Dhurandhar to Sholay:9 Films Where Villains Overshadowed the Film's protagonist
The hero fights, the hero wins, and the hero takes the glory. But every once in a while, an actor flips the script"”not on paper, but in the hearts of the audience. The internet is currently in a meltdown over Dhurandhar, where history seems to be repeating itself in the most spectacular fashion. While Ranveer Singh brings his trademark energy to the screen, it is Akshaye Khanna who has walked away with the film's soul. Critics and audiences alike are calling Khanna's performance dark, electric, and terrifying, noting how his calculated madness has completely overshadowed the protagonist. It is a rare feat to outshine a powerhouse like Ranveer, but Akshaye's sinister portrayal is being hailed as a career-best, reminding us of the golden rule: sometimes, it's just more fun to be bad.
1. Dhurandhar (2025)
Hero: Ranveer Singh | Villain: Akshaye Khanna
In what critics are calling a career-defining turn, Akshaye Khanna has flipped the script completely. His dark, electric, and terrifying portrayal has generated massive online buzz, overshadowing Ranveer Singh's high-energy performance. Khanna's stillness, cold stare, and methodical dialogue delivery reportedly caused pin-drop silence in theatres. Many reviewers noted that every frame featuring him carried an unpredictable tension, making his character the film's psychological core.
Status: Trending Blockbuster
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2. Sholay (1975)
Heroes: Amitabh Bachchan & Dharmendra | Villain: Amjad Khan (Gabbar Singh)
Gabbar Singh remains the ultimate benchmark. Despite the star power of Jai and Veeru, Amjad Khan's maniacal laugh and olive greens became the face of the film. His dialogue, Kitne aadmi the?, is arguably more famous than the film itself. Gabbar's unpredictable cruelty made him terrifying even in scenes with minimal movement"”an approach that influenced how Bollywood wrote villains for decades. Film historians widely consider Gabbar one of the greatest antagonists in Indian cinema.
Box Office: ₹15 Crore (India Net) All-Time Blockbuster
3. Darr (1993)
Hero: Sunny Deol | Villain: Shah Rukh Khan (Rahul Mehra)
The movie that proved the audience loves a complex villain. SRK's stuttering K-K-K-Kiran garnered immense sympathy, leaving the muscular hero Sunny Deol feeling sidelined in the final edit. SRK's obsessive intensity, silent breakdowns, and unpredictable outbursts added layers rarely explored at the time. His performance not only overshadowed the hero but also marked the beginning of his rise as one of Bollywood's biggest stars, despite playing a negative role.
Box Office: ₹10.91 Crore (India Net) Blockbuster
4. Padmaavat (2018)
Hero: Shahid Kapoor | Villain: Ranveer Singh (Alauddin Khilji)
Before he was overshadowed in Dhurandhar, Ranveer did the overshadowing here. His animalistic, unhinged energy as Khilji devoured the screen, making the noble silence of Shahid Kapoor's character fade into the background. Ranveer's physical transformation, bloodshot eyes, and predatory body language became the cultural talking point of 2018. Many critics argued that Khilji"”not the titular queen"”was the emotional high point of the narrative.
Box Office: ₹302.15 Crore (India Net) Blockbuster
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5. Mr. India (1987)
Hero: Anil Kapoor | Villain: Amrish Puri (Mogambo)
Anil Kapoor had the invisibility watch, but Amrish Puri had the screen presence. With his blonde wig and the iconic line Mogambo Khush Hua, the villain became a cultural phenomenon. Mogambo's eccentric lair, loyal army, and operatic style made him more memorable than even the film's special-effects-driven hero. Puri's booming voice and theatrical delivery created a villain children feared yet imitated with delight.
Box Office: ₹5.40 Crore (India Net) Super Hit
6. Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997)
Hero: Bobby Deol | Villain: Kajol (Isha Diwan)
The twist that shook the nation. Kajol played the sweet lover for two hours, only to reveal herself as a psychopath in the climax. Her range stunned audiences and stole the spotlight from Bobby Deol, earning her a historic Best Villain award. Kajol's transformation from gentle to murderous was so seamless that reviewers called it one of her finest performances. The film is still remembered primarily for her shocking reveal.
Box Office: ₹18.11 Crore (India Net) Hit
7. Sangharsh (1999)
Hero: Akshay Kumar | Villain: Ashutosh Rana (Lajja Shankar Pandey)
While the film was an average grosser, the performance is legendary. Ashutosh Rana's portrayal of a religious fanatic was so terrifying"”especially the scene where he screams with his eyes"”that it completely eclipsed the lead pair. His unsettling calmness followed by violent rage left a lasting psychological impact. Over time, Rana's role has achieved cult status and is considered one of Bollywood's scariest performances ever.
Box Office: ₹5.97 Crore (India Net) Average
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8. Ek Villain (2014)
Hero: Sidharth Malhotra | Villain: Riteish Deshmukh (Rakesh Mahadkar)
Riteish Deshmukh, known for comedy, shocked everyone by playing a frustrated serial killer. His ordinary, middle-class demeanor made his crimes even more chilling, grabbing more attention than the brooding hero. Critics praised how Riteish used silence, guilt, and suppressed anger to create a villain who felt disturbingly real. His portrayal became the main reason for the film's massive word-of-mouth success.
Box Office: ₹105.76 Crore (India Net) Super Hit
9. Shaan (1980)
Heroes: Amitabh Bachchan & Shashi Kapoor | Villain: Kulbhushan Kharbanda (Shakaal)
With a shark tank and a subterranean island, Shakaal was the coolest thing about this movie. Modeled after Bond villains, his sophisticated evil overshadowed the antics of the two lead superstars. Shakaal's bald look, calm voice, and eerie composure became his signature traits. To this day, he is remembered as one of Bollywood's most stylish antagonists, making the hero duo feel surprisingly ordinary.
Box Office: ₹4.25 Crore (India Net) Average/ Hit
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