Few actors have undergone the scrutiny of audiences quite like Dulquer Salmaan. Despite the actor proving his versatility with impressive performances in many films, a section of viewers continues to call him out as a product of nepotism whenever his films fail at the box office. However, there is no doubting Dulquer Salmaan’s ability to entertain the audience and explore different layers in his characters. Here are some instances where Dulquer showcased his acting chops, beyond his debut in Second Show or the breakout role in Ustad Hotel. There are more examples of his ability as an actor, but the following titles stand out for the unique traits that the actor brings to the respective roles.
Bangalore Days (2014)
Dulquer convincingly portrays the brooding Aju, a biker with daddy issues, in Anjali Menon’s 2014 film. Aju’s silences make the same impact as his outbursts in the film. Dulquer also uses his signature charisma to a great effect, especially in scenes with Parvathy Thiruvothu’s character, his love interest, RJ Sarah. Aju’s interactions with Divya (Nazriya Nazim) and Kuttan (Nivin Pauly) are also full of charm. Despite Aju’s rough-around-the-edges nature, you never stop rooting for him, thanks partly to the relatability factor that Dulquer brings to the role.
Charlie (2015)
Dulquer portrays a larger-than-life, happy-go-lucky character in director Martin Prakkat’s 2015 film. Dulquer embodies the qualities of the titular hero like only he can, especially his endless optimism and constant drive to bring a smile on the faces of those around him. The actor also brings a mythical element to Charlie, a man whose will knows no bounds, with his aura as a star and commanding screen presence.
Kammatipaadam (2016)
A film where Dulquer Salmaan hardly smiles is perhaps hard to imagine for his admirers, especially his female fans, but this is exactly what he does in the 2016 Rajeev Ravi directorial. It is one of the few times where Dulquer has stood out in a multistarrer. He channels his intensity into a character simmering with rage at all the injustice around him. The actor would later explore this particular quality with greater impact in another film released in the same year.
Kali (2016)
Dulquer Salmaan excels as Siddharth, a man with a short fuse, in director Sameer Thahir’s film. Kali really showcases Dulquer’s ability to delve into his character’s intensity and volatility. He pulls off the character with a grey shade with ease. Sameer also extracts excellent performances from Sai Pallavi (as Dulquer’s heroine) and Chemban Vinod Jose, who plays the menacing antagonist in the film.
Mahanati (2018)
Dulquer portrays Gemini Ganesan in filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s 2018 feature. The character cheats on Savithri (Keerthy Suresh), and Dulquer effortlessly portrays Gemini Ganesan’s conflicts with her, her rising stardom, wealth, and acclamation among the audience. Dulquer brings out the nuances of the character, such as his jealousy and insecurity, in an authentic and measured manner.
Solo (2017)
Dulquer plays multiple characters in the 2017 anthology film, but the role who stands out from the rest is a gangster named Shiva. The actor makes the best use of his expressive eyes and ability to explore deep emotions without any dialogue. This is particularly evident in a scene where Shiva reacts to his father's premature death. This is another film without the trademark Dulquer Salmaan smile.
Chup: Revenge of the Artist (2022)
Dulquer Salmaan plays a florist with a feral side who haunts film critics in this R Balki directorial. Critics face the wrath of Dulquer's Danny in the film, a Guru Dutt fan with a traumatic childhood. Dulquer has often expressed his desire to do an unapologetic role, and while Danny in Chup is not one, it does show the actor's daring to explore new territory. The actor imbues the character with a sense of innocence and plenty of menace. It is terrifying when he oscillates between the charming and the chilling with ease.
Dulquer’s upcoming projects include the Tamil-Telugu bilingual Kaantha, the Telugu film Aakasam Lo Oka Tara, and I'm Game in Malayalam.