Five Hindi Films Where Women Aced As Antagonists

The Hindi film industry is no more just experimenting with male actors as antagonists. With a huge shift in storylines in the past decade the films being projected differently, female actors are gracing substantial roles as antagonists in Hindi films, and totally  acing them.

Female villains in Hindi films have been creating a buzz with their performances over the years. With several leading female actors taking the plunge and experimenting with negative roles in films, they are proving their versatility across genres by delivering some of the best performances of their careers. We discuss below the five films where women have stolen the show with their performances as negative characters. 

Suggested reading: Making Superheroes Sweat: Meet The Best Female Villains Of Marvel Cinematic Universe

Five Female Villains in Hindi films who aced their roles

Mouni Roy in Brahmāstra

The recently released Brahmāstra has made waves in more ways than one. However, actor Mouni Roy, who plays an antagonist, Junoon in the multi-starrer film, is earning praise for her choice of role. The fantasy action-adventure film, which was released on September 9 recently, shows Roy in a distinct avatar. This is the most versatile role of Roy's career. Roy, essaying the role of the Queen of Darkness on screen. The viewers have been appreciating her effort showering praises across social media.

Juhi Chawla in Gulaab Gang

Gulaab Gang, which was released in 2014, proved to be a well-received unconventional film starring actors Juhi Chawla and Madhuri Dixit. The action-drama film, which was centered on the complexities and struggles women face in rural areas, generated good reviews. Another reason why the film was much talked about was owing to Juhi Chawla’s performance as the antagonist. Chawla played the role of a scheming, manipulative politician and earned massive praise for her role. Chawla brilliantly played the villainous character which was unexpected, especially when her career trajectory has been full of protagonist roles

Vidya balan in Ishqiya

Ishqiya, which was released in 2010, brought Vidya Balan in a completely new avatar. Balan played a cold-blooded villain for the very first time in the film. One of the most versatile actors, Balan has played diverse roles on screen, and her performance in Ishqiya became one of her best-delivered performances in Hindi films. She played the role of a widow in a small town in Uttar Pradesh who hatched plans and avenged on screen, all the while owning her personality, and desires and controlling the people around her. More than a completely negative character, Balan played shades of grey and emerged as a top performer.

Konkona Sen Sharma in Ek Thi Dayaan

Ek Thi Daayan, which was released in 2013, sent shivers down our spines with its unique and bold storyline. Actor Konkona Sen Sharma delivered a terrific performance with her role of a witch disguised as a mysterious khadi-clad woman. The supernatural drama features Sharma as the ‘daayan’, who is not only mysterious but severely spooky with her quiet yet strong demeanour. Sharma, who has always played some great roles across cinema, certainly aced this role like no other.

Priyanka Chopra in Aitraaz

Global icon Priyanka Chopra gave us a taste of her villainous role much before Baywatch appeared on the screen. The actor, who played a negative role in the 2004 release Aitraaz, experimented with diversity long before in her career and aced her performance perfectly. Chopra plays the role of a dominating boss who makes things work in her favour using blackmail and whatnot, regardless of right and wrong. The actor played the role with utmost bravery and it turned out to be one of the most memorable performances of her career.