New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- Dwayne Johnson is trading blockbuster bravado for raw emotion in 'The Smashing Machine', a dramatic departure from the high-octane roles that have defined his career. Directed by Bennie Safdie and produced by indie powerhouse A24, the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to a standing ovation and early Oscar buzz.

"This transformation was something I was really hungry to do," Johnson said of his uncharacteristic starring turn in Safdie's visceral drama. "I had been very fortunate to have the career that I've had over the years and to make the films that I've made, but there was just a voice inside of me, a little voice that said, 'Well, what if I could do more - I want to do more and what does that look like?'...