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India Today
10 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
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Raja Saab OTT release: Prabhas' horror comedy to premiere on Netflix after its theatrical run, but there's a twist
The Raja Saab OTT release: Prabhas will soon be seen in The Raja Saab, one of the biggest films of the year. The horror comedy is set to hit the screens in December. The Telugu film will also be dubbed and released in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. Amid the wait for the biggie, exciting details have emerged about its OTT release. According to Always Bollywood, a handle on X (formerly known as Twitter) that tracks entertainment news, Netflix has acquired the digital rights of the film for Rs 100 crore. This, however, is for the Hindi version only. This means the Hindi version will be available on Netflix after its run in theatres. The Raja Saab plot and cast explored The Raja Saab is a horror comedy directed by Maruthi. The film's plot is still under wraps. However, the teaser suggests that it will centre on the events that unfold when the protagonist is haunted by the ghost of his paternal grandfather. It will also feature a liberal dose of action, comedy and glamour. The Raja Saab features Prabhas in a new avatar. The mass hero is best known for his work in films such as Baahubali, Salaar, and the Nag Ashwin-helmed Kalki 2898 AD. He will be seen with Sanjay Dutt in the biggie. The Bollywood star is known for his work in films such as Khal Nayak and KGF Chapter 2. The Raja Saab also features Nidhi Agerwal and Malavika Mohanan in the lead. The film's music is composed by S Thaman. Will Prabhas make it three in a row with The Raja Saab? The Raja Saab comes at a time when Prabhas is going through a terrific phase on the work front. He scored a big hit with Kalki 2898 AD. The dystopian action drama featured him as a bounty hunter and marked his first collaboration with legends such as Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan. It grossed over Rs 1,000 crore globally. This was his second blockbuster after Salaar (2023). The action earned Rs 700 crore at the box office on a budget of Rs 270 crore to emerge. It remains to be seen whether The Raja Saab helps him keep the momentum going when it arrives in theatres on December 5.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Raja Saab: Makers of Prabhas' film sell its post-theatrical streaming rights for a staggering amount
Prabhas will be back on the big screens with The Raja Saab. The movie will hit the cinemas in December this year. There is a lot of excitement about the film among the fans. Well, it seems that all the hype is working in favour of the makers, as they have sealed a deal with an OTT giant for the film's post-theatrical streaming rights. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Producers of The Raja Saab make massive OTT deal As per a Cinejosh report, the makers have sold the streaming rights of the film for a whopping amount. Reportedly, Netflix paid Rs 100 crore to secure the rights to the Hindi-dubbed version. Reports also suggested that the makers are being approached with various lucrative offers for OTT rights. However, an official confirmation from the film team is yet to be made on the same. It's a Prabhas film, and such things are expected. This is not the first time Prabhas' film was sold at such a whopping amount. Earlier, the makers of his film, Kalki 2898 AD, sealed a deal at Rs 175 crore. More about film Earlier, the makers dropped the teaser of the film, and it received a lot of love from Prabhas' fans. It showcased the actor in a refreshing avatar. Meanwhile, The Raja Saab is currently in production, and the lead actor will play the character of a person pretending to be an heir to a royal family to impress a girl. He later discovers, though, that the palace he says is ancestral is haunted. Apart from Prabhas, the film stars Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar joining Prabhas in pivotal roles. Maruthi has directed the film, while S.S. Thaman has composed the music. As per the reports, the horror-comedy is releasing on December 5, 2025. On the other hand, Prabhas has several films lined up ahead. He will star in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit, Prashanth Neel's Salaar Part 2: Shouryanga Parvam, and the second installment of Kalki 2898 AD.
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Band karo: Amitabh Bachchan loses patience with paps for filming outside Jalsa
A rare glimpse of irritation from Amitabh Bachchan has surfaced online, surprising both fans and photographers. The veteran actor, known for his calm and humble demeanour, was recently caught losing his patience with a paparazzo attempting to film him outside his famous Mumbai home, the viral footage, Big B is seen visibly annoyed as he approaches the cameraman and firmly says, 'Aye, video mat nikalo, band karo! (don't take the video, stop it).'advertisementTake a look at the video: (Video Credit: Reddit/kwlonly)While the exact timing of the incident is unknown, the clip quickly circulated on social media, leaving fans taken aback. For years, Bachchan has been admired not only for his film legacy but also for his graceful conduct in it is during his regular Sunday interactions with well-wishers or when acknowledging photographers with a polite nod or a gesture of folded hands, he has always maintained a respectful rare expression of displeasure has understandably sparked debate on whether it was a matter of privacy being violated or simply a limit being the work front, Big B's most recent appearance was in 'Kalki 2898 AD'. However, fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing him back as the host of the next season of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'.- EndsMust Watch
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Mat Nikalo!': Amitabh Bachchan Scolds Paparazzi For Filming Outside Bungalow, Video Goes Viral
Amitabh Bachchan was caught on video scolding a paparazzo for filming him outside his Mumbai home. The rare outburst has now gone viral on social media. A rare moment of irritation from Amitabh Bachchan has surfaced online, surprising fans and shutterbugs alike. The legendary actor, known for his poise and humility, was recently seen losing his cool at a paparazzo who attempted to record him outside his iconic bungalow in Mumbai. In the now-viral video, Big B can be seen exiting his residence dressed in his signature white kurta-pyjama paired with an elegant off-white shawl draped over one shoulder. However, his demeanor changed the moment he noticed the lens pointed at him. Clearly displeased, the actor walked toward the cameraperson and firmly said, 'Aye, video mat nikalo, band karo!" — a rare display of visible annoyance from the otherwise composed megastar. The precise date and time of the incident remain unclear, but the video quickly caught the attention of fans and netizens alike. Those familiar with Amitabh Bachchan know that the veteran actor typically maintains a cordial relationship with photographers, often acknowledging them with folded hands or a polite nod. His interactions, especially during his famous Sunday ritual where he greets admirers gathered outside his home, are generally filled with warmth and gratitude. On the professional front, Big B is riding high on the success of Kalki 2898 AD, in which he essayed the role of the formidable Ashwatthama. The mythological sci-fi spectacle, which takes cues from the Mahabharata, also stars Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan. The actor is set to reprise his role in the film's much-anticipated second part. Apart from Kalki, Bachchan will also return in Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra Part 2, where he will share screen space once again with Ranbir Kapoor. Though updates on the film's progress remain scarce, the anticipation continues to build. Meanwhile, Big B is also gearing up for the release of Section 84, a courtroom drama that features an ensemble cast including Nimrat Kaur, Diana Penty, and Abhishek Banerjee. While his films keep audiences hooked, this unexpected glimpse into the actor's private moment is a reminder that even legends have their limits. 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.
