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Times villains outshined the heroes in Hindi cinema

Updated On: 14 December, 2025 02:12 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar

In Hindi cinema, villains have often stolen the spotlight, delivering performances so powerful that they eclipsed the heroes themselves. From iconic antagonists to morally complex anti-heroes, these characters proved that sometimes it’s the darkness that leaves the strongest impression  









In Hindi cinema, villains have often stolen the spotlight, delivering performances so powerful that they eclipsed the heroes themselves. From iconic antagonists to morally complex anti-heroes, these characters proved that sometimes it’s the darkness that leaves the strongest impression




 

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In Hindi cinema, villains have often stolen the spotlight, delivering performances so powerful that they eclipsed the heroes themselves. From iconic antagonists to morally complex anti-heroes, these characters proved that sometimes it’s the darkness that leaves the strongest impression  
<p><strong>Bobby Deol &ndash; Animal</strong></p>
<p>Bobby Deol&rsquo;s menacing, dialogue-free antagonist shocked audiences. His silent rage and physicality created a lasting impact despite limited screen time</p>

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Bobby Deol – Animal

Bobby Deol’s menacing, dialogue-free antagonist shocked audiences. His silent rage and physicality created a lasting impact despite limited screen time

<p><strong>Rakesh Mahadkar &ndash; Ek Villain</strong></p>
<p>Riteish Deshmukh shocked audiences by shedding his comic image. His portrayal of a disturbingly ordinary villain made the character terrifying. Rakesh Mahadkar became the soul of the film&rsquo;s darkness</p>

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Rakesh Mahadkar – Ek Villain

Riteish Deshmukh shocked audiences by shedding his comic image. His portrayal of a disturbingly ordinary villain made the character terrifying. Rakesh Mahadkar became the soul of the film’s darkness

<p><strong>Akshaye Khanna &ndash; Dhurandhar</strong></p>
<p>Akshaye Khanna delivered a chilling, restrained performance that stood out in a high-octane film.<br />His intelligence-driven villainy added layers to the narrative</p>

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Akshaye Khanna – Dhurandhar

Akshaye Khanna delivered a chilling, restrained performance that stood out in a high-octane film.
His intelligence-driven villainy added layers to the narrative

<p><strong>Kancha Cheena &ndash; Agneepath</strong></p>
<p>Sanjay Dutt&rsquo;s bald, brutal Kancha Cheena reimagined the classic villain for a new generation</p>

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Kancha Cheena – Agneepath

Sanjay Dutt’s bald, brutal Kancha Cheena reimagined the classic villain for a new generation

<p><strong>Danger Lanka &ndash; Singham Again</strong></p>
<p>Arjun Rampal&rsquo;s Danger Lanka emerged as a stylish, menacing antagonist who injected fresh energy into the Singham universe. With his cold demeanour and psychological edge, he posed a real threat unlike previous villains</p>

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Danger Lanka – Singham Again

Arjun Rampal’s Danger Lanka emerged as a stylish, menacing antagonist who injected fresh energy into the Singham universe. With his cold demeanour and psychological edge, he posed a real threat unlike previous villains

<p><strong>Alauddin Khilji &ndash; Padmaavat</strong></p>
<p>Ranveer Singh&rsquo;s ferocious portrayal of Alauddin Khilji was so commanding that it overshadowed the film&rsquo;s titular heroes</p>

7/15

Alauddin Khilji – Padmaavat

Ranveer Singh’s ferocious portrayal of Alauddin Khilji was so commanding that it overshadowed the film’s titular heroes

<p><strong>Rakesh Mahadkar &ndash; Ek Villain</strong></p>
<p>Riteish Deshmukh shocked audiences by shedding his comic image. His portrayal of a disturbingly ordinary villain made the character terrifying. Rakesh Mahadkar became the soul of the film&rsquo;s darkness</p>

8/15

Rakesh Mahadkar – Ek Villain

Riteish Deshmukh shocked audiences by shedding his comic image. His portrayal of a disturbingly ordinary villain made the character terrifying. Rakesh Mahadkar became the soul of the film’s darkness

<p><strong>Aryan (Mr A) &ndash; Dhoom 2</strong></p>
<p>Hrithik Roshan&rsquo;s stylish anti-hero blurred the lines between villainy and charm. With gravity-defying stunts and unmatched screen presence, he became the film&rsquo;s biggest attraction. Aryan proved that sometimes, audiences root for the villain more than the cops</p>

9/15

Aryan (Mr A) – Dhoom 2

Hrithik Roshan’s stylish anti-hero blurred the lines between villainy and charm. With gravity-defying stunts and unmatched screen presence, he became the film’s biggest attraction. Aryan proved that sometimes, audiences root for the villain more than the cops

<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Mogambo &ndash; Mr India</strong></p>
<p>Amrish Puri&rsquo;s Mogambo set the template for theatrical, larger-than-life villains. His iconic line, &ldquo;Mogambo khush hua,&rdquo; became immortal</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Mogambo – Mr India

Amrish Puri’s Mogambo set the template for theatrical, larger-than-life villains. His iconic line, “Mogambo khush hua,” became immortal

 

<p><strong>Shakaal &ndash; Shaan</strong></p>
<p>Kulbhushan Kharbanda&rsquo;s Shakaal was suave, sinister, and unforgettable. His lair, monologues, and chess-playing villainy added flair to the narrative. Shakaal stood out as the film&rsquo;s most distinctive character</p>

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Shakaal – Shaan

Kulbhushan Kharbanda’s Shakaal was suave, sinister, and unforgettable. His lair, monologues, and chess-playing villainy added flair to the narrative. Shakaal stood out as the film’s most distinctive character

<p><strong>Langda Tyagi &ndash; Omkara</strong></p>
<p>Saif Ali Khan&rsquo;s Langda Tyagi redefined the Bollywood villain with quiet menace and ruthless ambition.<br />His morally corrupt, deeply human portrayal earned him critical acclaim and a National Award. Even years later, Langda Tyagi remains more memorable than the film&rsquo;s protagonists</p>

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Langda Tyagi – Omkara

Saif Ali Khan’s Langda Tyagi redefined the Bollywood villain with quiet menace and ruthless ambition.
His morally corrupt, deeply human portrayal earned him critical acclaim and a National Award. Even years later, Langda Tyagi remains more memorable than the film’s protagonists

<p><strong>Rahul Mehra &ndash; Darr</strong></p>
<p>Shah Rukh Khan&rsquo;s obsessive lover transformed the antagonist into the emotional core of the film.<br />His haunting performance shifted audience sympathy in unexpected ways</p>

13/15

Rahul Mehra – Darr

Shah Rukh Khan’s obsessive lover transformed the antagonist into the emotional core of the film.
His haunting performance shifted audience sympathy in unexpected ways

<p><strong>Sonia &ndash; Aitraaz&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>Lara Dutta&rsquo;s Sonia was a rare female antagonist who stunned audiences with her emotional volatility</p>

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Sonia – Aitraaz 

Lara Dutta’s Sonia was a rare female antagonist who stunned audiences with her emotional volatility

<p><strong>Gabbar Singh &ndash; Sholay</strong></p>
<p>Amjad Khan&rsquo;s Gabbar Singh is the gold standard of Hindi cinema villains. His dialogues, laughter, and terrifying presence completely eclipsed the film&rsquo;s heroes. Gabbar didn&rsquo;t just scare audiences&mdash;he became part of Indian pop culture forever</p>

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Gabbar Singh – Sholay

Amjad Khan’s Gabbar Singh is the gold standard of Hindi cinema villains. His dialogues, laughter, and terrifying presence completely eclipsed the film’s heroes. Gabbar didn’t just scare audiences—he became part of Indian pop culture forever

Photo of Day

Breaking barriers and building pyramids — Women power in action!

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Sashastra Seema Bal’s (SSB) Daredevils team performs during rehearsals for the Republic Day Parade, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

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