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Divyanka Tripathi added an exciting twist to her role in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein by taking on the guise of a Sikh man to unravel a criminal conspiracy.
Rani Mukerji transformed herself into a Sikh man for her 2009 film Dil Bole Hadippa. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
Actors usually bank on things that have worked for them and only a few take the risk of thinking out of the box with their onscreen presence. Only a handful of people in the entertainment industry have taken the risk of cross-dressing. While it’s common for male actors to be seen dressed as women in various ethnic or modern attires, examples of such cross-dressing are less common when it comes to actresses.
But there have also been instances of actresses taking the lead and trying something different and new on-screen, ditching their usual saree and heavy jewels for pagdi (turban).
These unique portrayals added new dimensions to the storylines of their projects, mixing strength and defiance against societal norms. From Bollywood films to Indian television shows, many actresses have taken up the challenge of portraying a man with sheer authenticity, which left a lasting impression on audiences. Check out the list of five most memorable performances of actresses in turbans.
Brinda Dahal in Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya
Brinda Dahal disguised herself as a Sardarji in Sun Neo’s serial Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya. In the show, her character Vaishnavi adopts the Pagdi as a clever ruse in her efforts to prevent Kartik’s wedding to Tina. Her portrayal delivered a critical twist in the storyline.
Divyanka Tripathi in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein
To date, Divyanka Tripathi is known for her role as Ishita Bhalla in Star Plus’ hit show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. Once, the actress added an exciting twist to her role by taking on the guise of a Sikh man to unravel a criminal conspiracy. Fans praised Divyanka’s convincing portrayal, applauding her ability to embrace such an unconventional transformation with ease.
Radhika Muthukumar in Main Dil Tum Dhadkan
Radhika Muthukumar who features in Sheemaroo’s serial Main Dil Tum Dhadkan captivated audiences with her unexpected Sardarji transformation. The actress adopted the get-up of a Sikh man, donning a turban and beard. The motive behind her disguise was to uncover Baba’s sinister motives against women, which brought a thrilling twist to the show.
Rani Mukerji in Dil Bole Hadippa!
No such list will be complete without the mention of Rani Mukerji. In the 2009 sports drama, Rani Mukerji in Dil Bole Hadippa!, she disguised herself as a Sikh man with a turban and beard. Reason? Rani’s character, Veera, wanted to play cricket, but she belonged to a village where women were not allowed to play. Hence, she opted for the disguise to fulfil her dream of playing cricket in the big league. Rani’s role in the film remains one of her best on-screen performances.
Shraddha Arya and Anjum Fakih in Kundali Bhagya
Once, for a twist in the recently-ended show Kudali Bhagya, Shraddha Arya and Anjum Fakih disguised themselves as Sikh men. The two actresses adopted turban-clad personas to sneak into Arjun’s house and uncover his secrets. This particular storyline of the serial received much love from the audience.
