Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor, celebrated for his heroic roles in films like Sanju and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, has a surprising confession. The actor's on-screen calm charm is shaped by a childhood fascination not with heroes, but with the villains of Hindi cinema.
Why Villains Often Steal the Spotlight
In the third episode of his candid video series, RK Tapes, Kapoor reflected on the enduring power of iconic antagonists. He challenged the classic notion that good always triumphs over evil, at least in audience memory. "They say in a fight between good and evil, it's the good that always wins. But the bad guys often steal the show," he admitted.
He cited legendary examples where the villain became more iconic than the hero. Gabbar Singh from Sholay overshadowed Jai and Veeru, while Kancha Cheena in Agneepath dominated the narrative. Ranbir even playfully twisted Shah Rukh Khan's famous Baazigar dialogue to highlight the magnetic pull of great screen evil.
Praise for the Masters of Mayhem
Ranbir looked back at actors who redefined the Bollywood villain. He praised Shah Rukh Khan's early negative roles, specifically mentioning his iconic turn. He then highlighted the Dhoom franchise for reviving stylish, high-impact antagonists. "All the villains in the Dhoom franchise stunned everyone, it's unbelievable," he said.
His admiration extended to contemporary performances. He reserved special praise for Ranveer Singh's chilling portrayal of Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat. Ranbir noted that the performance was so haunting that the character lingered with the audience long after the film ended.
For modern villains, Ranbir placed Sanjay Dutt on a high pedestal. "And what do I even say about Sanjay Dutt? I think he's one of the best villains in recent times. The ultimate khalnayak," he expressed with deep respect.
A Personal Dream to Embrace the Dark Side
The most revealing part of his conversation was a personal ambition. Ranbir Kapoor confessed his dream to play a full-fledged negative role one day. He philosophized about the hero-villain dynamic, stating that a hero needs a villain to showcase his heroism.
"I have a dream that once I will do a negative role and people will tell their kids 'so jaa, so jaa nahi toh Ranbir aa jayega!' (Sleep, or else Ranbir will come get you!)," he shared. He is excited about the evolution of villainous characters in cinema, which are becoming more complex and interesting, and looks forward to future performances that will redefine evil.
On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor is currently gearing up for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love and War alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. He will also be seen in a monumental role as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, where Sai Pallavi plays Sita and Yash portrays the epic villain Ravana.
