Paresh Rawal might be comedy king, but let's discuss when he was villain supreme

India Today

03-06-2025

Call him a comedy king, a versatile actor, a revelation in Hindi cinema or a fantastic theatre artiste, but Paresh Rawal is more than any label that defines his career or calibre. For a generation, though, he remained a brilliant artiste who brought alive several comedy roles - including the much-hyped, and discussed these days - Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from 'Hera Pheri'. Even though nothing made him more popular and celebrated than his comedy roles - you name a funny Hindi film, and you'll find him there - a fair portion of resume is also dedicated to negative roles.advertisementIn the 1980s and early 1990s, Bollywood featured an array of over-the-top villains - men with loud voices, flashy clothes, and dramatic dialogue. But, Rawal stood out because he played the part as subtly as possible - never screaming at the top of his voice, and always maintaining an intensity in his role. His brand of villainy was subdued, psychological, and, at times, frighteningly real. He didn't just act evil, he brought the evil alive - making the characters look like they actually existed. Again, a huge nod to his acting prowess. His roles in films like 'King Uncle' (1993), 'Sir' (1993), 'Kabzaa' (1988), and 'Baazi' (1995) stand as a testimony to the same.Take 'King Uncle', for instance. It was a family film with moral lessons and emotional moments. But, hidden in its sweet story was Tikku – a cruel and greedy orphanage caretaker, played by Rawal. The actor didn't act like the usual loud and over-the-top villain. There was no comedy or any change of heart. Just pure, realistic evil. His character showed us that villains don't always look scary. Sometimes, they wear regular clothes and hold power in everyday places. Tikku was scary because he felt too eerie, too strange and, at the same, every inch possible. Rawal made discomfort feel close to home.advertisement
Then came 'Sir' in the same year, where Rawal played Veljibhai Patel, a gangster. He was not the typical kind of gangster we usually see in Hindi cinema. Veljibhai was stuck between a gang war and his daughter's wish to live her own life. No, Veljibhai was an immensely layered character. He exuded both violence and vulnerability.Rawal's genius skills at acting made Veljibhai feel deep and real, almost like he's speaking to you - sitting right next to you, or sometimes, even by looking into your eyes. As Velji, Rawal did what most actors can't - manage to not make it look artificial or boring. He offered more vulnerability, and also remained careful of not making you feel sorry for him. You understand where Velji came from. You know him better at the end of the film, because Rawal brilliantly emoted the sensitivity and sensibility of the character - a rare trait to spot in negative roles back then.Let's go back a few years and discuss another Veljibhai of Bollywood. In 'Kabzaa' (1988), one of Rawal's early films as a villain, he played Veljibhai Soda, a ruthless land-grabber. Now, this was a formulaic villain. How Rawal played it made all the difference. Veljibhai represented the corrupt system - working like a machine, quietly and steadily crushing anyone who stood in his way. His traits included everything that made a villain look hungry for power, and, of course, more wealth. Rawal's fuming expressions, greed in his eyes and the simplistic manner of lying to people to encroach upon their land made the character look not just interesting, but also overpowering. You could see the cunning real Velji behind the mask of kindness that he put in front of the people - and you were entertained by that. It was a perfect villain for a perfect commercial Bollywood entertainer, and you always, always knew that Rawal's screen presence guaranteed more thrills.advertisementThen there was 'Baazi' (1995), Paresh Rawal played Deputy Chief Minister Chaturvedi, who at first seems like an honest and respectable leader. However later, it's revealed that he is actually Chaubey, the main villain behind all the crime and a planned assassination. Rawal perfectly shows both sides of the character, a good-natured politician on the outside and a dangerous criminal from within. It was a complex character that needed strong acting, and Rawal delivered it perfectly.Rawal's acting brilliance sets him apart. We are not the first ones to say it. But, those who have any doubt can always go back to watching the films in which he proved thoroughly entertaining as a villain. The actor, who's 70 today, has got a legacy that's difficult to not only match, but to also keep track of. He could be everyone's favourite Teja (from Andaz Apna Apna), or Gundya (from Chup Chup Ke), but all of his comedy can't take away from the villainy he did over the years in cinema. He represented power and violence, and not just on the surface but deep within our hearts and minds. His characters were warnings, studies, and sometimes, even reflections on what had been happening in society.He didn't need to stand on our heads with guns and swanky cars to prove he meant business. He was just there, existing, playing a baddie who would take the dread into our drawing rooms. He made us feel fear. And that true acting range.Trending Reel