In the history of Indian cinema, villains have often overshadowed their heroic counterparts with iconic dialogues, evil grins, and dominating screen presence. Decades later, these villains are still remembered as the epitome of evil.
Kulbhushan Kharbanda as the bald, sinister Shaakal in ‘Shaan’ (1980), Ashutosh Rana as Lajja Shankar Pandey, a terrifying religious fanatic in ‘Sangharsh’ (1999), Saif Ali Khan as the scheming and malevolent Langda Tyagi in ‘Omkara’ (2006), and Sanjay Dutt as ruthless Kancha Cheena in ‘Agneepath’ (2012) remain unforgettable. But one character that stands out and became iconic is Mogambo from “Mr. India”, portrayed by the late Amrish Puri. Another promising character all set to become iconic is the chameleon-like ‘Yaskin’, played by the living legend Kamal Haasan in India’s most ambitious film, “Kalki 2898 AD”.
Mogambo – Mr. India (1987): Amrish Puri’s portrayal of Mogambo in ‘Mr. India’ remains iconic. Mogambo, with his ambition to rule the world, terrified audiences with his impeccable acting abilities. His dialogue ‘Mogambo khush hua’ is etched in the annals of Indian cinema. ‘Mr. India’, a film ahead of its time, has aged gracefully, with Mogambo becoming a symbol of ultimate villainy.
Yaskin – Kalki 2898 AD (2024): In the upcoming film ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, Kamal Haasan takes on a villainous role that has already created significant buzz. Known for his ability to transform both physically and mentally for his roles, Haasan appears in a menacing avatar with an aged, textured complexion and a shaved head. His chilling line from the trailer, ‘Daro Mat, Ek Naya Yug Aa Raha Hai,’ delivered in his husky voice, has given audiences goosebumps. His character, aiming to destroy the world, is highly anticipated as an iconic villain in the making.
While Mogambo wanted to rule the world, Kamal Haasan’s character poses a threat to humanity. Even a glimpse of the character has the power to send chills down your spine. Audiences worldwide are eagerly anticipating his deadly avatar in this magnum opus releasing on 27th June 2024.
These villains, with their sinister auras and powerful screen presences, have etched themselves into the history of Indian cinema, continuing to haunt and fascinate audiences worldwide.