MUMBAI:

Whether they are seasoned stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Hema Malini or new talents like Bipasha Basu, Riteish Deshmukh, all actors have at some point in their career learnt new skills to make their roles convincing.

Let us have a look at the different skills learnt by some actors:

Amitabh Bachchan: For the first time in my career I had to learn sign language for Sanjay Bhansali’s Black. I think this silent but utterly eloquent way of communicating helped me become a better human being and actor.

Shabana Azmi: For Morning Raga I had to master Carnatic music. It was a terrifying and frustrating learning process. But it felt very exhilarating when I got it right.

Hema Malini: For Kamal Amrohi’s Razia Sultan I had to learn to speak Urdu and I really enjoyed myself. Ironically, I hardly spoke in the film.

Bipasha Basu: For Dhoom 2 I finally learnt to swim, as it was required for a surfing shot. Finally, I didn’t have to apply my new skill because the sea was too rough. But at least I learnt how to swim.

Lara Dutta: I had to learn to speak French for Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. I absolutely loved it. I got to learn the cheesiest pick-up lines.

Riteish Deshmukh: For Anubhav Sinha’s Cash I had to learn street luge. It’s actually lying on a skateboard and chasing cars. Risky but exciting!

R Madhavan: I have had to learn just one skill as an actor for Tamil version of Mani Ratnam’s Yuva. For the role of the street lout I had to walk talk and abuse like a goonda. I spent days with guys in the chawls, told them to brief me on the art of appearing uncouth on screen.

Raima Sen: For Aparna Sen’s The Japanese Wife I learnt how to do domestic chores. My character actually had to look like she does house work. So I did the actual cleaning and sweeping every day till these chores were ingrained in me. And I had to look graceful while doing it.