of its theatrical run, it accumulated a gross collection exceeding 240 crore rupees globally, comfortably doubling its initial production cost and cementing its status as one of the highest-earning Indian films of that year.
