15 Bollywood Villains who are ‘Badass’

For many years Indian cinema has been a playground for villains. The negative and entertainment aspects of Bollywood villains have always added masala to films.

Villainous characters have generated fear, hatred and power amongst audiences through the iconic roles they have portrayed.

On-screen we have seen Bollywood villains evolving in different shades. Many of the bad masters have appeared as smart, crafty, modern, handsome and scary.

Here’s a small tribute to 15 timeless Bollywood villains:

1. Krishan Niranjan Singh (aka K.N. Singh)

K.N. Singh was one of the earliest and most memorable bad guys of Bollywood.

Playing the brutal ‘Jagga’ in Raj Kapoor’s magnum opus Awara (1951), he said powerful dialogues like: “Sharam sharifon ko aati hai, chor aur daaku ko nahin.”

Singh’s menacing tall frame and sharp eyes intimidated audiences. With his special suiting style and distinctive voice, he was known for portraying a ‘gentleman’ type of villain.

2. Pran Krishan Sikand

Pran brought many of his intense shady characters to life through various accents, hairstyles, facial looks and mannerisms.

Pran had countless unparalleled performances to his credit, including the cruel and dreaded ‘Raja Ugra Narayan’ in Madhumati (1958).

One of the darkest roles of his career was ‘Gajendra’ from Ram Aur Shyam (1968), which comprised the famous dialogue: “Maalik ke saamne nazar jhuka kar rakh budtameez.”

3. Ajit

Ajit was a suave villain known for his supreme dialogues, including: “Mona darling,” from Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973) and: “Lilly don’t be silly,” in Zanjeer (1973).

His acting and forceful dialogue in Kalicharan (1976) is often remembered: “Sara shehar mujhe lion ke naam se jaanta hai.”

Ajit’s stylish acting along with his golden wigs, cigars and nightgowns made him one of the most dashing villains of Bollywood.

4. Prem Chopra

Prem Chopra’s vicious impact combined with his unique style of dialogues made him look more dangerous on-screen.

He added a new dimension to his dirty-minded roles with the famous dialogue: “Prem naam hai mera, Prem Chopra,” in Bobby (1973).

His devious acts and greedy desires were quite noticeable in Waris (1969) and Do Jasoos (1975).

5. Amjad Khan

Lacking total empathy in his character ‘Gabbar Singh’ from Sholay (1975), Amjad Khan’s fantastic performance as the dacoit leader shot him to overnight fame.

Changing the definition of villain, Amjad stole the thunder with his unconventional and frightening dialogues, including: “Yeh haath humko dede thakur.”

Khan outplayed many other baddies with roles such as ‘Zoravar’ in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978).

6. Amrish Puri

Amrish Puri sent shivers down the spine with his husky masculine voice, horrifying appearance, sadistic nature and fierce eyes.

His acting prowess and famous dialogue: “Mogambo Khush Hua,” in Mr India (1987) elevated his status to new heights.

Puri delivered impeccable performances in films such as Karan Arjun (1996) and Baadshah (1999).

7. Kulbhushan Kharbanda

Inspired by the James Bond movies, Kulbhushan Kharbanda played the westernised villain ‘Shakaal’ in Shaan (1980).

With a cheeky on-screen smile; Kulbhushan delivered sophisticated dialogues such as: “Yeh zahreeli gas dheere dheere mehfil ko aur rangeen banati rahegi.”

He also performed villainous roles in Bulandi (1981) and Prem Rog (1982).

8. Shakti Kapoor

Shakti Kapoor was recognised for portraying the evil rapist in Bollywood films. Kapoor turned into a star overnight after a remarkable performance in Feroz Khan’s Qurbani (1980).

His dialogue: “Abhi hamari ek mulaqat aur hogi, aur woh tumhare liye aakhri hogi,” still echoes in the ears of audiences.

The drug-induced psychopath role of ‘Raja’ in Janbaaz (1986) was perfectly tailor made for Kapoor.

9. Anupam Kher

Anupam Kher played the lethal and esoteric ‘Dr Dang’ in Subhash Ghai’s Karma (1986). The deadly combination of scientist and terrorist made his dialogues more chilling.

With eyes of wrath, he mercilessly conversed with Dilip Kumar saying: “Iss thappad ki goonj suni tumne? Ab iss goonj ki goonj tumhe zindagi bhar sunai degi.”

The ruthless Anupam Kher performed brilliantly in Chaalbaaz (1989).

10. Gulshan Grover

Gulshan Grover terrorised many of his co-stars on-screen, often attacking them with a knife or axe.

Grover’s boorish character ‘Kesariya Valeti’ in Ram Lakhan (1989) enhanced his marvelous “bad man” dialogue and image.

He delivered an accomplished performance for his “dirty mind” role in Mohra (1994). Other notable characters include ‘Natwar Shah’ from Aankhen (1993) and ‘Chhappan Tikli a.k.a. Jimmy’ in Sir (1993).

11. Danny Denzongpa

Danny Denzongpa made his mark as a villain in movies such as Hum (1991) and Ghatak (1996).

However it was the role of ‘Kancha Cheena’ in Agneepath (1990), which defined his fashionable villainous persona.

With his slick back hair and cool sunglasses in Agneepath, Danny recited the stylish dialogue: “Bohat dino baad ek Hindustani machli hamare samundar mein dikhai diya.”

12. Sadashiv Amrapurkar

Sadashiv Amrapurkar played many different roles, varying from a corrupt politician to an evil landlord.

His portrayal of the sarcasm-spewing eunuch ‘Maharani’ in Sadak (1990) earned him raving reviews for delivering dialogues like: “Top ki Veshya banaugi.”

Sadashiv’s other credible baddie roles came in movies such as Farishtay (1991) and Ishq (1997).

13. Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan is amongst the finest few heroes of Bollywood to have also played the villain.

As a villain, Shahrukh gave us good performances in Baazigar (1993) and Anjaam (1994).

In Yash Chopra’s Darr (1994) he played the dark character of an ordinary failing man. Lovingly obsessed with Juhi Chawla, he uttered the famous line: “I love you K K K Kiran.”

14. Ashutosh Rana

Ashutosh Rana played the gruesome psychotic serial killer ‘Gokul Pandit’ in Dushman (1998).

Addressing Kajal with the dialogue: “Maine tumhari behan ko issi jaga maara tha,” impressively summed up how heartless his character was.

Rana confidently expressed fanaticism when playing the role of ‘Lajja Shankar Pandey’ in Sangharsh (1999). 

15. Prakash Raj

Prakash Raj acted as a villain in quite a few films, including Wanted (2009).

The superb ‘Jaikant’ in Singham (2012) is by far his most celebrated performance.

In the Rohit Shetty directorial, he entertained as a cunning villain famously quoting: “Aali re alai…. maajhi bar alai.”

Besides the 15 mentioned, Kanhaiyalal, Jeevan, Prem Nath, Madan Puri, Kader Khan, Ranjeet, Kabir Bedi, Kiran Kumar, Raza Murad and Nana Patekar were the crème de la crème villains of Bollywood.

Honouring these true Bollywood baddies, DESIblitz looks forward to many more unforgettable Bollywood villains in the future.