We often find ourselves drawn to characters who walk a fine line between good and evil. These anti-heroes have a way of making us root for them with their complex personalities, questionable morals and surprisingly, their ability to steal our hearts. In this article, we’ll explore six unforgettable anti-heroes.
Amitabh Bachchan in Don
Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of ‘Don’ (1978), a powerful criminal who is killed by the police and replaced by his lookalike Vijay, was a groundbreaking role. Bachchan was the original anti-hero in Bollywood and ‘Don’ became one of the highest-grossing films of that year, earning a golden jubilee status according to box office India.
Shah Rukh Khan in Darr
‘Darr’ (1993) marked a pivotal moment in Bollywood when Shah Rukh Khan stepped into the shoes of the obsessive and psychotic anti-hero, Rahul. Despite his villainous acts, Khan’s charismatic portrayal made audiences feel an unusual mix of fear and sympathy, cementing his status as an iconic anti-hero.
Saif Ali Khan in Omkara
Saif Ali Khan took a bold step away from his usual romantic hero roles to play the role of Langda Tyagi in ‘Omkara’ (2006). His transformation into this devious character was astonishing. Khan’s performance as the anti-hero left a lasting impact on viewers, making Langda Tyagi one of the most memorable anti-heroes in Indian cinema.
Akshay Kumar in 2.0
Akshay Kumar embraced the role of the anti-hero in ‘2.0’ (2018), the Hindi dubbed version of the Tamil film. His portrayal required extensive prosthetic makeup and animatronics to transform into his character, adding a new dimension to his career.
Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2
Hrithik Roshan embraced the role of the suave and cunning thief, Aryan Singh in ‘Dhoom 2’ (2006). His heists, elaborate disguises and electrifying dance sequences left audiences in awe, blurring the line between right and wrong.
Rajkummar Rao in Guns & Gulaabs
In ‘Guns & Gulaabs’ (2023), Rajkummar Rao portrayed the character of Paana Tipu, a charming mechanic who is also a gangster. What made Tipu stand out was not just his criminal endeavours but the comical way Rao portrayed him. Tipu, though far from being a typical hero, won hearts with his quirky antics and a knack for finding humour in even the driest situations.
