When a Villain becomes the second hero…
Recently there was a statement from S S Rajamouli that, "Ramayan would not have existed without Ravana and Baahubali wouldn’t have without Bhallala Deva".A hero is no good without a villain: a tougher villain makes the toughest hero. Bhallala Deva had more than everything just as Baahubali did; from chiseled body, strength, intelligence, and power but with a different motive. Given 100% consideration for Rajamouli’s creativity, the coronation ceremony of Amarendra accepting the role as a new commander-in-chief looked magnanimously majestic on screen because of the previous debasing acceptance when Bhallaladeva was crowned as the new king. So, a villain’s contribution in making a hero a superhero cannot be forgotten.
On the same thought, we have some awesome villains in the recent times who outstood our heroes. Like,
Siddharth Abhimanyu / Venkanna as Aravind Swamy
Dhruva (Tamil remake Thani Oruvan)
How many could accept a heartthrob of 90s as a villain? It was unimaginable, but he was an evil dressed in Armani with a lover boy look. A classy super smart intelligent business who triggered every nerve of the hero. He stayed in our brains even after the movie more than the hero because the hero wouldn’t have got an opportunity to explore his intelligence without him.
Arun Vijay as Victor Manoharan
Entha Vaadu Gani(Tamil dubbingYennai Arindhaal)
Peter had captivated Thala’s hard-wired fans who overwhelmingly embraced Arun after the FDFS of Yennai Arindhaal. He was natural in every frame; as a friend and as an enemy letting in a mass act. His dance moves were no less than a hero, even better than Thala. The second half showed his rage and arrogance combining a mass appeal with a class outlook doing justice to his role every moment.
Jagapati Babu as Jitendra
Legend
What do u expect when a pleasant romantic hero turns a villain? This was an example that every human being has an evil and angel inside and what comes out depends on what he wants. That was how Jagapati Babu roped into the character of Jitendra. He was not a usual violent driven soul but an egoistic soul who did not want to let u go. His stylish looks, body language, his “Gayam” emotions and fiery attitude left us wanting more of him that way.
Prakash Raj as Narasimha
Anthapuram
A stubborn patriarch who lives in his own world filled with old principles. His dominating attitude making his son’s life miserable made audience feel helpless to Soundarya. Every moment he stuck to his rage and ego showing an example of how a ridiculously orthodox old man can be a terror to someone. Even after he lets Soundarya get away with her life he carries the same attitude without declining left us blinking.
Ramya Krishnan as Neelambari
Narasimha (Tamil dubbing Padayappa)
A negative role sometimes decides an actor's career and hence refused by many actresses was accepted by Ramya Krishnan without a second thought proves she is a true actor. She was tailor made for the role as she was as terrific as Rajanikanth. She was responsible for creating a trend of women villains in south Indian films. Her arrogance and ruthless acts made us clench our teeth and many women showed it by abusing her later in reality. If that movie is a classic today she is one of the reason.
