The definition of cinema has evolved with time, and things are no longer as they once were, while previously, the roles of an actor and a villain were distinct. Now, actors who once romanced on screen are embracing villainy, and this shift is being widely appreciated by audiences. A deep analysis reveals the intricacies of this trend.
The Evolving Narrative of Bollywood
Many actors from the 80s and 90s era of the Bollywood film industry built a strong fan base with their brilliant acting. Several of these actors initially starred in romantic and action films, leaving their mark as heroes in the hearts of the audience, while however, responding to the demands of changing times and the evolving cinematic landscape, these stars have adapted their characters and upgraded their role selections. The industry is no longer the same, and audience demands have also shifted. Consequently, many artists who have been part of the industry for over two. Decades are making every possible effort to maintain their active presence in cinemas. Actors like Sanjay Dutt to Emraan Hashmi, who once romanced on screen, are now taking on villainous roles and making a significant impact. Several examples of this trend have emerged in recent years.
Sanjay Dutt: The Pioneer of the Villainous Shift
Sanjay Dutt is an actor who has earned the trust of his fans through his versatile acting. He once played romantic and lead action hero roles. However, in recent years, he has been seen playing villainous characters. He often takes on lead villain roles, and his acting in these parts is highly appreciated. In fact, Sanjay Dutt initiated the trend of heroes turning into villains, while he appeared as the lead villain Kancha Cheena in the 2012 film Agneepath, a role that was immensely popular. Prior to this, he had also played a lead villain in the film Khalnayak, while the actor has played villainous roles in 9 films throughout his career. This includes the role of Adheera in KGF Chapter 2, a film that collected over 1000 crores. Subsequently, he was seen as Daroga Shuddh Singh in the film Shamshera, which didn't perform well at the box office, while he also played the lead villain in Thalapathy Vijay's film Leo, which was a hit. On top of that, he appeared in a negative shade role in the film Vaastav, which was also highly appreciated. He's now set to play a similar role in the upcoming film Dhurandhar.
Bobby Deol: Reinventing Image with Negative Shades
Bobby Deol was also a romantic hero of his time, captivating audiences with his looks and style. However, after the Aashram series, the actor completely transformed his role selection. He's now primarily seen in negative roles, while he has appeared as a villain in 7 films and currently has several villainous roles in hand. So far, Bobby Deol has been seen in villainous roles in films like Animal, Kanguva, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, and Daku Maharaj. He has also excelled in OTT projects like Aashram and Love Hostel, while his film Animal was highly successful in its villainous role, though most of his other villain-centric films have not achieved similar success. Despite this, he remains a promising actor capable of adapting to any role.
Saif Ali Khan: The Nawab's Darker Side
Saif Ali Khan also began his career as a romantic actor, and his filmography includes numerous romantic roles. However, the actor has played several negative roles in recent times, while he achieved success with his portrayal of Langda Tyagi in the film Omkara. Since then, he has taken on similar roles in multiple films. He played the lead role of Raavan in the high-budget film Adipurush, made with a budget of 600 crores, but the film didn't achieve significant success, while subsequently, he appeared in a similar role in Jr. NTR's film Devara, which proved to be successful. His role as the lead villain in the film Laal Kaptaan was also noted, but the film failed. In total, he has appeared in 8 films as a villain, with only 2 of them performing successfully.
Jackie Shroff: The Veteran's Enduring Villainy
Jackie Shroff has been in the film industry for four decades, making him the most senior actor in this list. At 68 years old, he continues to play lead villain roles in films, and he's finding success in them. The actor has played villainous roles in 6 films so far, and he has been appreciated in 4 of them. He has portrayed villains in films like Sooryavanshi, Happy New Year, Mission Kashmir, Singham Again, and Radhe. All these films were successful in earning good revenue. Also, he played a villain in the film Baby John, but this film didn't achieve much success and flopped.
Emraan Hashmi: From Serial Kisser to Sinister Antagonist
Regarding actor Emraan Hashmi, he was also known for doing romantic films at the beginning of his career. He still has a fan following for his romantic films. However, he's now known for playing villainous roles in his movies. Looking at his track record in recent times, he has played several villainous roles. This includes Salman Khan's film Tiger, which was a superhit. On top of that, he recently played a villain in the film OG, but the film didn't perform well. He was also in a villainous role in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, and that film was also a superhit. He played a villain in the film Chehre, but this film didn't achieve much success.
The Future of Evolving Characters
It's evident that the boundaries of characters for actors in Bollywood are now breaking down. Audiences are also moving beyond traditional hero-heroine roles, preferring complex characters with grey shades. These actors have demonstrated their versatility, proving that an artist can adapt to any role, provided they perform it with complete honesty and dedication. This trend isn't only giving new life to actors' careers but also opening new avenues for Indian cinema, where story and character are paramount.
