Many of Bollywood’s biggest stars began their careers playing negative roles before becoming iconic heroes. Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha, for instance, made their film debuts portraying villains, later transitioning into leading men and firmly establishing themselves in the Hindi film industry.

In the early 1990s, Shah Rukh Khan also made his mark by taking on dark, intense roles in films like Baazigar, Darr, and Anjaam. These performances became defining moments in his early career and helped him rise as a formidable talent in Hindi cinema.

Shah Rukh Khan’s chilling portrayal of the obsessive lover in the 1993 romantic thriller Darr redefined the anti-hero in Bollywood. His intense performance captivated audiences and played a major role in the film’s blockbuster success.

Around the same time, Subhash Ghai’s 1993 film Khal Nayak became a nationwide sensation. Featuring Sanjay Dutt as Ballu, a notorious criminal, the film resonated with audiences. Its soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon, with songs such as Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, Nayak Nahi Khalnayak Hoon Main, and Palki Mein Hoke Sawar Chali Re dominating the airwaves.

Over one crore audio cassettes were sold, and the song Nayak Nahi Khalnayak became synonymous with Sanjay Dutt’s on-screen persona. During the film’s release, Sanjay Dutt was briefly imprisoned in connection with the 1992 Mumbai bombings.

He continued dubbing for the film after being granted bail. Despite the controversy, Khal Nayak was a massive box-office hit.

In 1994, Naseeruddin Shah shocked audiences by playing the antagonist Mr Jindal in Rajiv Rai’s action thriller Mohra. Known for his serious and intellectual roles, Naseeruddin Shah’s unexpected turn as a villain was widely praised.

The film also starred Suneil Shetty, Akshay Kumar, and Raveena Tandon, and was made on a modest budget of Rs 3 crore, going on to gross Rs 23 crore, becoming one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. Naseeruddin Shah again played a negative role in the 1996 film Himmat, although this film failed at the box office.

In 2004, Rajkumar Santoshi’s Khakee featured Ajay Devgn in one of his most memorable villainous roles. The film, now considered a cult classic, also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Tusshar Kapoor, and Atul Kulkarni. Aishwarya Rai also played a negative character, and Ajay Devgn won a Filmfare Award for his performance. Interestingly, Ajay Devgn’s mother-in-law, Tanuja, appeared in the film as well, although they had no scenes together.

In 2004 came Dhoom, a high-octane action film that gave villainy a stylish twist. Produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner and directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, it featured John Abraham as a charismatic super-thief. The film’s highlight was its use of superbikes and sleek action sequences. Co-starring Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, Esha Deol, and Rimi Sen, the film had a budget of around Rs 11 crore and grossed over Rs 77 crore, making it a massive success.

The Dhoom franchise went on to cast superstars in negative roles, Hrithik Roshan as a master thief in Dhoom 2 (2006), and Aamir Khan in a dual role as a circus artist-turned-robber in Dhoom 3 (2013). All instalments were major box office hits.

In 2006, Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish, a sequel to Koi… Mil Gaya, became a sensation. The film featured Naseeruddin Shah once again as the villain, playing the role of the sinister Dr Arya, which added depth and excitement to the superhero narrative. His performance was widely appreciated.

In 2012, Sanjay Dutt portrayed one of Bollywood’s most terrifying villains, Kancha Cheena, in the remake of the 1990 cult film Agneepath.

Originally played by Danny Denzongpa, the character of Kancha Cheena was reimagined in a darker, more menacing form.

Dharma Productions produced the film, with Hrithik Roshan in the lead. Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of the drug lord was chilling and memorable, earning him immense praise and contributing to the film’s box-office success.

Fast forward to 2018, Ranveer Singh delivered a career-defining performance as Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat.

The film, a historical epic centred on the legendary beauty and resilience of Queen Padmavati, saw Ranveer Singh take on a ferocious and unhinged villainous role that became his signature. His portrayal was lauded for its intensity and theatrical brilliance.