While we mostly root for the hero in a typical movie, there have been a
number of times when the villains of the film just grabbed our attention and
did not let go. That, we think, is the sign of a great actor - the ability to
portray someone vile, and yet, manage to be the highlight of the film. So much
so that after so many years audiences remember the dialogues, the mannerisms, and the character of the villain, rather than the hero.
Here are 7 villains from Bollywood movies that stole the spotlight from the movie hero, and became icons for fans of Bollywood.
1. Amjad Khan As Gabbar In Sholay, 1975
If Gabbar doesn’t
define villain, we don’t know what does. Although Amitabh Bachchan & Dharmendra gave a stunning
performance in Sholay, the film was all about Gabbar. Amjad Khan, who
was skeptical about playing such a vile baddy, gave one of the best
performances of his illustrious career. Gabbar Singh is one of the most loved movie characters of
all time. Sholay wouldn’t have been Sholay without Gabbar’s character. Although
a villain, Gabbar was the hero of the film. So much mesmerizing was the character, that decades after
the film was released, people still remember, and enjoy the menacing
performance of Amjad Khan as ‘Gabbar’ in the movie ‘Sholay’.
2. Danny Denzongpa As Kancha In Angeepath, 1990
There
has been no villain that was as stylish and sophisticated as Danny Dengzopa's
Kancha Cheena. The older Agneepath, unfortunately, was a dud at the box office,
but both, critics and audiences believed that the film had some of the best
performances from its actors, Amitabh & Danny. Till this day, Danny's
suave, and panache as a drug lord is something that hasn't been replicated in
Bollywood.
3. Amrish Puri As Mogambo In Mr. India, 1987
Amrish Puri's portrayal as Mogambo in Mr. India is considered by many as one of the most iconic performances as a villain in Hindi films. A rather clichéd villain, Mogambo had a stick, a majestic dress, and wanted to rule the world. His minions were quite obedient and would jump into acid on one call by Mogambo. The true definition of an evil and cruel villain, he also had a good sense of humor. It is almost as if he was pulled out of a hilarious comic strip. The character was the quintessential Indian villain, and for a lot of years to follow, there were a number of films that had the same model for a villain, albeit with a few minor tweaks.
4. Sanjay Dutt As Kancha
In Agneepath, 2012
While Danny Dengzongpa
portrayed Kancha as a very suave and sophisticated villain, Sanjay Dutt's
Kancha was the exact opposite. Instead of sipping on a 35-year-old scotch,
Dutt's Kancha preferred guzzling moonshine. The two portrayals were as
different as chalk and cheese. And yet, both of them were equally powerful and
menacing.
5. Tigmanshu Dhulia As Ramadhir Singh In Gangs Of Wasseypur, 2012
Both of the Gangs Of Wasseypur films had a number of iconic characters, and they were all baddies in some way or the other. But Tigmanshu Dhulia's Ramadhir Singh was just a class apart. The manner in which he imbibed the character, and put it on the screen is truly remarkable.
6. Ashutosh Rana As Lajja Shankar Pandey In Sangharsh, 1999
Ashutosh Rana is one of the most understated actors we have ever had. His portrayal of the psychotic killer Lajja Shankar Pandey in Sangharsh is one of the most menacing characters ever to have been portrayed in Indian cinema. The scene in which he ululates in the film is legit one of the scariest scenes shot in Bollywood.
