Bollywood has often focused on romance and spectacle, yet some actors have taken riskier paths. These performers stepped into the disturbed minds of drug addicts on-screen, showing addiction, denial and fragile recovery with rare honesty. Their work across films and streaming projects continues to shape how Indian viewers see substance abuse.
Playing a user of narcotics demands more than physical change. Actors must show altered thinking, broken relationships and mental collapse. Films like Udta Punjab, Sanju, Dev D, Baaghi 2 and the recent OTT release Dalal try to capture that spiral, using strong performances to anchor difficult material for audiences in India.
Actors and films portraying drug addicts on-screen
| Actor | Film / Series | Drug addicts on-screen role |
|---|---|---|
| Shahid Kapoor | Udta Punjab | Tommy Singh, also known as Gabru, a drug-addicted musician |
| Ranbir Kapoor | Sanju | A star whose life includes deep drug addiction and withdrawal |
| Prateik Babbar | Baaghi 2 | A violent, unstable drug addict and primary antagonist |
| Aditya Rawal | Dalal | A psychologically complex drug addict in a crime thriller |
| Abhay Deol | Dev D | A man seeking escape in drugs and alcohol |
Aditya Rawal and OTT portrayals of drug addicts on-screen
Aditya Rawal brings the most recent take on this subject in the OTT thriller Dalal. The character is a drug addict trapped inside a psychological crime drama. Aditya Rawal reportedly examined addiction patterns and emotional breakdowns, exploring how ego collapses, vulnerability rises and defence walls appear, which gives the role piercing realism.
Shahid Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor as drug addicts on-screen
Shahid Kapoor’s turn as Tommy Singh, also called Gabru, in Udta Punjab shows a performer committing fully. The film deals with youth drug abuse in Punjab. Shahid Kapoor is known for unusual choices. Here, the portrayal of both mental strain and physical dependence is so vivid that many consider it a career landmark.
Ranbir Kapoor’s work in Sanju tracks the full cycle of dependence and withdrawal. The film shows a drug addict during days of heavy use and during attempts to quit. Tremors, numbness and buried pain appear on-screen while the character fights the habit, reinforcing Ranbir Kapoor’s reputation as an actor with wide range.
Prateik Babbar’s role in Baaghi 2 is not the loudest part in terms of screen time, yet it stands out. Prateik Babbar plays a brash and threatening drug addict, almost psychotic in behaviour. The conviction in this performance turned the character into a credible main villain who lingers in audience memory.
Abhay Deol’s Dev D presents a different picture, where the character turns to drugs and alcohol for escape. Known for sinking into complex roles, Abhay Deol blurs the border between a disturbed drug addict and quiet inner rage. Together, these portrayals show how difficult, and rewarding, it can be to play someone battling addiction.