17 dreaded on-screen villains of Bollywood and their iconic dialogues

It's actor Amrish Puri's birth anniversary today. In his remembrance, let's take a look at iconic Bollywood villains who over the years have inspired fear and awe in the minds of the audience

Updated On: 2019-09-03 09:26 AM IST

17 dreaded on-screen villains of Bollywood and their iconic dialogues

Amrish Puri: For two decades, he spelt terror in Bollywood. Everything bad he did had a larger than life feel to it. From Mogambo in Mr. India, Thakral in Meri Jung, Bhujang in Tridev, Balwant Rai in Ghayal to Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Iconic dialogue: Mogambo Khush Hua.

Ajit: If blink-and-miss characters like Mona and Lily attained unprecedented fame, Ajit is the one to thank. There was never a more suave baddie in Hindi cinema. From Zanjeer, Yaadon Ki Baaraat to Kalicharan.

Iconic dialogue: Sara Shehar Mujhe Loin Ke Naam Se Janata Hai.

Amjad Khan: Amjad will forever be remembered as the dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh. He did many more brilliant negative acts, but his Sholay act, especially the iconic dialogue 'Kitne Aadmi The', has been etched in our memory forever.

Iconic dialogue: Gabbar ke taap se tumhe ek hi aadmi bacha sakta hai... khud Gabbar.

Kulbhushan Kharbanda: The otherwise genial actor shocked everyone playing the unimaginably wicked Shakaal in Shaan and did a brilliant job at the same.

Iconic dialogue: Ajeeb Janwar Hai, Kitna Bhi Khaye Bhukha Hi Rehta Hai.

Danny Denzongpa: A complete natural on-screen, Danny made even playing the baddie look glamorous. From Agneepath, Hum, Krantiveer to Ghatak. He has played many of the most famous villains on-screen.

Iconic dialogue: Apna Ussool Kehta Hai Har Galati Ki Saza Maut Hai... Sirf Maut.

Gulshan Grover: In the 90s, he was so good as the baddie that he earned the sobriquet Bad Man, which was actually a popular dialogue from his film Ram Lakhan.

Iconic dialogue: Bad Man!

Sadashiv Amrapurkar: For an actor of his talent, he was grossly under-utilised in Bollywood Ardh Satya and Sadak are prime examples of his humongous capability.

Iconic dialogue: Mai Aadha Mard Hun Aur Aadhi Aurat.

Prem Nath: He played the speechless villain in Karz and pulled it off like only a genius could. Prem Nath's other notable negative acts were in Teesri Manzil, Dharmatma and Kaali Charan.

Iconic dialogue: Main Roz Kanoon Banata Hoon Aur Roz Todhta Hoon - (Dharmatma).

Anupam Kher: Although he did various negative roles at the peak of his career, Kher is most remembered as the dreaded terrorist Dr Michael Dang from Karma.

Iconic dialogue: Dr Dang Ko Aaj Pehli Baar Kisine Thapar Mara Hai - First Time - Iss Thapar Ki Goonj Suni Tumne.

Shakti Kapoor: Shakti Kapoor is popular for playing negative roles, and was in great demand for malicious roles.

Iconic dialogue: Aaaooo Lolita.

Paresh Rawal: This prolific actor needs no introduction. Paresh Rawal has done varied roles in his acting career which spans more than 3 decades. Before turning full-time comedian with Hera Pheri, Rawal featured in numerous negative roles one after the other, some of which were interspersed with crude humour.

Iconic dialogue: Teja main hoon... mark idhar hai.

Prem Chopra: He was lecherous, conniving and outright ruthless when it came to portraying a villain on-screen. Prem Chopra played varied of villainous roles on-screen during the 1970s and 1980s. His ad Rajesh Khanna's hero-villain pair was considered as lucky by the distributors back then. The duo acted in 19 films together out of which 15 were box office hits.

Iconic dialogue: (no prizes for guessing) Prem Naam Hain Mera, Prem Chopra.

Pran: Arguably the best villain of all-time, Pran's USP was the venomous expression in his eyes and his unmatched dialogue delivery. He was probably among the first negative guys to add a dash of humour to wickedness. He had played a villain opposite legendary Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor.

Iconic dialogue: Shatale, Shatale, Mera Bhi Samay Aayega (Kashmir Ki Kali).

Jeevan: He was the go to man for filmmakers in the 60s and 70s when it came to villainous roles. Like his name, he infused life into his characters. From Amar Akhbar Anthony to Dharam Veer.

Iconic dialogue: Itni achi cheez bhagwaan ke liye chod doon? Kabhi nahin!

Kanhaiyalal: When he is seen taking advantage of a helpless Nargis in Mother India, audiences seethe with anger. Such was the supreme command Kanhaiyalal had over his acting.

Iconic dialogue: Arey Radha Rani.

Ranjeet: He gave the otherwise ignored sidekicks a standing in Bollywood. Ranjeet often played the womaniser, and the viewers loved to hate him.

Iconic dialogue: Aeee...

Kader Khan: This multi-talented Khan has done all kinds of roles - outright negative, bad man with funny shades and the henchman - and has rarely disappointed

Iconic dialogue: Zindagi ka agar sahi lufz uthana hai na ... toh maut se khelo.

Next Gallery

Spotted in the city: Shalini Passi, Kartik Aaryan, Tamannaah Bhatia, and others

Related Photos