Time and again villains have become the new poster boys in Hindi cinema. Portraying evil on screen is no longer that of a prop actor. Playing anti-hero is not an evil proposition to win over the fans anymore. To name a few superstars like Sanjay Dutt, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Vivek Oberoi have willingly taken villainous acts and are not afraid of experimenting with image anymore.
Neeraj Bharadwaj
Joining the bandwagon is Neeraj Bharadwaj the versatile actor who for the last 15-year essaying various major roles including the lead in television serials and films. Neeraj had featured in Hindi films like Prem Shastra, Bhookha Sher, Taqdeer Ka Sikander, Waqt Ke Shehzaade including Bhojpuri films like Munnibai Nautankiwali, Maiyya Rakhiye SenurwaAbaad; where he played the lead, amongst many others. He had memorable roles in T.V. serials like Ehsaas, Jaaye Kahan?, Kaanch Ke Rishtey, Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Bandhan Kachche Dhaagon Ka and others. Now buzz is that this talented actor is playing a baddie in Cine Multimedia’s upcoming Hindi film Yeh Dil Na Hota Aawara. The film is being produced and directed by Raj Sehgal. The film has been launched recently with a song recording and it will mount the sets next month.
Speaking about his role in the film, Neeraj Bharadwaj says, “I am playing the main villain in this film. I will be seen as ‘Anna’, the powerful Mafia Don. With this film I will be known as the notorious baddie and will be known as the despicable fiends of the Indian screen. It is difficult and challenging to portray villainy on screen.” He further adds that there are a couple of more films playing the bad man on his platter which he intends to reveal about it later.
Playing different roles is a challenging proposition for an actor. “Every actor wants author-backed roles. Playing a bad boy is stimulating. Every villainous act requires looking different with make-up, get-ups and portraying the character with his style of presenting the dialogue. The actor’s own inventiveness should ink in the character. This is what satisfies the thirst of an actor in me. Playing stereo-typed roles tend to saturate at one given point,” says Bharadwaj.
One more bad boy joins the ranks of evil proposition in the emerging trend. Bollywood is rediscovering the villain – more ruthless and evil than ever before.