19 Bollywood Actors Who Were So Perfectly Cast In Movie Roles, No One Else Could've Played Their Characters

Can you even imagine someone other than Arshad Warsi playing Circuit?

1. Manoj Bajpayee as Bhiku Mhatre in "Satya".

Ram Gopal Varma

"Mumbai ka king kaun? Bhiku Mhatre!" Manoj Bajpayee's killer performance in this iconic film definitely made us believe that he was the "king". "Satya" went on to become a career-defining film for the actor, earning him accolades from critics and audiences alike. It also won him his first National Award for Best Supporting Actor.

2. Kalki Koechlin as Laila in "Margarita With A Straw".

Viacom18 Motion Pictures

The film may not have been perfect but Kalki Koechlin's heartwarming performance in "Margarita With A Straw" definitely left us all teary-eyed. She plays Laila, a bisexual woman born with cerebral palsy, who laughs and loves with all her heart and isn't afraid to explore her sexuality or fulfil her desires.

3. Irrfan as Paan Singh Tomar in "Paan Singh Tomar".

UTV Motion Pictures

There's not a single Irrfan performance we don't love but his act in "Paan Singh Tomar" blew our minds! He essayed the role of an Army subedaar and athlete who turns into a dacoit when the police refuse to register his complaint. A flawless performance for sure!

4. Vikrant Massey as Shutu in "A Death In The Gunj".

MacGuffin Pictures

This film finally broke Vikrant Massey's sidekick image and showed the world what this immensely talented actor was capable of. His silent and layered act will stay with you long after the film has ended. No one could have done it better!

5. Rajat Barmecha as Rohan Singh in "Udaan".

Anurag Kashyap Films

Rajat Barmecha's heart-wrenching performance in "Udaan" truly moved us to tears. His portrayal of Rohan, who aspires to be a writer but is forced to work in his control freak father's steel factory, will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This amazing actor definitely deserves more.

6. Vicky Kaushal as Deepak in "Masaan".

Phantom Films

Vicky Kaushal's career-defining performance in "Masaan" made us laugh and cry. He plays an engineering student who falls in love with an upper caste woman but their romance is overshadowed by his Dom lineage. It was so good to see this extraordinary actor finally get the praise that he was truly worthy of!

7. Rajkummar Rao as Shaurya in "Trapped".

Phantom Films

This man has given so many memorable performances over the last few years but "Trapped" really stands out. Rajkummar Rao's terrific performance drives the film and makes you feel his pain and anxiety. His portrayal of the ordeal and despair of a man trapped in his apartment will linger in your mind for a very long time.

8. Saif Ali Khan as Langda Tyagi in "Omkara".

Shemaroo Entertainment

Saif Ali Khan's depiction of Langda Tyagi in "Omkara" is the stuff of legends! He brought a certain rawness and authenticity to his character, especially with that shaved head and those stained teeth. The film is perhaps the best proof of his acting capabilities. Watch it if you haven't already!

9. Tillotama Shome as Ratna in "Sir".

Netflix

Tillotama Shome plays Ratna, a widowed domestic worker in Mumbai, who develops a romantic connection with her US-returned employer. Her nuanced and believable act makes the film a must-watch. Come on Bollywood! Give Shome her due already!

10. Pankaj Tripathi as Rudra Bhaiya in "Stree".

Maddock Films

"Sabka aadhar link hai iske paas!" — Remember this scene where Pankaj Tripathi's Rudra Bhaiya states that Stree knows everything about the villagers? Now, did you know that it was NOT a part of the script? Yes! Tripathi improvised it. The guy makes comedy look like a piece of cake.

11. Arshad Warsi as Circuit in "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S" and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai"

Vinod Chopra Productions

The "Munna Bhai" series wouldn't be half as amazing as it was, had it not been for the splendid Arshad Warsi who played Circuit, Sanjay Dutt's sidekick in the films. His mannerisms became (and continue to be) quite popular and so did his attire. I don't think this talented actor really gets his due in the industry.

12. Paresh Rawal as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in "Hera Pheri".

A. G. Films

“Yeh Baburao ka style hai.” — Paresh Rawal immortalised this dialogue and his character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte with this film. "Hera Pheri" went on to become a cult comedy (and gave birth to some iconic memes) and this phenomenal actor's performance was a major reason behind it. 

13. Jim Sarbh as Malik Kafur in "Padmaavat".

Bhansali Productions

"Aur kuch?" — One can't possibly forget Malik Kafur's mind blowing introduction scene in "Padmaavat". The performance itself was probably Jim Sarbh's best. Such a layered, nuanced, and stellar act! He left us wanting for more.

14. Naseeruddin Shah as Aniruddh in "Sparsh".

Basu Bhattacharya

Naseeruddin Shah's portrayal of an independent and self-respecting blind man in "Sparsh" is one of the finest we've seen in cinema from across the world. His act became a reference point for all actors playing visually impaired roles. It was because of his performance that stereotypical blind person portrayals have largely become a thing of the past.

15. Swara Bhasker as Anarkali in "Anaarkali Of Aarah".

Promodome Motion Pictures

Swara Bhasker breathes life into her role of Anarkali, an orchestra singer in Bihar's city of Aarah, who avenges her molester — a powerful man — when the police refuse to help her. Bhasker's feisty, strong-headed, and gutsy act makes this film a must-watch.

16. Sanjay Mishra as Rajesh Bauji in "Ankhon Dekhi".

Drishyam Films

Sanjay Mishra's portrayal of Bauji in "Ankhon Dekhi" is one of the most beautiful performances ever. He brings to life a man who only believes in what he sees and negates everything else. His terrific act is testimony to the range that this incredible actor is capable of as he has largely been limited to comic roles in Bollywood.

17. Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Dashrath Manjhi in "Manjhi - The Mountain Man".

Viacom 18 Motion Pictures

Nawazuddin Siddiqui breathes life into Dashrath Manjhi, a common man from Bihar who achieves the impossible by literally carving out a road through a mountain after his wife slips to her death while pregnant. Siddiqui's intense and effortless performance will tug at your heartstrings for sure.

18. Om Puri as Anant Velankar in "Ardh Satya".

Manmohan Shetty

The late Om Puri has given several unforgettable performances throughout his incredibly long career but his act in "Ardh Satya" has our heart. His depiction of an honest cop fighting the corrupt system won him accolades as well as a National Award.

19. Tabu as Mumtaz in "Chandni Bar".

Lata Mohan

Tabu plays a rural woman who is forced to migrate to Mumbai and become a bar dancer, following the death of her parents. Her stellar performance in the film not only won her critical acclaim but also the National Award for Best Actress. We don't think anyone could have played Mumtaz better, tbh!