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New Delhi: Back in the 80s and 90s, Bollywood always had larger-than-life heroes, but every hero needs a strong and cruel villain. And so, the ’80s and ’90s were a golden era for Bollywood villains – so intense, menacing, stylish, and cruel that they sometimes even outshone the heroes.

Bollywood, undoubtedly, produced some of the most memorable and iconic negative characters, leaving a lasting impact on Indian cinema. From Mocambo to Shakaal, these villains brought an undeniable energy to the screen. Let’s take a look at the most unforgettable villains of Bollywood.

1. Amrish Puri

No list of Bollywood villains is complete without Amrish Puri. He dominated the villainous landscape of the 80s and 90s with her deep baritone voice and piercing eyes. His character Mocambo popularised the catchphrase ‘Mogambo khush hua’. Amrish Puri also made Mocambo one of the iconic characters with his acting prowess. His other memorable villainous characters are Baldev Singh from Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Jagavar in Vidhaata and Thakur Durjan Singh in Karan Arjun.

2. Danny Denzongpa

Danny Denzongpa was another iconic villain of Bollywood, known for his menacing yet calm presence. The stylish villain of Indian cinema was known for his role as Kacha Cheena in Agneepath. His dialogue, ‘Naam hai Kancha, Kancha Cheena’ sent chills down the audiences’ spine. His other memorable roles are Kaatya in Ghatak and Dilawar in Hum.

3. Amjad Khan

His most iconic negative role was as Gabbar Singh in Sholay, but he continued to be a dominant villain in the ’80s and early ’90s. His other notable villain roles are Sher Khan in Mard, Pasha in Nastik, and Dilawar in Humse Na Takrana.

4. Gulshan Grover

Gulshan Grover was the ‘Bad Man’ of Bollywood. He carved a niche for himself with his stylish villainous roles. Some of his iconic roles are Kesariya Vilayati in Ram Lakhan, Chappal Chorni in Vishwatma and Ballu Bakra in Sir.

5. Shakti Kapoor

Shakti Kapoor’s negative characters were a unique blend of humour and cruelty. Some of his iconic roles are Crime Master Gogo in Anadaz Apna Apna, Balma in Tohfa, and Chutia in Raja Babu.

6. Raza Murad

Raza Murad’s deep voice and towering presence made him a perfect choice for villainous roles. Some of his memorable roles are Madho Singh in Ram Lakhan, Zalim Singh in Prem Rog, and Dr. Dang in Karma.

7. Kiran Kumar

Kiran Kumar was one of the underrated masterminds of Bollywood. Some of his suave and deadly villain roles are Lala Roshan Lal in Tezaab, Khokha Singh in Khuda Gawah, and Shamsher Singh in Jigar.

8. Sadashiv Amrapurkar

The unconventional villain of Indian cinema, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, wasn’t really physically intimidating like Amrish Puri, but his performances were spine-chilling. Some of his unforgettable roles are Maharani in Sadak, Rama Shetty in Ardh Satya, and Bharav Singh in Ishq, among others.

9. Kulbhushan Kharbanda

Kulbhushan Kharbanda was known for playing negative roles which were not loud but exuded menace. Some of his iconic roles are Shakaal in Shaan, Jagat Narayan in Gupt, and Kishan Lal in Ghayal, among others.