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India Today
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Why every actor now wants to play the villain in pan-India films
In a striking shift across Indian cinema, the boundary between hero and villain is increasingly blurred. With pan-India spectacles becoming the norm, a new casting trend has emerged: top stars, across industries, are willingly stepping into the shoes of powerful Yash's much-hyped portrayal of Ravana in 'Ramayana', to Bobby Deol's bloody rampage in 'Animal', and Kamal Haasan's haunting Supreme Yaskin in 'Kalki 2898 AD', the villain has never looked more glamorous and compare this to a Hollywood tradition, where major stars frequently take on supporting or antagonist roles without necessarily being the central protagonist. From ensemble classics to recent examples like 'Oppenheimer', it is a familiar format. And now, that playbook is being adopted widely in Indian cinema, especially across pan-India films. But what is fuelling this surge of star-powered antagonists? And does it mark a fresh chapter in Indian storytelling or simply a marketing tactic dressed in dramatic grey?The rise of the star-villainThis trend of heroes turning villains isn't entirely new, it is rooted in Indian cinema's legacy. Legendary actor-politician Sr NTR played Ravana in 'Bhookailas' and again in his own production 'Seetharama Kalyanam', despite director KV Reddy's warning that such negative roles might clash with his divine image. In Tamil cinema, MGR took on a dual role in 'Ninaithathai Mudippavan', and Sivaji Ganesan played a rare negative part in 'Goondukili'. In Malayalam, Mohanlal debuted as a sadistic villain in 'Manjil Virinja Pookkal', while Mammootty's transformation as a ruthless landlord in 'Paleri Manikyam' was chilling and acclaimed. Even Rajinikanth built his early career on negative roles in films like 'Moondru Mudichu' and '16 Vayathinile'. But the modern wave, especially after 'Baahubali', has given villains a whole new cinematic weight. It has brought back the trend to the mainstream, but now with a different visual language and a new set of creative and commercial villains take centre stageStarting with Rana Daggubati as Bhallaladeva, his character was arguably more layered than the titular role of Baahubali. His cold ambition, wounded pride and emotional contradictions made him a towering presence in both films. It is no coincidence that the writing of the character rose in scale because Rana was playing the role. 'Baahubali' didn't just make Prabhas a pan-India hero, it turned Rana into one then, star villains have become a strategic casting choice. In 'Master', Vijay Sethupathi's Bhavani opens the film, setting the emotional tone even before Vijay's JD enters. His performance oozes menace and tragic backstory, elevating what could have been a routine gangster role. Similarly, Fahadh Faasil's psychologically unhinged cop in 'Pushpa' offered an eerie counter to Allu Arjun's rustic charisma. In 'Maamannan', again, Fahadh's portrayal of an upper-caste antagonist became the emotional core of the film's political then there came 'Animal', where Bobby Deol's largely silent, blood-drenched villain became a national obsession. His screen time was brief, but the impact was thunderous. A comeback narrative emerged overnight, one that has since translated into major roles for him in 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu', 'Kanguva' and 'Daaku Maharaaj'. The same goes for Kamal Haasan's Supreme Yaskin in 'Kalki 2898 AD', brief but are stars choosing the dark side?For one, it is commercially viable. As pan-India films target multiple linguistic markets, producers need faces that resonate across regions. A Bollywood star playing a Telugu or Kannada villain instantly expands the film's reach in the Hindi-speaking belts. As per trade reports, many of these actors, like Saif Ali Khan in 'Devara' or Sanjay Dutt in 'KGF 2', command hefty pay for relatively short shooting too, the villain role offers room to break free from formulaic heroism. Actors are no longer confined to righteous leads. They can be morally messy, psychologically broken, and theatrically powerful, all without carrying the burden of the viewer, it is a win. These face-offs between established stars have cinematic gravity. What could be more intriguing than Jr NTR clashing with Hrithik Roshan in 'War 2'? Or Ranbir Kapoor as Rama going up against Yash in 'Ramayana'? Or Prabhas crossing paths with Kamal Haasan in 'Kalki 2898 AD'? These aren't just rivalries, they are multi-layered battles of ethos, acting styles, and The multi-starrer pullThese casting choices also feed into the growing appetite for ensemble-led blockbusters. Take 'Kalki 2898 AD', where Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani all co-exist. Or the upcoming film 'Coolie', which brings together Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna and Upendra. In each case, the villain is not a throwaway baddie, but a carefully crafted piece of the stars in a film means scope to attract more markets. But more importantly, it allows the audience to witness their favourite stars in unexpected combinations. Fans don't just turn up for one actor, they show up for the clash of flip sideBut it all comes at a cost. As more actors are cast in stylised villain roles, the risk of typecasting increases. Sanjay Dutt, post'KGF 2', Bobby Deol after 'Animal', and Vijay Sethupathi following 'Master' have all found themselves featuring in similar roles - bloodied, generic but larger-than-life. While the success is undeniable, the range starts to narrow. Even Fahadh Faasil, who is celebrated for his versatility, is now being used repeatedly as the off-kilter antagonist in big-budget There is also the question of sustainability. Bigger budgets to accommodate multiple stars mean smaller films are being squeezed out. When three actors co-lead one Rs 300 to 400 crore project, that is potentially three solo films not being made, leaving the theatres empty. The increasing budgets for giving that big-screen experience is also impacting other films, which are made considerably on lower budgets. The industry's middle layer, indie, mid-budget and small-budget cinema, is increasingly under concern is the rising trend of glorified violence. From Rolex in 'Vikram' to the final bloodbath in 'Animal', violence is now rendered with such style and bravado that it becomes seductive. The moral complexity is lost to slow-motion swagger. Are we now cheering brutality just because a beloved actor delivers it?Where does it go from here?This trend shows no signs of slowing down. Upcoming films like 'Ramayana', 'Coolie', 'The Raja Saab' and 'SSMB 29' are doubling down on hero-villain dualities featuring superstar pairings. The villain is no longer a secondary role. It is often the second lead, or in some cases, who forms the real emotional core of the audiences will not settle for style alone. For these star-villain roles to be impactful, the writing must evolve too. Not every villain can be Bhallaladeva and not every face-off can rest on legacy alone. The emotional architecture of these characters must rise to match the trend of heroes stepping into villainous roles has unlocked new space, for performance, for audience thrill, and for expanding the idea of pan-Indian stardom. It's where star power collides with story tension, and where anti-heroes stand shoulder to shoulder with traditional leads. But how long this lasts will depend on how smartly the industry evolves. The challenge isn't just casting bigger names, it's about writing stronger characters. And above all, it's about keeping the balance, and knowing when to push boundaries and when to pull back.- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Saiyaara just fixed everything Bollywood broke about love
Let's be honest. Bollywood has been selling us some wild ideas about love for years–the kind where the guy is a 'damaged genius' with zero emotional regulation, and the girl is just there — quiet, loyal, crying in the corner while he throws a tantrum. Enter Saiyaara, a film that doesn't scream love through violence or manipulation, it whispers it through respect, space, and personal growth. Directed by Mohit Suri and led by fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Saiyaara feels like a collective exhale after holding our breath through Animal and Kabir Singh. Ahaan Panday–yes, from that film family–doesn't ride in on nepotism fumes. He shows up with real emotion, vulnerability, and pain as Krish. And Aneet Padda? She's a force. Her Vaani isn't just a love interest. She's a whole, layered woman with agency, a past, and clear boundaries. Let's back up. In Kabir Singh, the hero's idea of romance is slapping his partner, getting high, hooking up with strangers, and still being handed a redemption arc. In Animal, Ranbir's Ranvijay labels himself an 'alpha' while emotionally torturing his wife. And guess what? These women stay. They always stay. Because apparently, that's 'true love.' But, in reality, that's trauma bonding with a Bollywood filter. What makes Saiyaara radical is what it doesn't do. No over-the-top monologues about dying for love. No obsessive texting. No chasing people through airports. Just two people–Krish and Vaani–learning to choose each other after choosing themselves. Krish walks away from a toxic home, gives up on his drunkard father, not out of rebellion but survival. He says, 'Mujhe kuch banna hai, aise gareebi mein nahi jeena.' Vaani, recovering from being ghosted before her wedding, refuses to marry out of fear or pity. Even when Krish proposes to her in hospital, she gently says no. Not because she doesn't love him, but because she doesn't want him to give up on himself. She says, 'Shadi hojayegi kabhi bhi. Nahi bhi hogi toh regret nahi hoga. Regret hoga agar tum apne sapne chhod doge.' ALSO READ | In Saiyaara's final act, Mohit Suri channels the best of Aditya Chopra's brand of romance Let that sink in. A Bollywood heroine says no to marriage because she wants the hero to chase his dreams. When Vaani is later diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she doesn't cling to Krish. She walks away–again, not out of weakness, but clarity. She wants to remember who she is without becoming someone's emotional project. And when they reunite? It's not to complete each other, but because they've already completed themselves. And the best part? Saiyaara never shames you for choosing yourself. It doesn't guilt-trip the characters (or the audience) for walking away from chaos. Instead, it says: if it costs your peace, your dreams, or your identity — it's not love. It's just noise. In a world where Ranvijays and Arjun Reddys are dominating our idea of love, Saiyaara challenges them. It's soft and self-aware. It tells you love isn't about fixing broken people–it's about building something healthy with someone who's also doing the work. This film doesn't glorify pain, it celebrates healing. It tells you that you can take time, walk away, come back, and still be whole. That the right love won't ask you to shrink. It'll see you fully. So maybe, just maybe, Saiyaara is the romantic drama we have been waiting for. Jyothi Jha works as a Copy Editor at the Indian Express. She brings in more than 5 years of experience where she has covered Entertainment majorly for TV9, NDTV and Republic Media. Apart from Entertainment, she has been an anchor, copy editor and managed production team under the Politics and Daily News segment. She's passionate about Journalism and it has always been her first choice, she believes in what George Orwell had once said, " Journalism is printing what someone else does not want you to do, rest everything is public relations". ... Read More
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sonu Sood doesn't miss a single workout; went to the gym 15 days after a leg fracture, reveals fitness coach
In recent years, we have witnessed some remarkable physical transformations, from Aamir Khan in Dangal to Ranbir Kapoor in Animal. But when it comes to looking truly shredded, Sonu Sood often flies under the radar. Recently, his fitness trainer, Yogesh Bhateja, shed light on Sood's fitness journey, praising the actor as one of the most dedicated and disciplined individuals he's ever worked with. On Nitin Bajaj's podcast, Bhateja shared the story of getting Sood as a client and how he manifested getting to work with him. The fitness trainer said, 'Dabangg had released just a while back, and I was sitting at home watching it. I saw Sonu Sood in the movie and said to my brother, 'This man has the potential to have a great body; he just doesn't know it yet.' One day I got a call from a friend of mine from Mumbai, who was training a couple of celebrities and, because of his busy schedule, couldn't manage his gym. He asked me if I wanted to do it, and I said, 'Why not?'' Also Read | Sonu Sood rescues snake with bare hands at his residence, netizens react to viral video: 'Scripted' He added, 'One day I saw him walk into the gym on crutches, and I was trying to figure out what had happened. He had actually been injured while playing in the Celebrity Cricket League, which was held in Dubai. Initially he didn't pay attention to the pain, but it turned out to be a hairline fracture, and while fielding. he fractured his leg in 7 different places. He put a platinum plate in, and within 15 days, he was back in the gym.' Yogesh Bhateja broke down Sonu Sood's diet and workout and revealed that the actor 'will never miss a single workout. He will train on Holi, Diwali, and New Year, and I am right there with him.' Talking about Sood's gym routine when he met him, he said, 'At that point his warm-up used to comprise 100 push-ups, 4 sets of parallel bars and pull-ups, with 100 bent-knee leg raises. I told him that he is already doing very well with his body, but there are some muscle groups that have been left behind due to overtraining some other parts of the body. I curated a number of exercises for him to trigger the weak muscles, and by the time he shot for R Rajkumar, he was already in great shape.' Also Read | Kapil Sharma's trainer reveals his body had become stiff and inflamed: 'He would eat at odd times, had no discipline' He even explained Sood's diet and how eggs are a big part of his overall meal plan. 'He will start with 5-6 eggs, sweet potato, and sometimes papaya. There will be a protein shake after the workout with 5-6 eggs. The lunch is simple and comprises dal, rice, a vegetable dish and salad. There is again a protein shake in the evening, and for dinner there are sautéed vegetables with some more eggs. He does this every day without any change whatsoever. He even confesses to me when he eats a samosa.'
India.com
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Netflix India's top 10 most-watched films is a mix of blockbusters and underdogs, a non-star film ranks at no. 4
Well, we all have seen viewers' shift from big screen to OTT now, and Netflix India just dropped a list of its Top 10 most-watched films, and it's a mix of blockbuster action, emotional drama, and small-budget gems that turned into OTT favourites. Any guesses, who is at the top? No surprise here, it's SS Rajamouli's RRR is sitting right at the top. The mega-hit, which stormed the box office, has also shattered records on OTT with 43.65 million views so far. Even after three years (1095 days) on the platform, it's still unstoppable. The film stars Jr. NTR, who is also known as Tarak, Ram Charan in the lead roles, while Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn are also in the film, marking their south debut. 'I'm glad both Tarak and Charan agreed to be part of this project. Even if one of them said no, I wouldn't have taken up this subject. Charan will play young Alluri Seetharama Raju and Tarak as young Komaram Bheem,' Rajamouli said. Who's next in line after RRR? It's Jawan, of course. Shah Rukh Khan's massive hit, directed by Atlee, raked in Rs 640 crore at the box office—and is now pulling huge crowds on Netflix too. With 31.90 million views, Jawan is currently the most-watched Bollywood film on Netflix. Complete list The list has a healthy mix of commercial entertainers and critically acclaimed films. Check out the top 10: RRR (Hindi) – 43.65 million views Jawan – 31.90 million Gangubai Kathiawadi – 29.64 million Laapataa Ladies – 29.50 million Animal – 29.20 million Crew – 27.20 million Maharaja – 27.10 million Fighter – 26.30 million Lucky Bhaskar – 26.30 million Shaitaan – 24 million OTT audiences are loving a mix of massy blockbusters (RRR, Jawan, Animal) and fresh, rooted stories (Laapataa Ladies, Maharaja). It also signals a shift—it's no longer just about theatrical success, but how long a story can live online.
News18
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Abhishek Malhan's Fiery Animal-Style Teaser Has Ranbir Kapoor Fan Club's Attention
Abhishek Malhan was seen walking in a blue shirt, black pants and a long black coat just like Ranbir Kapoor in Animal. Abhishek Malhan, who goes by the name Fukra Insaan on social media, shared an exciting peek into his upcoming video. Taking to his Instagram Stories on Monday, July 21, the Bigg Boss OTT star shared a few-second clip, where he was seen dressed as Ranbir Kapoor's character Ranvijay Singh from the 2023 film Animal, directed by Sanjay Reddy Vanga. In the video, Abhishek can be seen wearing a blue shirt, black pants and a long black coat with a long hair wig and stylish sunglasses. He walked on a road in full swagger, flanked by a couple of men, who were seen in the role of his bodyguards. By the end, they even mimicked shooting with hands and later breaking into laughter. Sharing the clip to an intense instrumental of the action-packed film, the influencer wrote, 'Kal kuch bdia aega," atop it. The YouTuber, who keeps his fans entertained with his videos, shared a dance video with Isha Malviya just a few days back. Dressed in co-ordinated outfits, the two were seen trying their hands at Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur's trending dance to the song Pehla Tu Duja Tu from their upcoming film Son of Sardaar 2. While they perfectly imitated the dance sequence with their hands and with a straight face, by the end of the song, the duo couldn't hold back their laughter. As they finished the dance challenge, 'legendary dance" was displayed on the screen. In the caption, Abhishek wrote, 'Professional dancer. Something super special loading super soon." View this post on Instagram A post shared by ABHISHEK MALHAN (@fukra_insaan) Speaking of Abhishek Malhan, he is considered one of the most prominent influencers in India. He enjoys a follower base of 10.9 million on Instagram, and more than 12 million on his YouTube channel, known as Fukra Insaan. Besides social media, he also made a name for himself in the reality TV genre. Abhishek participated in Bigg Boss OTT season 2, where he emerged as the first runner-up. He was seen on the dating show Temptation Island and also hosted Game of Greed on JioHotstar. More recently, he appeared in Amazon MX Player's reality show Battleground, featuring Rubina Dilaik and Asim Riaz, among others. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
