In Indian cinema, heroes are often celebrated for their charm, action sequences, and emotional depth. However, some actors have broken their heroic mold by taking on negative roles, shocking audiences and redefining their image. These transformations not only showcased their versatility but also proved that a great villain can sometimes overshadow even the protagonist. Here’s a look at seven Indian actors who turned villains for the first time and left an unforgettable impact.
1. Shah Rukh Khan – Darr (1993)
Before he became the undisputed King of Romance, Shah Rukh Khan stunned audiences with his chilling performance as an obsessive lover in Darr. His portrayal of Rahul, a man dangerously obsessed with a woman already engaged to someone else, sent shivers down the audience’s spine. Khan’s performance, especially his eerie dialogue delivery—“K-k-k-Kiran”—became iconic. His ability to switch between innocence and insanity made Darr a psychological thriller ahead of its time. Despite being relatively new in Bollywood, he overshadowed Sunny Deol, the film’s actual hero, proving that villains could be as charismatic as heroes.
Impact: Shah Rukh’s performance in Darr paved the way for more negative roles in Baazigar (1993) and Anjaam (1994) before he transitioned into his romantic hero phase.
2. Saif Ali Khan – Omkara (2006)
Saif Ali Khan’s transformation into Langda Tyagi, a manipulative and ruthless villain in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara, was a career-defining moment. Up until then, Saif was primarily seen in chocolate boy and comic roles, often typecast as the urban, stylish hero. With Omkara, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, Saif shocked audiences by completely shedding his polished image. His rustic accent, bald look, and cunning nature made Langda one of Bollywood’s most iconic villains. His power-hungry and jealous nature drove the film’s plot, leading to its tragic ending.
Impact: Saif received widespread critical acclaim and won multiple awards for his performance. This film changed his career trajectory, helping him bag serious and intense roles in future projects.
3. Riteish Deshmukh – Ek Villain (2014)
Riteish Deshmukh was known for his comic timing and lighthearted roles when he decided to take a dark and disturbing turn in Ek Villain. He played Rakesh Mahadkar, a seemingly ordinary man who secretly turns into a cold-blooded serial killer, targeting women who humiliate him. His portrayal of a meek, frustrated middle-class man with a monstrous side was both terrifying and emotionally compelling. Audiences were used to seeing him in comedies like Housefull and Dhamaal, making his chilling transformation even more shocking.
Impact: His performance was widely praised, and it marked a turning point in his career. He later took on more intense roles, including Marjaavaan (2019), where he played another villainous role.
4. Hrithik Roshan – Dhoom 2 (2006)
Hrithik Roshan, one of Bollywood’s most bankable action heroes, stunned fans with his sophisticated, cunning, and stylish villainous role in Dhoom 2. Playing Aryan/Mr. A, an international master thief, Hrithik stole not just priceless artifacts but also the spotlight from the film’s lead, Abhishek Bachchan. What made his role unique was that he wasn’t a traditional villain. His charisma, intelligence, and thrilling heist sequences made him more of an anti-hero than a villain. His chemistry with Aishwarya Rai and larger-than-life action sequences made Aryan one of the most stylish antagonists in Indian cinema.
Impact: Hrithik’s performance set a new benchmark for suave, sophisticated villains. Despite playing grey-shaded roles in later films like War (2019), his portrayal in Dhoom 2 remains one of his most iconic.
5. Ranveer Singh – Padmaavat (2018)
Ranveer Singh is known for his energetic, flamboyant, and heroic roles, but he completely transformed himself for Padmaavat, playing the tyrannical and barbaric Sultan Alauddin Khilji. His role was brutal, unhinged, and power-hungry, far removed from his real-life fun-loving personality. From his intense body language to his haunting expressions and violent outbursts, Ranveer made Khilji one of the most memorable and dreaded villains in Bollywood history. His obsession with Rani Padmavati and his ruthless ambition made him a truly menacing figure.
Impact: His performance won him multiple awards, and it solidified his status as one of Bollywood’s most fearless actors. Many consider Khilji to be one of Bollywood’s best modern-day villains.
6. Prakash Raj – Singham (2011)
Prakash Raj had already made a name for himself as a versatile antagonist in South Indian cinema, but it was his Bollywood debut as Jaikant Shikre in Singham that introduced him to Hindi audiences as a menacing villain. Jaikant Shikre, a corrupt and arrogant politician, was the perfect nemesis to Ajay Devgn’s righteous cop. His mix of dark humor, rage, and power-hungry tactics made him a highly entertaining villain. His dialogues, particularly the line “Aata majhi satakli,” became hugely popular.
Impact: Prakash Raj’s success in Singham led to him being cast as the antagonist in several other Bollywood films like Dabangg 2 and Policegiri, cementing his place as one of India’s most celebrated villains.
7. Vijay Sethupathi – Master (2021)
Vijay Sethupathi, a powerhouse performer in Tamil cinema, took on his first full-fledged negative role in Master opposite Thalapathy Vijay. His portrayal of Bhavani, a cruel gangster who uses juvenile criminals to expand his empire, was spine-chilling. What made Sethupathi’s performance unique was his casual, almost nonchalant cruelty. Unlike traditional villains, Bhavani didn’t scream or overact—his cold-blooded, smirking villainy made him even more terrifying. The contrast between his calm demeanor and his violent actions made the character unforgettable.
Impact: The film was a blockbuster, and Sethupathi’s villainous act was widely appreciated. His popularity skyrocketed, leading to Bollywood casting him in films like Merry Christmas (2024).
Conclusion:
A great villain can elevate a film just as much as a great hero. When actors known for their romantic, comic, or action-hero roles step into negative characters, they bring a fresh perspective that can leave a lasting impact. These seven actors took bold risks by embracing villainous roles for the first time, and their transformations not only won them critical acclaim but also redefined their careers. Their performances proved that in cinema, it’s not just the hero that makes a film iconic—it’s the villain too.
