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The Era of the Villain – 8 Times the Bad Guy Overshadowed the Hero
Gone are the days when villains were just obstacles for the hero to punch. In modern Bollywood, the antagonist often has the best dialogues, the coolest style, and sometimes, the loudest cheers in the theater. From psychological masterminds to brute beasts, here are 8 times the 'Bad Guy' stole the show—including the latest sensation from Dhurandhar.
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Akshaye Khanna (Dhurandhar)
The Calculating Mastermind In the just-released Dhurandhar, while Ranveer Singh brings the physical action, it is Akshaye Khanna who brings the chills. Playing a sophisticated, cold-blooded terror mastermind, Akshaye reminds us why he is one of the most underrated actors in the industry. His calm demeanor amidst the chaos makes him a terrifying adversary, proving once again that he owns the 'intelligent villain' trope.
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Bobby Deol (Animal)
The Silent Menace He didn't have a single dialogue, yet he broke the internet. As Abrar Haque in Animal, Bobby Deol was a revelation. His sheer screen presence, the 'Lord Bobby' swag, and that entry song (Jamal Kudu) turned a 15-minute role into a pop-culture phenomenon. He wasn't just fighting the hero; he was stealing his thunder.
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Ranveer Singh (Padmaavat)
The Gold Standard Ranveer Singh's portrayal of Alauddin Khilji is the benchmark for modern villainy. He was unhinged, animalistic, and terrifyingly charismatic. While Shahid Kapoor played the noble king, audiences walked out of the theater talking only about Khilji's madness. It was a performance so powerful it almost made us root for the bad guy.
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John Abraham (Pathaan)
The Anti-Hero with a Cause Jim was cool, stylish, and had a backstory that made you sympathize with him. John Abraham went toe-to-toe with Shah Rukh Khan, not just in combat but in swag. His character wasn't evil for the sake of it; he was a patriot betrayed by the system, making him one of the most compelling villains in the Spy Universe.
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Saif Ali Khan (Tanhaji)
The Eccentric Sadist As Udaybhan Singh Rathore, Saif Ali Khan was deliciously wicked. He brought a theatrical flair to the character -- laughing manically, eating crocodile meat, and mocking everyone around him. While Ajay Devgn played the stoic hero, Saif had all the fun, creating a villain we loved to hate.
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Emraan Hashmi (Tiger 3)
The Brains Over Brawn Facing Salman Khan in a fistfight is tough, so Emraan Hashmi played it smart. As Aatish Rehman, he was a cerebral villain - a former spy who knew exactly how to dismantle Tiger's life from the inside. His understated, intense performance provided the perfect gravitas to the high-octane action.
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Vijay Sethupathi (Jawan)
The 'Capitalist' Monster Kalee Gaikwad wasn't physically imposing, but he was terrifyingly real. Vijay Sethupathi brought his signature nonchalance to the role of a weapon dealer who sees death as just 'good business.' His casual delivery of threats made him far scarier than a screaming antagonist.
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Arjun Rampal (Ra.One)
The Digital Demon The movie might have had mixed reviews, but no one can deny that Arjun Rampal looked spectacular as Ra.One. With his sculpted physique and robotic menace, he literally embodied a video game boss. It remains one of the sleekest villain looks in Bollywood history.
