There’s a certain chill a convincing villain sends down one’s spine. Bergmans in Kadal . Adiseshan in Sivaji . Victor in Yennai Arindhaal . Ravi Kiran in Anegan . That’s perhaps why we remember them by their character names, even when we refer to the protagonists of these films by their off-screen names. While it may be common in Hollywood for an actor to play a negative role only to return as hero later, in Tamil cinema, a switch to the dark side is often considered suicide, writing off a fan following earned over the years.
“People told me I was ruining an ‘image’ I had built over 18 years in the industry when I signed Yennai Arindhaal ,” says Arun Vijay.“That’s understandable if you’re playing villain to a lesser actor but I was being cast opposite Ajith. I had not done such a role earlier, so my only worry was my role may go unnoticed. But I remember feeling a burst of energy when we were shooting the split-screen phone conversation scene with Ajith sir. As an actor, I was discovering something new and it was fascinating. Everywhere I go, people call me Victor.” The actor is currently shooting for a Kannada film Chakravyuha , where he plays a negative role.
‘Action King’ Arjun played the devilish Bergmans in Mani Ratnam’s Kadal — a role he signed “without a tinge of worry”. He says that the role of a hero is constricting, whereas a villain presents limitless opportunity as an actor. “I felt like I was being given a new pair of wings,” Arjun says. “It’s an opportunity to be at your creative best.”
Suman, a hero in the 1980s, returned to Tamil cinema as villain in Shankar’s Sivaji . He says, “When you play the hero, there are so many rules. You can’t touch your hair, rub your hands or play with your moustache. Also we end up looking the same from film to film. Playing the antagonist gives you opportunities to try new things, new looks and get-ups for each film.” For Suman, the switch has opened up new markets. “As a star you’re limited to just one or two languages. Playing villain is why I got the opportunity to act in a Hindi film, Gabbar Is Back , opposite Akshay Kumar.”
But it has taken Tamil cinema’s top directors (Shankar, Mani Ratnam, Gautham Menon and K.V. Anand) to convince these actors to embrace their dark side. “A good director spots something in you that you yourself are not aware of,” says Arun Vijay about Gautham Menon casting him in Yennai Arindhaal . “Audiences don’t really care about an actor’s ‘image’. In fact, my role in Yennai Arindhaal is expected to give me my biggest opening.” He is speaking about Vaa Deal, set to release later next month, where he plays the hero. The evolution of the villain, from a one-dimensional character, has made the role a coveted one. “All villains aren’t rapists and murderers any more,” says Suman, who’s débuting as villain in Telugu with Rudhramadevi . “Films have become smarter and so have villains. It’s not just about overpowering the hero; it’s also about outsmarting them. Directors write our roles justifying the character’s journey until then. This adds dimensions to our portrayal.” It is not just the writing; even the benefits have improved, adds Suman. “The remuneration we’re paid and the perks we’re given are much better than before. So there’s not much I miss from those days.” He adds, with a smile, “But of course, you don’t get the heroines anymore.”
