[Update]
Due to heavy public demand to continue this list, and also due to threats over the exclusion of some very popular names and celebrities of the crime world in this list, OKS has now compiled a sequel to this. So, please check out – The Next Top 20 Villains of Bollywood
[/Update]
They are the meanest creatures ever born on this planet. They are the pain in the arse of our Bollywood heroes and have some of the most badass lines; lines which make them immortal. Sometimes these villains are so badass that they own the movie, and the hero becomes just a mere character. Of course, in Bollywood terms and conditions, the hero always wins, but from the audience perspective, the hero might have won the battle, but lost the war. This post is my tribute to those 20 immortal villains that have graced the Bollywood silver screen. Some are straight out of comic strips, others are downright evil and mean, and the rest just tickle you and force you to roll down the corridor. It is such a shame though that these characters are more known as the Villains whereas they actually are the Heroes of the movies they were in. It was very hard to arrive at the final top 10 list, but you know, I am a genius of sorts when it comes to matters like these. No hurt feelings for those who couldn’t get through. Maybe you could be featured in the next list coming up shortly. Special mentions to the ones who just missed the list by an inch. ROLL THE DRUMS…….
20. Lotiya Pathan (Kiran Kumar) – Film: Tezaab
Achievements and Activities: Ganglord, kidnapper who doesn’t believe in Villain fashion. No white shoes, no furs and no underground camps. Downright street stuff with local goons and badass street fights. Started the first onscreen gang-war things of sorts.
Why is he on the list: In a movie which has Anil Kapoor playing the angry young man Munna, Madhuri Dixit dancing to ‘Ek Do Teen’ and the whole country dancing to it, if you can still remember the name of the villain, job well done!!!
Youtube Reference scene (click here) :- Lotiya Pathan is enraged at Munna getting punished for only a year.
Achievements and Activities: Ganglord, kidnapper who doesn’t believe in Villain fashion. No white shoes, no furs and no underground camps. Downright street stuff with local goons and badass street fights. Started the first onscreen gang-war things of sorts.
Why is he on the list: In a movie which has Anil Kapoor playing the angry young man Munna, Madhuri Dixit dancing to ‘Ek Do Teen’ and the whole country dancing to it, if you can still remember the name of the villain, job well done!!!
Youtube Reference scene (click here) :- Lotiya Pathan is enraged at Munna getting punished for only a year.
19. Gulfaam Hassan (Naseeruddin Shah)-Film: Sarfarosh
Achievement and Activities: Ghazal Singer who playbacks Jagjit Singh’s vocals perfectly and carries out terrorist activites from his ancestral fort in Bahid, Rajasthan. Keyword: Mohajir.
Why is he on the list? He can pull out the ear of a child goat just because he broke a vase. He made the word “Gunaah” as one of the keywords for all mimicry artists who want to copy Naseeruddin Shah.
Youtube reference scene (click here):- The climax scene of Sarfarosh when Ajay Rathod’s plan dawns on Gulfam Hassan, but its too late.
Achievement and Activities: Ghazal Singer who playbacks Jagjit Singh’s vocals perfectly and carries out terrorist activites from his ancestral fort in Bahid, Rajasthan. Keyword: Mohajir.
Why is he on the list? He can pull out the ear of a child goat just because he broke a vase. He made the word “Gunaah” as one of the keywords for all mimicry artists who want to copy Naseeruddin Shah.
Youtube reference scene (click here):- The climax scene of Sarfarosh when Ajay Rathod’s plan dawns on Gulfam Hassan, but its too late.
18. Sunil Malhotra (Sharukh Khan)- Film: Darr
Achievement and Activities: Just plain old psychopath who’s lovestruck. The usual stalker syndromes, tattoo works on the chest, oh that’s not a tattoo, that’s inscribed by some knife. He survives tetanus. Hell, he survives Sunny Deol’s grip lock. Bollywood’s Houdini meets Fatal Attraction meets Superstar.
Why is he on the list? One word– K.k.k.k.k.kkkkk….Kiran
Youtube reference scene (click here):- The knife inscribing scene.
Achievement and Activities: Just plain old psychopath who’s lovestruck. The usual stalker syndromes, tattoo works on the chest, oh that’s not a tattoo, that’s inscribed by some knife. He survives tetanus. Hell, he survives Sunny Deol’s grip lock. Bollywood’s Houdini meets Fatal Attraction meets Superstar.
Why is he on the list? One word– K.k.k.k.k.kkkkk….Kiran
Youtube reference scene (click here):- The knife inscribing scene.
17. Laxmi Devi ( Aruna Irani) – Film: Beta
Achievement and Activities: The usual ‘maalkin’ activities who rules the henpecked husband. Steps in as second wife of rich guy Prem, stepmom of Beta Anil Kapoor, and grabs all the property. Makes the stepson to believe that she is the best mom in the world, and keeps her husband sedated. Has brilliant sidekicks as well.
Why is she on the list? The continuous power battle between Madhuri and Aruna Irani made Beta the successful movie that it is (apart from the famous Dhak Dhak song). This was so much a woman’s show that it is indeed ironical that the movie was titled Beta; should’ve been Beti, Bahu or Sasumaa.
Unfortunately, no Youtube clips to display the evils of Stepmom Aruna Irani. The only videos that I get of Aruna Irani are her earlier years item numbers. But wtf, enjoy Dhak Dhak (click here)
Achievement and Activities: The usual ‘maalkin’ activities who rules the henpecked husband. Steps in as second wife of rich guy Prem, stepmom of Beta Anil Kapoor, and grabs all the property. Makes the stepson to believe that she is the best mom in the world, and keeps her husband sedated. Has brilliant sidekicks as well.
Why is she on the list? The continuous power battle between Madhuri and Aruna Irani made Beta the successful movie that it is (apart from the famous Dhak Dhak song). This was so much a woman’s show that it is indeed ironical that the movie was titled Beta; should’ve been Beti, Bahu or Sasumaa.
Unfortunately, no Youtube clips to display the evils of Stepmom Aruna Irani. The only videos that I get of Aruna Irani are her earlier years item numbers. But wtf, enjoy Dhak Dhak (click here)
16. Sher Khan (Pran ): Film-Zanjeer
Achievement and Activities: The Original Pathan of Bollywood, the benchmark of the onscreen Pathani accent. Runs all kinda illegal businesses. Fought with the angriest onscreen character ever- Inspector Vijay Khanna (Amitabh Bachhan). Made peace and friendship with him after the fight. Could have saved on laundry bills if they had known about it earlier. But then, we would’ve missed the great scene.
Why is he on the list? I know he is not a villain throughout the film, but did you guys did not watch his first scene with Amitabh Bachhan?
Youtube reference scene (click here):- The entry scene which establishes the character of Sher Khan. “Sher Khan Kaale ka dhanda karta hai lekin imaandari se”
Achievement and Activities: The Original Pathan of Bollywood, the benchmark of the onscreen Pathani accent. Runs all kinda illegal businesses. Fought with the angriest onscreen character ever- Inspector Vijay Khanna (Amitabh Bachhan). Made peace and friendship with him after the fight. Could have saved on laundry bills if they had known about it earlier. But then, we would’ve missed the great scene.
Why is he on the list? I know he is not a villain throughout the film, but did you guys did not watch his first scene with Amitabh Bachhan?
Youtube reference scene (click here):- The entry scene which establishes the character of Sher Khan. “Sher Khan Kaale ka dhanda karta hai lekin imaandari se”
15: Anna (Nana Patekar): Film – Parinda
Achievements and Activities: Ganglord and Bully right from childhood, established as one of the first onscreen underworld characters of Bollywood. Has fear of fire and flips out every time he sees it. Has the whitest of shirts and is religious. But no burning of agarbattis please!
Why is he on this list? C’mon , its Nana. The cold blooded dialogues, and the eyes.
Youtube reference scene (click here) :- The climax scene of Parinda. You know what happens.
Achievements and Activities: Ganglord and Bully right from childhood, established as one of the first onscreen underworld characters of Bollywood. Has fear of fire and flips out every time he sees it. Has the whitest of shirts and is religious. But no burning of agarbattis please!
Why is he on this list? C’mon , its Nana. The cold blooded dialogues, and the eyes.
Youtube reference scene (click here) :- The climax scene of Parinda. You know what happens.
14. Langda Tyagi (Saif Ali Khan) : Film – Omkara
Achievements and Activites: Rural, rustic dacoit, and foul-mouthed. Has a taste for jewellery.
Why is he on the list? Tell me one guy who remembered Ajay Devgan or Vivek Oberoi after this movie. Landa Tyagi’s insecurity, envy and evil mean self oozes out in Saif’s portrayal.
Youtube reference scene (click here) :- Langda Tyaagi on the bridge drinking some desi. Look what happens next.
Achievements and Activites: Rural, rustic dacoit, and foul-mouthed. Has a taste for jewellery.
Why is he on the list? Tell me one guy who remembered Ajay Devgan or Vivek Oberoi after this movie. Landa Tyagi’s insecurity, envy and evil mean self oozes out in Saif’s portrayal.
Youtube reference scene (click here) :- Langda Tyaagi on the bridge drinking some desi. Look what happens next.
13. Rama Shetty (Sadashiv Amrapurkar) : Film- Ardh Satya
Achievements and Activities: He’s a Gangsta!! White Kurta, gold chain, gloying black eyes, Zero percent Fair and Lovely.
Why is he on the list? Sadashiv’s career begins and ends with this role. Every other role of a villain played by him has been just a low budget copy of Rama Shetty.
Youtube reference: Watch the whole movie on Youtube. Just search “Ardh Satya”.
Achievements and Activities: He’s a Gangsta!! White Kurta, gold chain, gloying black eyes, Zero percent Fair and Lovely.
Why is he on the list? Sadashiv’s career begins and ends with this role. Every other role of a villain played by him has been just a low budget copy of Rama Shetty.
Youtube reference: Watch the whole movie on Youtube. Just search “Ardh Satya”.
12. Gokul Pandit (Ashutosh Rana): Film-Dushman
Achievements and Activities: Postmaster by profession, serial killer by …err. He has no reason to kill except for some bloody sense of achievement that he can. This is pure evil.
Why is he on the list? Didn’t you read what I said:- PURE EVIL
Youtube reference scene (click here): The murder scene.
Achievements and Activities: Postmaster by profession, serial killer by …err. He has no reason to kill except for some bloody sense of achievement that he can. This is pure evil.
Why is he on the list? Didn’t you read what I said:- PURE EVIL
Youtube reference scene (click here): The murder scene.
11. Subedar ( Naseeruddin Shah): Film-Mirch Masala
Achievements and Activities:Subedar saahab as the name suggests, flaunts a moustache, rides horses and travels across the village, letches at ladies, torments villagers, owns a gramaphone.
Why is he on the list? There is no better payback scene in Bollywood than the climax of Mirch Masala where Subedar is treated with some raw spice. Yep, you guessed it right, red hot chilli pepper thrown right at the eyes. The scream still resonates.
Youtube reference scene: Just the trailer of the movie (click here)
Achievements and Activities:Subedar saahab as the name suggests, flaunts a moustache, rides horses and travels across the village, letches at ladies, torments villagers, owns a gramaphone.
Why is he on the list? There is no better payback scene in Bollywood than the climax of Mirch Masala where Subedar is treated with some raw spice. Yep, you guessed it right, red hot chilli pepper thrown right at the eyes. The scream still resonates.
Youtube reference scene: Just the trailer of the movie (click here)
10. Tribhuvan Das (Anupam Kher) : Film – Chaalbaaz
Achievements and Activities: Caretaker of twin Sridevis, tormentor, oppressor, greedy, mean and has funny nose and teeth. Has Amba (Rohini Hattangadi) as his accomplice cum wife and Shakti Kapoor as Batuknath Lalan Prasad Malpani as his brother in law.
Why is he on the list? Dentally challenged + Facially distorted = Excellent villain.
Youtube reference scene (click here): This is actually a song called Gadbad Ho Gayee. Anupam Kher dressed as Shikari Shambhu.
Achievements and Activities: Caretaker of twin Sridevis, tormentor, oppressor, greedy, mean and has funny nose and teeth. Has Amba (Rohini Hattangadi) as his accomplice cum wife and Shakti Kapoor as Batuknath Lalan Prasad Malpani as his brother in law.
Why is he on the list? Dentally challenged + Facially distorted = Excellent villain.
Youtube reference scene (click here): This is actually a song called Gadbad Ho Gayee. Anupam Kher dressed as Shikari Shambhu.
9. Loin (Ajeet) : Film – Kalicharan
Achievements and Activites: He is the friggin’ baap of all crimelords. White suit, black shades, white pants, white shoes. Peter, Mona and Robert are few of his zillion sidekicks. Owns a control room with diodes flashing,
Why is he on the list? Coz he spawned a different genre of Bollywood villains. Coz he created the line “Saara Shaher mujhe Loin ke naam se Janta hai” which is etched in golden letters in Indian pop-culture.
Youtube reference scene: Didn’t find any. Instead enjoy Reena Roy dancing to Jaa Re Jaa (Click here)
Achievements and Activites: He is the friggin’ baap of all crimelords. White suit, black shades, white pants, white shoes. Peter, Mona and Robert are few of his zillion sidekicks. Owns a control room with diodes flashing,
Why is he on the list? Coz he spawned a different genre of Bollywood villains. Coz he created the line “Saara Shaher mujhe Loin ke naam se Janta hai” which is etched in golden letters in Indian pop-culture.
Youtube reference scene: Didn’t find any. Instead enjoy Reena Roy dancing to Jaa Re Jaa (Click here)
8: Kesariya Vilayti aka BAD MAN (Gulshan Grover) : Film- Ram Lakhan
Achievements and Activities: I can’t remember anything else but the dialogue-BAD MAN.
Why is he on the list? BAD MAN. In a movie filled with Bollywood’s biggest villains Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Dalip Tahil , maybe not Dalip Tahil, you end up remembering only the BAD MAN. That’s why.
Youtube reference scene (click here): Just check it out. Watch the whole video though. Just don’t get smitten by Lakhan’s HR and PR skills.
Achievements and Activities: I can’t remember anything else but the dialogue-BAD MAN.
Why is he on the list? BAD MAN. In a movie filled with Bollywood’s biggest villains Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Dalip Tahil , maybe not Dalip Tahil, you end up remembering only the BAD MAN. That’s why.
Youtube reference scene (click here): Just check it out. Watch the whole video though. Just don’t get smitten by Lakhan’s HR and PR skills.
7. Indrajit Chadhha (Amrish Puri) : Film – Damini
Achievements and Activities: Criminal Lawyer by profession, scheming mind which can go to any extent. Extremely mean with the ladies and doesn’t hesitate from discussing rape in details or uttering words like ‘jaangh’. Hates his hair falling on his forehead, so jerks his head frequently to keep his hair to the side.
Why is he on the list? He is the reason why Sunny Deol keeps shouting “Taarikh Pe Taarikh”.
Youtube reference (click here): The court scene where he utters “Jaanghe aapko maalum hai kya hoti hai”.
Achievements and Activities: Criminal Lawyer by profession, scheming mind which can go to any extent. Extremely mean with the ladies and doesn’t hesitate from discussing rape in details or uttering words like ‘jaangh’. Hates his hair falling on his forehead, so jerks his head frequently to keep his hair to the side.
Why is he on the list? He is the reason why Sunny Deol keeps shouting “Taarikh Pe Taarikh”.
Youtube reference (click here): The court scene where he utters “Jaanghe aapko maalum hai kya hoti hai”.
6. Kancha Cheena (Danny Denzongpa) : Film – Agneepath
Achievements and Activities: Crime Baron, Takes over village Mandwa where hero Vijay Dinanath Chauhan is born. Just wants to keep his business flourishing, so that’s it. Oh yes, he has aviator shades on with clean gelled hair.
Why is he on the list? With a name like Kancha Cheena, he has to be.
Youtube reference scene (click here):Danny vs. Big B
Achievements and Activities: Crime Baron, Takes over village Mandwa where hero Vijay Dinanath Chauhan is born. Just wants to keep his business flourishing, so that’s it. Oh yes, he has aviator shades on with clean gelled hair.
Why is he on the list? With a name like Kancha Cheena, he has to be.
Youtube reference scene (click here):Danny vs. Big B
5. Balvant Rai (Amrish Puri ): Film – Ghayal
Achievement and Activities: Illegal businessman who stops at nothing. Filthy rich and lotsa goons (some of them anglo-indians). Has good connections within the law and administration. Got busted by hero’s brother, hence kills him. Little did he know that Rajkumar Santoshi would cast Sunny Deol as the brother of Raj Babbar.
Why is he on the list? I hate Balvant Rai.
Youtube reference scene (click here): Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk
Achievement and Activities: Illegal businessman who stops at nothing. Filthy rich and lotsa goons (some of them anglo-indians). Has good connections within the law and administration. Got busted by hero’s brother, hence kills him. Little did he know that Rajkumar Santoshi would cast Sunny Deol as the brother of Raj Babbar.
Why is he on the list? I hate Balvant Rai.
Youtube reference scene (click here): Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk
4: Dr. Dang (Anupam Kher) : Film- Karma
Achievement and Activities: Evil plans associated with spreading terror. Somehow gets easily captured by old jailor Dilip Kumar. Very sensitive about his cheeks being molested.
Why is he on the list?“Thappar ki Goonj”. Over the top dialogues oozing with negative energy. Hail Subhash Ghai. No Youtube videos for this one. Just have a look at the pic on the side, and imagine the sheer force of Dr.Dang.
Achievement and Activities: Evil plans associated with spreading terror. Somehow gets easily captured by old jailor Dilip Kumar. Very sensitive about his cheeks being molested.
Why is he on the list?“Thappar ki Goonj”. Over the top dialogues oozing with negative energy. Hail Subhash Ghai. No Youtube videos for this one. Just have a look at the pic on the side, and imagine the sheer force of Dr.Dang.
3. Shaakaal (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) : Film – Shaan
Achievement and Activities: Owns a shark tank, sliding doors, moisturises scalp regulary. India’s answer to every Bond villain and Dr.evil as well.
Why is he on the list? Shaakaal’s style and charisma excels those of Amitabh, Shashi and Shatrughan put together. His gadgets, comfortable arm-wresting chair, sitting in his control room with buttons et al and surrounded by swimming sharks.
Youtube reference scene (click here): The climax scene of Shaan where Shaakaal takes on the 3 heroes. The background music is not in the movie, but uploaded by the video uploader.
Achievement and Activities: Owns a shark tank, sliding doors, moisturises scalp regulary. India’s answer to every Bond villain and Dr.evil as well.
Why is he on the list? Shaakaal’s style and charisma excels those of Amitabh, Shashi and Shatrughan put together. His gadgets, comfortable arm-wresting chair, sitting in his control room with buttons et al and surrounded by swimming sharks.
Youtube reference scene (click here): The climax scene of Shaan where Shaakaal takes on the 3 heroes. The background music is not in the movie, but uploaded by the video uploader.
2: Gabbar ( Amjad Khan ) Film – Sholay (as if you needed to know that)
Achievements and Activities: Dacoit, hates Ramgarh and hates Thakur. Has some of the most memorable names in his gang- Sambha and Kaaliya. Enjoys chewing tobacco. Has a taste for gypsy music with bonfire and Helen. Has to his credit some of the most immortal lines of Bollywood history , courtesy Salim Javed. Gabbar is all about lust for money and money for lust (Remember the Mehbooba
song, yeah, do you think Helen would have danced for free? ) Gabbar’s revenue model is money taxation from the villagers of Ramgarh. However , he has special affection for the Thakur’s
family. Having almost wiped the entire Thakur family (and well having killed Thakur’s wife and cut his hands -such a shame!) Gabbar didn’t foresee that Thakur would bring two gabrus to battle him. Moreover, he has the best lineup of sidekicks- Sambha , Kaaliya etc. Has special sentiments for Holi- the festival of colors.
Some really cool philosophies on life: Jo darr gaya, samjho marr gaya – the one who fears is dead.
Why is he on the list? What can I say about Gabbar or rather, what is left for me to say? He is the hero of Sholay. With a laughter that no one can match, even a spitting motion of Gabbar has been patented. We have had remix versions of songs with those dialogues of his fit in. Even Big B couldn’t pull it off to portray a believable Gabbar. That’s why! A salute to the real Gabbar.
Youtube reference scene (click here): There are numerous scenes, but this is just one of them, but the one we all remember the most. It is the “Kitne Aadmi The” scene.
Achievements and Activities: Dacoit, hates Ramgarh and hates Thakur. Has some of the most memorable names in his gang- Sambha and Kaaliya. Enjoys chewing tobacco. Has a taste for gypsy music with bonfire and Helen. Has to his credit some of the most immortal lines of Bollywood history , courtesy Salim Javed. Gabbar is all about lust for money and money for lust (Remember the Mehbooba
song, yeah, do you think Helen would have danced for free? ) Gabbar’s revenue model is money taxation from the villagers of Ramgarh. However , he has special affection for the Thakur’s
family. Having almost wiped the entire Thakur family (and well having killed Thakur’s wife and cut his hands -such a shame!) Gabbar didn’t foresee that Thakur would bring two gabrus to battle him. Moreover, he has the best lineup of sidekicks- Sambha , Kaaliya etc. Has special sentiments for Holi- the festival of colors.
Some really cool philosophies on life: Jo darr gaya, samjho marr gaya – the one who fears is dead.
Why is he on the list? What can I say about Gabbar or rather, what is left for me to say? He is the hero of Sholay. With a laughter that no one can match, even a spitting motion of Gabbar has been patented. We have had remix versions of songs with those dialogues of his fit in. Even Big B couldn’t pull it off to portray a believable Gabbar. That’s why! A salute to the real Gabbar.
Youtube reference scene (click here): There are numerous scenes, but this is just one of them, but the one we all remember the most. It is the “Kitne Aadmi The” scene.
AND THE NUMBER ONE ON THIS LIST IS…NO POINTS FOR GUESSING
1. Mogambo (Amrish Puri) : Film-Mr.India
Achievements and Activities: Terrorism, creating chaos and horror by means of detonating bombs in public places, stealing costly antiques. Owns an army of dedicated soldiers who keep shouting “Hail Mogambo”. Keeps an eye on the latest developments in science and technology, and is assisted by a Chinese scientist. Has golden hair but speaks perfect Hindi. Again, large den, with sliding doors, acid tanks, huge lounge area with a world map drawn on the floor.He even has got the missiles man. And the control room is bigger than that of Loin and Shaakaal. And yeah, it has the “don’t pull it” Lever as well.
Why is he on the list? Because he is straight out of some comic strip. Because when we speak of Amrish Puri or of any Bollywood villain, the expression “Mogambo Khush Hua” comes first. Because Mogambo overshadows all the other peeps in the movie.Because when you search for Mogambo on Youtube, you would first get the Mogambo Khush Hua clip first, and then followed by the clip of the Clark Gable starrer Mogambo, from which the name was taken. Because Mogambo is the largest of all the Bollywood villains.
Achievements and Activities: Terrorism, creating chaos and horror by means of detonating bombs in public places, stealing costly antiques. Owns an army of dedicated soldiers who keep shouting “Hail Mogambo”. Keeps an eye on the latest developments in science and technology, and is assisted by a Chinese scientist. Has golden hair but speaks perfect Hindi. Again, large den, with sliding doors, acid tanks, huge lounge area with a world map drawn on the floor.He even has got the missiles man. And the control room is bigger than that of Loin and Shaakaal. And yeah, it has the “don’t pull it” Lever as well.
Why is he on the list? Because he is straight out of some comic strip. Because when we speak of Amrish Puri or of any Bollywood villain, the expression “Mogambo Khush Hua” comes first. Because Mogambo overshadows all the other peeps in the movie.Because when you search for Mogambo on Youtube, you would first get the Mogambo Khush Hua clip first, and then followed by the clip of the Clark Gable starrer Mogambo, from which the name was taken. Because Mogambo is the largest of all the Bollywood villains.
5. Crime Master Gogo – (Shakti Kapoor) – Andaz Apna Apna
Achievement and Activities: It doesn’t happen very often that two characters of the same movie make it to an OKS list. But when it is someone like the caped crusader Crime Master Gogo, we cannot simply resist including him. Fuck the rules. Apart from the OTT shiney satiné costume which gives Gogo the most edgy image of all Bollywood villains, he’s got the best lines out of whole lot. And well, he’s the official nephew of Mogambo – our original no.1
Why is he on the list? Well, how about these lines.
Crime Master Gogo naam hai mera. Aankhein nikaalke gotiya khelunga ..gotiya!
or
Aaya hoon, kuch toh loot kar jaoonga. Khandaani chor hoon. ..Khandaani!
4. Pralaynath Goondaswamy aka Gendaswaamy- (Deepak Shirke) – Film: Tirangaa
Achievements and Activities: He is quite stereotypically the big bad corrupt politician. He does not give a shit about being called a gaddar, and has got missiles, ready to be fired off in the four directions of the country. Yep, he’s got his own lab-coat wearing ISRO scientists as members of his entourage and smuggles illegal weapons including hand grenades in hollow mangoes (of all things).
Why is he on the list? For a corrupt politician, who is supposed to be illiterate, Gendaswamy knows the basics of deploying his nuclear missiles, i.e. the need of a ‘Fuse Conductor’ to complete the circuit. WHOA! <insert some badass villain lair background score> He even has a sidekick, by the name of Jiwanlaal Tandel and most astounding fact of all, has named his four missiles after himself – Pralay 1 to 4. Only Raajkumar’s bleeding dialogues could defuse the missiles, and so he did.
3.Thakur Durjan Singh (Amrish Puri )- Karan Arjun
Achievements and Activities: Thakur Durjan Singh is a jealous Thakur who can do anything for property. So when he feels the threat of losing the mansion that he has been craving for, he kills our cinematic dhoti-clad bhais – Karan and Arjun – hence, igniting the mental devotee in Durgaa (Rakhi) on fire – in a metaphorical way [ I believe you must have noticed how many times that word appears in this post. After all, Bollywood villains deal with metaphors day in and day out]. Not only does he kill them, even after that, he would regularly oppress and ridicule bechaari Durga. And as all Thakurs do, he’s got a long list of sidekicks and entourage members who help him in carrying out his duraachari andatyaachaari deeds.
Why is he on the list? Thakur Durjan Singh faces SRK and Salman Khan for two incarnations – man, TWO incarnations of SRK and Salman , and one Rakhi Gulzar screaming – Mera Karan Arjun ..<enter constipation mode>..aaaayenge!!! If it’s only for that, Durjan Singh deserves a mention on this list. But he doesn’t stop there. He has a thing going on for Mamta Kulkarni ( back in the 90s, who didn’t? ) and then is a bhakt of Maa Kaali ( just like his other lookalike bro – Mola Raam from Pankot Palace , ‘member? ).
2. Maharani (Sadashiv Amrapurkar) – Sadak
Achievement and Activities: No pun intended, here’s the ‘Queen’ of all villains, quite aptly named Maharani. She’s the hijra not to be messed with. She’s got the business acumen to transform young laundiyas into proper “chammak challo” dhandewalis [I thought describing in Desi lingo would be less crass, but then what do I know? ]. Maharani has got her own hairdresser and manicure-pedicure arrangements.
Why is (s)he on the top of the list?
Of all things, here’s one performance by Sadashiv Amprapurkar, which is not a clone of Rama Shetty (no.13 on our previous list). And with this performance, he totally stole the thunder from our wide-bicep-ed and mullet-sporting Hero. Even with Kumar Sanu supporting Sanju baba’s playback vocals, Maharani emerged as the true hero(ine) of this movie which we remember even today. Amrapurkar’s portrayal of Maharani is completely OTT and cinematically evil in every twirl of her hair, and every corny dialogue that comes out of her mouth. A Filmfare award well deserved, and also a no.2 on our sequel Top Bollywood Villains list. Says it all, I guess.
1. Kafanchor Neta, Lamboo Atta, Bulla, Chutiya, Pote, ,Lucky Chikna, Ibu Hatela, Kala Shetty, Bachu Bhigona – Film: Gunda
Achievements and Activities: King of rhymes and innuendos, this array of Bollywood villains is possibly the most creative characters to embrace the Indian screen ever. They can only be spoken of collectively, and it is only in this ensemble, that their true colours can be fully enjoyed. Collectively these villains encompass the entire spectrum of Bollywood’s villain occupations viz. rapist, corrupt politician, slimey wimey lustrous wankers, murderers, ganglords, prisoners.. the list goes on.
