Villains with heroic pasts

The Tamil film industry has many examples of those who turned their careers as heroes around to play villains, and vice versa.

April 14, 2016 03:57 pm | Updated 07:34 pm IST

The Tamil film industry has many examples of those who turned their careers as heroes around to play villains, and vice versa. Here are a few of those

Heroes who turned villains

Even MGR and Sivaji Ganesan were not averse to playing negative roles during their peak days. MGR in Ninaithathai Mudippavan (dual role) and Sivaji in Or Iravu . Sivaji Ganesan played a negative character in the one and only MGR-Sivaji starrer “ Goondukili ”.

However, when looking for those who went from career heroes to career villains, those who come to mind first are Jaishankar and Ravichandran.

Jaishankar, fondly known as Thennagathu James Bond and titled Makkal Kalaignar , made his debut as hero in Iravum Pagalum . In an era of MGR and Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar dominated the screen space with his own style of acting. Jaishankar has played comic-hero roles in Pattanathil Bhootham , Poova Thalaiya and many others.

After his Vallavan Oruvan , he was called as the Thennagathu James Bond and followed with a series of films as a detective. His character name would be Sankar in many detective movies that followed. His action-packed movies include Thunive Thunai , Neelagiri Express , CID Shankar and many others. The most memorable performances of Jaishankar includes Noottruku Nooru , Thunive Thunai and Vallavan Oruvan .

With the emergence of Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan, Jaishankar’s name began to fade. At that time, AVM Productions offered him a role (which was reluctantly accepted) in Murattu Kalai as a villain opposite Rajnikanth. Jaishankar played a powerful villain in that film, almost equalling the role of Rajnikanth.

Then a series of villain roles followed. He acted as a villain in Apoorva Sagotharargal , Padikkathavan , Sattam , Thanga Magan and many others. After a series of villain characters, at the later stage of his career, he began choosing his roles and played several character roles in films like Thalapathi, Arunachalam, Oomai Vizhigal, Singaravelan , and Mappillai .

Ravichandran made a grand debut in Sridhar’s “ Kadhilikka Neramillai ” and continued with many hit movies as an action-hero. His memorable movies include Adhey Kangal , Utharavindri Ulle Vaa , Madras to Pondicherry , and Naan . His fans had many monikers for him, Stunt Mannan, Evergreen hero, Velli Vizha Kathanayagan and Kalai Ulaga Ilavarasar.

Though Ravichandran and Jaishankar belonged to the same period, both dominated screen space with different mannerisms and styles. But like Jaishankar, Ravichandran was forced to accept villain roles. Who can forget his role in Oommai Vizhigal ! Ravichandran was offered villainous characters in many other films like Guru Sishyan and Amman Kovil Kizhakale.

Again like Jaishankar, towards the fag end of his career, Ravichandran played character roles in films like Arunachalam, Pammal K Sambandam, and Ramana.

Following the footsteps of Jaishankar and Ravichandran, Vijayakumar made his debut as a small time actor but in 1973 he made his place in Tamil cinema with the role he played in Ponnukku Thanga Manasu . Though he was a second hero with Sivakumar, he made his presence felt.

Vijayakumar acted as a hero in many films alongside Rajnikanth — Kaali, Kuppathu Raja and Aayiram Jenmangal . He was a hero in Aval Oru Thodarkathai, Mathura Geetham and Azhage Unnai Arathikkiren . Vijayakumar played villain characters in many films such as Thaai Veedu , and Viduthalai . After a brief lull, Vijayakumar made his mark in Maniratnam’s Agni Natchathiram . From that film onwards, Vijayakumar essayed some powerful character roles in many films like Nattammai and Badsha . He played the lead role in award-winning movies such as Kizhakku Seemayilae and Anthi Mantharai .

Last but not the least, Arun Vijay, who debuted as a hero essayed a negative role in Ajith-starrer Ennai Arinthal. Also, who can forget the riveting performance of Aravindswamy in >“Thani Oruvan” opposite ‘Jayam’ Ravi.

There were several actors who turned into antagonists in Tamil films. Suman who made his debut in "Neechal Kulam" as a hero continued his stint in some movies like Thee and so on. He played a pivotal role in Thee in which he portrayed as a sincere police officer. Rajnikanth played an anti-hero character in that film. Later on, he moved to Telugu filmdom. After a brief lull, Suman returned to Tamil cinema as a villain. His performance in " Sivaji - the Boss " opposite Rajnikanth was a box-office hit. He starred as a villain in "Kuruvi", Sundar C's " Murattu Kaalai ", " Alex Pandian ", and in many Telugu movies.

Like Suman, Parthipen who started his career in small roles of K. Bhagyaraj's movies, turned into a solo hero in " Puthiya Paathai ". He continued to play solo hero roles in many films to follow like " Sabaash ", "Ulle Veliye", "Pondatti Thevai" and many others. He readily accepted double hero roles like "Vetri Kodi Kattu", "Mass", "Aayirathil Oruvan" and many others.

Parthipen also turned an antagonist in " >Naanum Rowdy Thaan " with Vijay Sethupathy as hero. The film was a run-away hit in box office and Parthipen might get roles to play villain in the films to come.

Villains who turned heroes

Definitely on top of the list are Rajnikanth and Sathyaraj. Sivaji Rao Gaekwad aka Rajnikanth made his debut in Apoorva Ragangal . Bharathiraja found talent in Rajnikanth and made him a villain in 16 vayathinilae . Rajni went on to act as villain in many films like Gayathri, Moondru Mudichu, Adu Puli Aattam . Rajni and Kamal Haasan has acted together in about seven movies, with Rajni invariably essaying negative roles.

Then Rajni started acting as a second hero with prominent actors. In 1978, M. Baskar took “ Bhairavi ” and made Rajni the hero. There was no turning back after that.

However, a honourable mention is needed for his villainous Robot Rajni from Enthiran .

Sathyaraj started his career in Tamil film industry with small roles in films like Moondru Mugam and Sattam En Kayil. After his riveting performance in Nooravathu Naal , Sathyaraj essayed some powerful antagonistic roles in 24 Mani Neram, Vikram, and Kakki Sattai.

Sathyaraj turned hero in Saavi (1985). After Saavi’ s box office success, Sathyaraj played hero in films like Jeeva, Makkal En Pakkam, Maman Magal, Chinnappadas, Thai Maman, Pangali, Vazhkai Chakkaram, Rikshaw Mama, Nadigan and many others.

Even in his hero phase Sathyaraj didn’t hesitate to accept villain roles. In between he acted in Vikram, Kakki Sattai, Mr. Bharath and Pagal Nilavu . Sathyaraj essayed riveting character roles in Vedham Pudhidu, Ponnu Veetu Karan, Periyar, Thalaivaa and many other films.

In 2002, Sathyaraj re-invented himself as a hero in 6.2 and Kovai Brothers and gave food for thought to the younger actors of the period. The low-budget “ Engilishkaaran ” was a box-office hit and Sathyaraj did more such comedy roles.

The trend in Tamil cinema has changed now with heroes playing villain roles and villain playing hero roles. Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay also played an anti-hero role in " Priyamudan " during his beginning of his career, which was a box-office hit. He portrayed a negative role in " Azhagiya Thamizh Magan " which bombed at the box-office.

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