When they are too involved in a character, actors could become someone else. A sociable person may become lonely. A level-headed person may become intemperate. NTR, for example, almost became Jai during the making of 'Jai Lava Kusa'.

Keerthy Suresh, who is probably going to win several awards for her performance in 'Mahanati', looked like a sad person for many days during the making of the biopic. To quote her, "Savitri amma takes to alcohol after a turning point in her life.

I was feeling heavy and depressed while I shot for those portions. I ate little. I spent lonely nights in the hotel room, sad as I was. A talkative person that I am, I turned quiet. I didn't even realize it till a few Assistant Directors told me so," the star actress tells an English-language daily.

'Mahanati', directed by Nag Ashwin, hit the screens last Wednesday. It's on its way to becoming one of the biggest hits of the year.