2 Villains Who Turned Heroes, Rivalled Amitabh Bachchan On Screen, Later Joined Politics

News18

07-08-2025

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Their turning point came in 1971, with Gulzar's critically acclaimed Mere Apne. While the film marked the tragic final performance of screen legend Meena Kumari, it became a launchpad for Sinha and Khanna, propelling them from typecast villains to mainstream heroes. The film's tension-fuelled dynamic between their characters captured the attention of both audiences and filmmakers. One line in particular, " Shyam aaye to kehna Chhenu aaya tha", continues to echo across social media decades later. Before this breakout, both actors had earned their place in cinema playing negative roles. (News18 Hindi)
Vinod Khanna, introduced by Sunil Dutt in Man Ka Meet, had a string of villainous parts in films like Sachcha Jhootha and Mera Gaon Mera Desh, where his menacing performance as a dacoit opposite Dharmendra won acclaim. But it was Gulzar again, with Achanak (1973), who helped shift Khanna's image, revealing a brooding intensity that suited leading roles. (News18 Hindi)
Shatrughan Sinha, meanwhile, came to Mumbai chasing hero roles but was quickly slotted into antagonist characters, thanks in part to his booming baritone and commanding presence. He became known for stealing scenes from lead actors, with standout performances in Khilona, Bhai Ho To Aisa, and Kala Patthar. But it was 1971's Mere Apne and Gambler that finally recast him as the hero he had always aimed to be. Sinha once reflected on this shift in a candid interview, saying, "I became a hero on my own insistence. It wasn't anyone's favour. I am not grateful to any director or producer for making me a hero. I'm only thankful to God and the audience. I used to get more applause than the hero." (News18 Hindi)
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Their transformation sparked a new phase in their careers, one that saw both actors sharing marquee space with Amitabh Bachchan himself, often competing for the same roles, scripts, and fan attention throughout the 70s and 80s. And yet, their connection with Bachchan extended far beyond cinema. In a rare convergence of stardom and public service, all three actors transitioned into politics. Vinod Khanna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and was elected MP from Gurdaspur four times. Shatrughan Sinha, also with the BJP for most of his political life, represented Patna Sahib multiple times and served as a Cabinet minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. (News18 Hindi)
Amitabh Bachchan, too, stepped into the political arena, contesting and winning the Allahabad Lok Sabha seat in 1984 with a landslide victory. However, his tryst with politics was short-lived. After his name was linked to the Bofors scandal (in which he was later cleared), Bachchan resigned and withdrew from political life entirely. Today, their story stands as a rare blend of Bollywood glamour and political grit, proof that even those cast as villains can script their own heroic narratives, both on screen and in the nation's history. (News18 Hindi)