90s Bollywood Stars Find New Life as Powerful Villains
Bollywood actors from the 1990s are no longer playing traditional heroes. Instead, they are stealing the show as main antagonists in recent blockbuster films. This shift highlights changing audience tastes and creates fresh opportunities for seasoned performers.
Akshaye Khanna and Bobby Deol Lead the Charge
Akshaye Khanna and Bobby Deol exemplify this exciting trend. Both actors have made impressive comebacks in pivotal villain roles. Khanna starred in Dhurandhar and Chhaava, which earned massive domestic box office collections of ₹863 crore and ₹600.10 crore respectively. Deol appeared in Animal, crossing the ₹550 crore mark in 2023.
Trade experts point to several factors driving this change. Rahul Puri, managing director of Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas, notes that using these actors as strong antagonists adds weight to films. He calls it a golden period for underutilized talent.
Why This Strategy Works
Placing yesteryear stars opposite younger leads creates compelling conflict and drama. Audiences take these experienced actors seriously, enhancing the film's impact. In big-budget productions, they command up to ₹30 crore in remuneration along with substantial screen time and quality dialogues.
Ashutosh Agarwal, owner of Star World Cinemas in Uttar Pradesh, observes that times have changed. Viewers now welcome actors exploring different genres beyond routine love stories.
OTT Platforms Pave the Way
Steady presence on streaming services has familiarized younger viewers with these actors' work. Many discover their earlier films through platforms like Amazon MX Player, where Deol featured in Ek Badnaam Aashram. This exposure facilitates their return to the big screen.
Southern Industries and Cost Control
While Hindi cinema refines this approach, southern film industries have long paired regional stars with established Hindi faces. Sanjay Dutt appeared alongside Vijay in Leo and Prabhas in The Raja Saab. Saif Ali Khan featured in Devara: Part 1 with Jr NTR and in Adipurush with Prabhas.
Film producer Yusuf Shaikh highlights another benefit. Casting these comeback actors alongside newer faces helps control costs for mid-budget cinema. They are proven names that can attract audiences to theaters.
Female Actors and Future Prospects
Female stars from the same era, including Tabu and Madhuri Dixit, have also transitioned into key roles across films and streaming platforms. However, their projects have not yet achieved comparable box-office success. Current productions are not specifically designed to position them against younger leads for similar theatrical impact.
This second innings for 90s Bollywood stars demonstrates a dynamic evolution in Indian cinema. It offers fresh narratives and leverages veteran talent in innovative ways.
