Rajkummar Rao and Hansal Mehta Pick Their Top 5 Villains

Rajkummar Rao and Hansal Mehta weigh in on their top 5 villains of all time.

Rajkummar Rao and Hansal Mehta at The Quint office. 

(Photo: The Quint/Abhishek Ranjan)

The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture.

Alfred Hitchcock

Omerta is a villain or antagonist-led movie which is directed by Hansal Mehta, starring Rajkummar Rao as Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a notorious British-Pakistani terrorist.

It is one of those rare Bollywood films in which the villain is the leading man. But unlike Darr or Baazigar, Omerta is about a real person and the treatment is also suitably realistic. Since the film is about a dark character, so actor Rajkummar Rao and director Hansal Mehta shared with us who according to them are the top cinematic villains.

From Amjad Khan in Sholay to Heath Ledger in Dark Knight, some of the most memorable cinematic characters have been villains.

Rajkummar Rao & Hansal’s Top 5 Villains

Number 5

• Irrfan khan In Hasil

The audience hated Irrfan Khan in the film as he played Ranvijay. He plays the role of a gang leader in University of Allahabad. Ranvijay (Irrfan khan) who will go to any lengths to get what he wants.

He made it so human, so real, so believable and still so scary.

Rajkummar Rao

(Photo Courtesy: Movie poster)

• Manoj Bajpai in Aks

Aks is a supernatural thriller that released in 2001. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra starring Amitabh Bachchan, Raveena Tandon and Manoj Bajpayee in the lead roles.

When I think of Manoj Bajpayee’s laugh, to this day, it haunts me.

Hansal Mehta

(Photo Courtesy: The Hot Spot Cafe)

Number 4

• Amjad Khan in Sholay

For Hansal, the fourth place was taken away by Gabbar Singh from Sholay. Played by Amjad Khan, it is one of the most iconic Bollywood villains. Dacoit Gabbar Singh terrorises a village in a ruthless role and has very catchy dialogues.

Gabbar Singh will always remain the greatest villain ever. 

Hansal Mehta

(Photo Courtesy: Movie poster)

(Photo Courtesy: Movie poster)

• Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men

Javier Bardem plays the role of a hitman with no remorse or compassion. In the theatrical run of the movie, Javier's character was appreciated and well-received by the audience. It also got him an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for this performance.

He was so cold-blooded. He was not doing anything. It was just in his looks.

Rajkummar Rao

Number 3

• Amrish Puri as Mogambo in Mr. India

Hansal’s pick was Mogambo. No one can say “Mogambo Khush Hua” quite as menacingly as the legendary Amrish Puri from Shekhar Kapur’s Mr. India (1987).

(Photo Courtesy: Cinestaan) 

For Rajkummar Rao the third place was taken by Gabbar Singh in Sholay.

Number 2

• Anthony Hopkins from The Silence of the Lambs

Anthony Hopkins was casted as Dr Hannibal Lecter who is a forensic-psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer.

Those eyes, the way he looked at Jodie Foster. There was so much violence in his eyes.

Rajkummar Rao

(Photo Courtesy: Movie poster)

• Shahrukh Khan in Anjam

Anjaam is a psychological thriller film directed by Rahul Rawail, it stars Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan in lead roles.

Shahrukh played negative roles in <i>Baazigar</i> and <i>Darr</i>. In <i>Anjaam</i>, he was playing someone who is obsessed with Madhuri’s character and he was more menacing.

Hansal Mehta

(Photo Courtesy: Pinterest) 

• Heath Ledger in Dark Knight

Who doesn't know about this iconic character? Heath Ledger plays the role of joker who is a psychopath villain and it is one of the best renditions of DC's Joker so far.

Till date I have a lot of his scenes in my phone, which I always go back to, to keep myself motivated.

Rajkummar Rao

(Photo Courtesy: Movie Poster)

• Irrfan Khan In Hasil

He created a new cinematic language along with Tigmanshu Dhulia. It wasn’t a larger than life character but the fear he created was way more.

Hansal Mehta

Who do you think got it bang on! Maybe it’s time to pick your own evil man. Do let us know in the comments section below.