 Vikram signed on to collaborate again with Shankar for I , a romantic thriller opposite Amy Jackson , in early 2012 . Following hushed production developments , it was revealed that the actor would sport four significantly different looks in the film : a body builder , a beast , a model and a hunchback . He put on weight to portray the bodybuilder , sticking to a diet of protein and coffee , to ensure his muscles are defined on screen . Vikram subsequently lost weight to portray a model , before shaving his head and reducing his weight to 56 kilograms to portray the crippled hunchback . He changed his physique by eating small meals of egg whites and apples instead of regular food intakes , while engaging in an intensive weight loss regime to become thin . The cast and crew of the film reportedly struggled to recognise the actor at times , while he also stayed away from the media for close to a year when sporting the look . Taking almost three years for production , Vikram described the film " as the toughest he has ever done " and regularly suffered folliculitis as a result of the prosthetic make @-@ up he had to wear . The film opened amidst much expectation in January 2015 to mixed reviews , though critics gave Vikram 's portrayal of Lingesan , unanimously positive reviews . A critic from Times of India noted " Vikram bowls you over with a heart @-@ wrenching performance whether he is handsome or disfigured " , while The Hindu added his transformation was " laudable " , and that " Vikram wins hearts as the earnest @-@ to @-@ boot gym rat and as the strapping new model on the block , he floors the audience with his performance as Koonan , the deformed hunchback " . Similarly Rediff.com noted the actor " is truly impressive and deserves much applause " , while Sify.com added he " lived the role " . Despite mixed reviews , I performed well at the box office , as well as becoming the most successful Tamil film of all time in Kerala . He then worked on Vijay Milton 's road @-@ thriller , 10 Enradhukulla ( 2015 ) , which featured him as an unnamed race driver who goes on a road trip through India . Paired opposite Samantha , the film opened to mixed reviews and did not perform well at the box office . A critic from Sify.com however noted Vikram " breathes life to his role and his energy level is highly infectious " , adding that " the way he smiles , dances and fight is a treat for his fans " . Likewise a critic from The Hindu criticised the film 's script adding " it 's hard to see Vikram in this fluff " . Vikram is currently working simultaneously on two different projects , with the first release likely to be Iru Mugan , an action film directed by Anand Shankar , featuring him alongside Nayantara and Nithya Menen . He is also a part of Thiru 's Garuda , where he features alongside Kajal Aggarwal . 
