The protagonist’s virtues are celebrated because of the antagonist’s unapologetically malicious character. The villains’ acting and character depth, however, set them apart from the rest. It is a very uncommon event that the movie’s bad guy stays with us for a long period. Take a peek at some Bollywood flicks where the villains were far superior to the protagonists. We bring to you some negative characters who have overshadowed the positive character of Heroes, with their powerful acting. Have a Look!
Best Villains Of Bollywood Movies
1. Shah Rukh Khan played the antagonist in the Bollywood film “Darr” (1993)
Shah Rukh Khan played the antagonist in the Bollywood film “Darr” (1993). He portrayed the character of Rahul, an obsessive stalker who becomes increasingly dangerous and violent in his pursuit of the film’s female lead, played by Juhi Chawla. Khan’s portrayal of Rahul was widely appreciated by audiences and critics, even way more than the positive character played by Sunny Deol.
Rahul marked a turning point in his career as an actor. His performance in the film was praised for its intensity and psychological depth, and he went on to become one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema. The character of Rahul in “Darr” is considered one of the most iconic villains in Bollywood history, and it is often cited as one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most memorable performances.
2. Gabbar Singh from “Sholay” (1975)
Gabbar Singh, played by actor Amjad Khan, is considered one of the greatest villains in Indian cinema history. His portrayal of a ruthless dacoit leader in the film “Sholay” (1975) was so iconic that it overshadowed the performances of the film’s heroes, played by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. Gabbar Singh’s dialogue delivery and mannerisms became hugely popular and are still remembered and imitated by fans today.
3. Mogambo from “Mr India” (1987)
Mogambo, played by actor Amrish Puri, is another iconic villain in Indian cinema history. His portrayal of a megalomaniacal and sadistic terrorist in the film “Mr India” (1987) was so memorable that it overshadowed the performance of the film’s hero, played by Anil Kapoor. Mogambo’s catchphrase “Mogambo khush hua” became very popular and is still remembered by fans. The character has become a cultural icon and is often referenced in popular culture.
4. Kancha Cheena from “Agneepath” (2012)
Kancha Cheena, played by actor Sanjay Dutt, is another notable villain who overshadowed the hero in the Bollywood film “Agneepath” (2012). Kancha Cheena’s portrayal as a ruthless and evil gang lord was so convincing that it garnered praise from both audiences and critics. Hrithik Roshan played the role of the hero, but it was Kancha Cheena who stole the show with his powerful performance. Sanjay Dutt’s physical transformation for the role and his delivery of the character’s dialogues were particularly impressive.
5. Langda Tyagi from “Omkara” (2006)
Langda Tyagi, played by actor Saif Ali Khan, is a villainous character in the Bollywood film “Omkara” (2006) who overshadowed the hero played by Ajay Devgn. Langda Tyagi’s portrayal as a deceitful and manipulative subordinate of the film’s main antagonist, played by Naseeruddin Shah, was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Saif Ali Khan’s nuanced performance in the role earned him several awards and nominations. The character of Langda Tyagi has become a popular reference in Bollywood and is often cited as an example of a great negative character.
6. Dr Dang from “Karma” (1986)
Dr Dang, played by actor Anupam Kher, is a notable villain in the Bollywood film “Karma” (1986) who overshadowed the heroes played by Dilip Kumar and Anil Kapoor. Dr Dang’s portrayal as a cold and calculating terrorist leader was widely appreciated by audiences and critics. Anupam Kher’s performance in the role was particularly impressive, and his delivery of the character’s dialogues, including the famous “Kya aapne kabhi ishq kiya hai?” (Have you ever been in love?) line, became hugely popular. The character of Dr Dang is considered one of the most iconic villains in Indian cinema history.
7. Faizal Khan from “Gangs of Wasseypur” (2012)
There are several other characters in the film who could be considered villains and who have received widespread acclaim for their performances. These include: a) Ramadhir Singh, played by Tigmanshu Dhulia, is a powerful politician and a key antagonist in the film. b) Sultan Qureshi, played by Pankaj Tripathi, is a gangster and a rival of the film’s main protagonist. c) Faizal Khan, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is the son of the film’s main protagonist and who eventually takes over his father’s criminal empire. All of these characters have been praised for their nuanced performances and their ability to overshadow the film’s heroes, including Manoj Bajpayee’s character, Sardar Khan.
8. Bhiku Mhatre from “Satya” (1998)
Bhiku Mhatre, played by actor Manoj Bajpayee, is a notable villain in the Bollywood film “Satya” (1998) who overshadowed the hero played by J.D. Chakravarthy. Bhiku Mhatre’s portrayal as a charismatic and ruthless gangster was widely appreciated by audiences and critics. Manoj Bajpayee’s performance in the role was particularly impressive, and his delivery of the character’s dialogues, including the famous “Mumbai ka king kaun? Bhiku Mhatre!” (Who’s the king of Mumbai? Bhiku Mhatre!) line, became hugely popular. The character of Bhiku Mhatre is considered one of the most iconic villains in Indian cinema history.
9. Raavan from “Raavan” (2010)
Raavan, played by actor Abhishek Bachchan, is a notable villain in the Bollywood film “Raavan” (2010) who overshadowed the hero played by Vikram. Raavan’s portrayal as a complex and multi-layered character was widely appreciated by audiences and critics. Abhishek’s performance in the role was particularly impressive, and his ability to convey the character’s vulnerability and inner turmoil while also portraying his ferocity and rage was widely praised. The character of Raavan is considered one of the most memorable villains, and his performance in the film is often cited as one of Abhishek’s best.
10. Ballu from “Khalnayak” (1993)
Ballu, played by actor Sanjay Dutt, is a notable villain in the Bollywood film “Khalnayak” (1993) who overshadowed the hero played by Sanjay Dutt himself. Ballu’s portrayal as a charismatic and conflicted criminal was widely appreciated by audiences and critics. Sanjay Dutt’s performance in the role was particularly impressive, and his delivery of the character’s dialogues, including the famous “Nayak nahin khalnayak hoon main” (I am not a hero, I am a villain) line, became hugely popular. The character of Ballu is considered one of the most iconic villains in Indian cinema history, and the film’s success is often attributed in large part to Dutt’s performance in the role.
11. Khilji from “Padmavat” (2018)
Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of Khilji was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, with many describing his performance as one of the best villainous performances in Bollywood history. Some even went as far as to say that he overshadowed Shahid Kapoor’s performance in the film.
Which one is your favourite? Tell us in the comments below.
