As society becomes more accepting of diversity and challenges traditional norms, Bollywood is mirroring these shifts by presenting characters who defy established conventions.
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The emergence of complex and morally ambiguous characters, often taking the form of villains turned anti-heroes, has captivated audiences and sparked discussions about the changing face of heroism in Indian cinema. To subscribe please click tau.id/2iy6f and access our live channel.
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Traditionally, Bollywood films follows a formulaic structure where the hero is virtuous, righteous, and unwavering in his commitment to justice. However, a wave of films in the past decade has flipped this narrative on its head by presenting protagonists with shades of grey.
Our mainstream heroes get the largest chunk of audience appreciation but then sometimes there are villains who take the entire cake away with their performance, tough looks and acting chops. The star becomes ‘The Hero’ only because of a conniving ‘Villain’ who keeps the audience hooked, booked and cooked to the movie.
It is the negative character in films which keeps the story tight and helps the plot in moving to an interesting edgy point. Characters, who were once the antagonists, are now taking center stage and becoming unlikely heroes in their own right.
Let’s dive into some recent films where antagonist stole the show in every right:
- Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of the menacing Alauddin Khilji in 2018 film “Padmaavat” left audiences both terrified and mesmerized.
- The 2019 film “Kabir Singh” in which Shahid Kapoor’s titular character, an alcoholic and volatile surgeon, that raised questions about the portrayal of flawed characters and their redemption arcs.
- Another consensus could be reached on the terrific acting skills displayed by Bobby Deol in recently released 2023 film “Animal” where his several minutes in the movie won the love of viewers for acing the nefarious.
- Atish Rehman of “Tiger 3” portrayed by Emraan Hashmi has to be one of his biggest villain characters that compels one to dedicate appreciation for him.
- Vijay Sethupati as Kalee Gaikwad in “Jawaan” who is least bothered about morals or virtues proved his mettle in sin.
- Dhanalakshmi played by Jaya Bachchan in “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani” is an ambitious woman, that takes her to the nastiest heights leaving her alienated, detestable and controlling in a family full of people.
- Jim played by John Abraham in “Pathaan” is one such character where he raises questions, challenges the norm, and offers the perspective from the flipped side of the coin.
The trend is not limited to intense dramas; even in the comedy genre, films like “Stree” and “Badhaai Ho” have experimented with unconventional characters. The line between the villain and the hero is deliberately blurred, creating an engaging narrative where the ‘evil’ force becomes an unlikely savior.
Viewers are embracing characters who are flawed, imperfect, and morally ambiguous, as these characters reflect the intricacies of the human experience. The phenomenon can be attributed to a shift in audience preferences and an increased appetite for narratives that mirror the complexities of real life.
