Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; May 26, 2017)

After going unrecognisable with heavy prosthetics in Raabta, Rajkummar Rao is experimenting with his look yet again for an upcoming web series based on freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. This time around, he has decided to ditch prosthetic make-up and opt for a one-time solution — the actor has shaved the crown of his head to look convincing.

Says a source, “When Rajkummar gave his nod to the web series, he thought of sporting a semi-bald look as value addition to his appearance. He takes his roles seriously and doesn’t hold back from putting in extra effort to make them more relatable and interesting.” The show, directed by Hansal Mehta, will be an attempt to present the life and struggle of Bose to the current generation.

Bose is credited with revamping the Indian National Army, whose aim was to secure India’s independence from the British rule. Bose was fair and bespectacled, his wide forehead and a receding hairline being distinguishable features. That’s what Rao set out to achieve. “We tried prosthetics, but it wasn’t working for me. Playing Bose was a huge responsibility and I didn’t want to go wrong. It was an impromptu decision to go shave,” says the actor, adding that his well-wishers advised him to give it a second thought. “But I had made up my mind. It isn’t that big a deal. I did what had to be done.”