Saif Ali Khan has consistently defied conventional heroic norms, embracing complex and nuanced anti-hero roles that showcase his remarkable versatility as an actor. From the cold-blooded Langda Tyagi in ‘Omkara’ to the cunning and charismatic Karan Singh in ‘Ek Hasina Thi,’ Saif has expertly navigated the grey areas of human nature, bringing depth and intrigue to his characters.
With a filmography peppered with memorable anti-heroes, Saif has cemented his reputation as a bold and daring performer, willing to take on roles that challenge and captivate audiences. Here, let’s look at some of his memorable performances in a negative role.
Also Read
Devara: Part 1 (2024)
In the newly released film ‘Devara: Part 1’, Saif plays the role of Bhaira, one of the heads of the four villages on Ratnagiri. Although he works with Devara (played by Jr. NTR), he is jealous of Devara and is a greedy and power-hungry character. The role, which marks Saif’s Telugu debut, is that of the antagonist in the film, who desperately wants to kill Devara and makes several plots to do so. Saif’s performance in the movie is one of the best ones and is also a highlight of ‘Devara: Part 1’.
Adipurush (2023)
Although the film’s fate met with a huge controversy before and after its release, in Om Raut’s magnum opus ‘Adipurush,’ Saif played the role of Lankesh while Prabhas and Kriti Sanon were seen as Raghav (Lord Ram) and Janaki (Sita). Among the many controversies that surrounded the film, Saif’s look and costume were one of them. Despite the controversies, many applauded Saif’s act for its intensity, grit, and body language.
Kurbaan (2009)
Even though Saif was a leading actor in Rensil D'Slva's directorial debut 'Kurbaan', his role as Ehsaan Khan/Khalid Anwar was that of an anti-hero. Paired opposite Kareen Kapoor Khan, he plays a man who is a member of an Islamist terrorist group. Ehsaan fakes his love for Avantika (Kareena) to marry her for a green card. She finds out about his true identity after marriage, following which he threatens her to kill her father and thus captivates her inside the house. Despite good reviews, 'Kurbaan' was a commercial failure at the box office.
Omkara (2006)
In Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘Omkara’, a Hindi adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, Saif was cast as Langda Tyagi (Lago). It is undoubtedly the best role that Saif has played to date, and it has left a remarkable impression of his acting versatility. Saif’s performance as the brutal Langda Tyagi can also be mapped by the fact that he won eight Best Villain awards at various awards ceremonies, including the Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards, Screen Awards, and Zee Cine Awards.
Ek Hasina Thi (2004)
Acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s 2004 neo-noir action thriller ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ is considered one of the best works of Urmila Matondar, Saif, and Sriram. As Karan Singh in the movie, Saif’s character embodied charisma but with cruelty. Saif’s character is of a charming man who begins to romance Sarika (Urmila) only to frame her in a criminal case that lands her in prison for seven years without parole. Not only is the film a critical success, but it also performed well at the box office, earning more than double its budget
Published: 28 Sept 2024, 08:25 am IST
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.