The success of movies depends largely on its characters. Movies may be forgotten but the characters are always remembered. And the interesting thing is that villains of Bollywood are equally praised as the hero by the audiences. Despite the negative role, they gain a special place for the viewers.
Let’s Recall Some Of Our Favourite Villains From Bollywood
1. Prem Chopra
The iconic dialogue, Prem Naam Hai Mera, Prem Chopra from the film Bobby. Prem Chopra has acted in over 320 films in 50 years. From his first film, Hum Hindustani in 1960 to films till date, he has caught everyone’s attention through dialogue delivery and he doesn’t seem to be an 80 year old man.
During the initial years of his career, in the 1960’s, Prem did not consider acting as a full time profession. Along with the Hindi industry, he was also a part of the Punjabi film industry. After Teesri Manzil and Upkaar, he was flooded with villain roles.
The period 1967-1994 was at peak for his roles as the main villain. Another famous dialogue is from the film Souten - "Main wo bala hoon jo sheshay se pathar ko todtee hai".
He was also quite noticeable in Waris (1969) and Do Jasoos (1975).
2. Pran Krishan Sikand
Ruling the Hindi cinema as a villain from 1960s to 1990s, Pran has appeared in over 350 films. He also played the lead in films like Khandaan (1942), Pilpili Saheb (1954) and Halaku (1956).
His best performances include Madhumati (1958), Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Upkar (1967), Shaheed (1965), Purab Aur Pashchim (1970), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969), Johny Mera Naam (1970),Victoria No. 203 (1972), Zanjeer (1973), Don (1978), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Duniya (1984).
There was a time when Pran was paid more than the lead actors. He brought the intense characters to life through his accent, hairstyle, expressions and movements.
‘Gajendra’ from Ram And Shyam was one of the darkest roles of his career, the dialogue was “Maalik ke saamne nazar jhuka kar rakh budtameez.”
3. Amjad Khan
Amjad Zakaria Khan worked for over 130 films in 20 years, the most famous being ‘Gabbar Singh’ in the 1975 classic Sholay and of ‘Dilawar’ in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978).
His unconventional and frightening dialogues changed the definition of villain. ‘Yeh haath humko dede thakur’, ‘Arre o Sambha, kitne aadmi the?’, ‘Door kisi gaon mein jab baccha rota hai toh uski maa kehti hai, so ja beta nahin to gabber aa jaega’.
4. Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri has played some remarkable negative roles in Indian and International film industry. Between 1967 and 2005, Puri has acted in more than 400 films. With husky masculine voice and horrifying expressions, Amrish Puri brings shivers down the spine.
He is best remembered as 'Mola Ram' in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) in Hollywood.
Amrish Puri’s famous villain roles include ‘Mogambo’ in Mr. India, ‘Bhujang’ in Tridev, ‘Thakral’ in Meri Jung, ‘Jagavar’ in Vidhaata, ‘Thakur Durjan Singh’ in Karan Arjun and ‘Barrister Chadda’ in Damini.
Puri has also featured in supporting positive characters in films like Phool Aur Kaante, Virasat, Gardish, China Gate, Ghatak and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.
5. Shakti Kapoor
The evil rapist of Bollywood, Shakti Kapoor has done more than 700 films throughout his career. During 1980s and 90s, he performed evil or comic duo with Kader Khan in over 100 films.
Shakti Kapoor established as an actor from Qurbani and Rocky. His famous dialogues are ‘Aaaooo Lolita’ from the movie Tohfa, ‘Nandu sabka bandhu, samajhta nahi hai yaar’ from the movie Raja Babu, ‘Main Nanha sa Chotta sa Bachcha Hoon" from the movie Chaalbaaz.
He has also acted in Bengali and Assamese films. His comic roles in Hindi cinema include Insaaf, Baap Numberi Beta Dus Numbri, Andaz Apna Apna, Chaal baz, Bol Radha Bol, Hungama, Chup Chup Ke, Hulchul, Malamal Weekly andBhagam Bhag.
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6. Gulshan Grover
The ‘Bad Man’ in Bollywood, Gulshan Grover has completed over 400 films. He is quite successful in International cinema as well.
His character ‘Kesariya Valeti’ in Ram Lakhan (1989) is one of his most cherished performances. Other notable performances include Mohra (1994), Aankhen (1993) and Sir (1993).
7. Danny Denzongpa
Danny has a career of 190 Hindi films since 1971. His most applauded performances include ‘Shera’ in Andar Bahar (1984), ‘SP Karan’ in Dharm Aur Qanoon (1984), ‘Raghuvir Singh’ in Kanoon Kya Karega (1984), ‘Thakur Maan Singh’ in Oonche Log (1985), ‘Gangwaa’ in Bhagwaan Dada (1986), ‘Kancha Cheena’ in Agneepath (1990), ‘Kaatya’ in Ghatak, ‘Bhaktawar’ in Hum (1991), ‘Chatur Singh’ in Krantiveer (1994), ‘Abhrush’ in Pukar (2000) and ‘Shankar Singhania’ as Indian.
Denzongpa was awarded 'Padma Shree' in 2003. He has also appeared in Nepali, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali films.
He also starred in Seven Years in Tibet alongside Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.
8. Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Sadashiv Dattaray Amrapurkar is known for his performances in Hindi and Marathi films. He has played different roles, from corrupt politician to evil landlord. His famous evil roles include Sadak (1990), Farishtay (1991) and Ishq (1997).
9. Ashutosh Rana
The total heartless character, psycho serial killer ‘Gokul Pandit’ in Dushman (1998).
The character brought us goosebumps in Sangharsh (1999) as ‘Lajja Shankar Pandey’.
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10. Ajit
Hamid Ali Khan, known by the name, Ajit. He has acted in 200 movies in almost 40 years. He is always seen as an educated, sophisticated, evil minded and heartless villain. It has also been seen that most of his gang members had Christian names like Peter, Robert, Michael.
Ajit is well known for his dialogues ‘Mona Darling’ from Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973) and ‘Lilly Don’t Be Silly’ fromZanjeer (1973).
Not just the attitude he carries, but also his style with cigars, golden hair and nightgowns have remarked him as one of the most recognized villains.
‘Sara shehar mujhe lion ke naam se jaanta hai’ is also popular from Kalicharan (1976).
No wonder, there is no fun in the film without villains. Long live the villains and keep entertaining us forever.