What made 66-year-old Amitabh Bachchan, in spite of surpassing all cinematic excellence, take the trouble of playing a child afflicted with progeria in Paa (2009)? Why did the sensational Priyanka Chopra at the peak of her career shed her glamorous avatar to play an autistic Jhilmil in the recently-released Barfi?

The actors probably want to break free from stereotyped roles and their larger-than-life image and do something different to fulfil their creative pursuits and display their acting skills. Odia cinema’s heartthrob Sabyasachi Mishra, too, is an artiste who wants the artiste in him do all the talking. In his latest movie, Om Sai Ram, he not only plays an honest cop, but also pulls off a sardar and clown look in different sequences of the film.

The actor is known for his appetite to gorge on meaty characters.

Earlier in his 2010 flick Megha Sabari Re Asiba Pheri, he was seen as a very old priest. In Sasura Ghara Zindabad, apart from playing the protagonist Raja, he also essayed the character of Rani —his female alter ego. Then came Chatire Lekhichi Tori Naa, where he played a chained lunatic with shabby hair. He also carried the overweight guy’s look in Love Dot Com with relative ease.

His penchant to experiment with looks and characters has earned Sabyasachi many fans. The actor is always enthusiastic about playing out-of-the-box characters.

“I am very meticulous about the look of my character. I sit for long discussions with the writers, make-up artistes, costume designers and directors every time I get a chance to play an unusual role. Unless we get the right look, the audience will not identify with the character. There are celebrities, who don’t like their macho look being played around with, but I try to get under the skin of the role I am playing,” said the actor who made his debut with Pagala Premi in 2007.

Putting on or losing weight, experimenting with his mane, looking weird and yet emoting are the challenges in trying out different appearances, said Sabyasachi.

Asked about how he prepares for such roles, he said: “I observe a lot. Once, on our way to Manali for a shoot of Tora Mora Jodi Sundara, our bus broke down. We had to wait at a tea kiosk for a while where I noticed an insane fellow blabbering. I took out my phone and took his pictures. Later, while playing a similar role, I used him as a reference point.”

The actor has very high regard for veteran film personality Mihir Das. “He has played such diverse characters in his acting career. Among other actors, Kamal Hassan and Aamir Khan are actors to look up to. Among Hollywood actors, Jim Carrey and Johnny Depp, I feel, are the most versatile actors. They can portray any role effortlessly. I hope one day I would be able to deliver a performance of that level,” said the former brand ambassador of IPL team Deccan Chargers.