Ankur Pathak (MID-DAY; February 13, 2014)

Vir Das is best known for playing the hero’s goofy friend in films like Delhi Belly, Go Goa Gone and the upcoming Shaadi Ke Side Effects. But now the stand-up comedian has decided to move away from his comfort zone. In National Award-winning director Shivaji Lotan Patil film, tentatively titled 1984, he will be seen playing a Sikh character and Soha Ali Khan will play his love interest. A source close to the film's production revealed, “Vir will be growing a beard and has been told to lose weight since he plays a riot victim. The film is set in the backdrop of the anti-Sikh riots triggered by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.” The source added that the dramatic thriller is expected to roll next month and should release later in the year.