Big Stars Playing Villains In Upcoming Films: Yash, Akshay Kumar And More

Written By: Entertainment Desk

Aug 16, 2026 15:51 IST ⓘ

Yash, Akshay Kumar and more stars set to play negative roles in upcoming films.

The Indian film industry is witnessing a massive shift in how antagonists are portrayed on the big screen. The lines between the conventional hero and villain are rapidly blurring, and some of the biggest leading stars are now stepping into dark, menacing, and highly complex roles. The appeal of a larger-than-life villain has grown so much that upcoming tentpole films are banking heavily on A-list heroes turning bad. The attraction is easy to understand: a popular star carries an aura that can make the conflict feel as momentous as the hero’s journey.

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Several upcoming Indian films are taking this route, although not every character fits the conventional good-versus-evil template. Some are unambiguously sinister, while others occupy morally complicated territory or represent the opposing force in a larger mythological conflict.

From Yash’s Ravana to Akshay Kumar’s terrifying turn in ‘Haiwaan’, here is a look at the leading stars playing villains in highly anticipated upcoming films:

1. Yash - Ramayana

After becoming a pan-India phenomenon with the ‘KGF’ films, Yash will embody one of Indian mythology’s most formidable figures: Ravana. He stars alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman in director Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of the ‘Ramayana’. The first instalment is scheduled to release on November 8, 2026, with the concluding chapter planned for Diwali 2027. As per reports, the two films carry a combined production budget of approximately USD 500 million.

The epic will revisit the conflict triggered by Sita’s abduction and Rama’s campaign against Ravana, but Yash’s character may receive more psychological depth than a straightforward screen villain. The actor has spoken about approaching Ravana through his human qualities, while reports indicate that the film will devote considerable space to his backstory and relationship with his half-brother Kubera. The eventual confrontation between Ranbir and Yash is naturally being positioned as one of the saga’s biggest cinematic attractions.

2. Akshay Kumar - Haiwaan

Akshay Kumar is entering unusually dark territory in Priyadarshan’s ‘Haiwaan’, which reunites him with Saif Ali Khan. Also featuring Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar, the thriller is an official Hindi adaptation of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam film ‘Oppam’. It is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 11, 2026.

Saif plays a visually impaired caretaker with formidable fighting skills, while Akshay portrays the dangerous man pursuing him. The broad premise involves Saif’s character becoming entangled in a murder investigation and having to protect a young girl from a relentless killer. Although Akshay has previously played antiheroes and morally ambiguous men, he has described his ‘Haiwaan’ character as completely evil. That makes the film a significant reversal of the actor’s familiar heroic screen image – and gives his reunion with Saif a face-off dynamic rather than a buddy-comedy one.

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3. Abhishek Bachchan - King

Abhishek Bachchan will reportedly go up against Shah Rukh Khan in Siddharth Anand’s action thriller ‘King’, arriving in cinemas on December 24, 2026. The unusually extensive ensemble includes Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Raghav Juyal and Abhay Verma. Abhishek Bachchan has confirmed that he is working on the film, although contractual restrictions have prevented him from openly discussing his role. Earlier, Amitabh Bachchan had amplified a report identifying his son as the film’s villain.

The makers have kept the complete plot under wraps. Shah Rukh has, however, described his own protagonist as a dark, ruthless killer rather than an immaculate hero, while Suhana’s character reportedly becomes caught in a dangerous, life-changing situation. That suggests ‘King’ may be less interested in a simplistic hero-versus-villain divide than in pitting two powerful, ethically compromised men against one another.

4. Prithviraj Sukumaran - Varanasi

Prithviraj Sukumaran will play the principal antagonist Kumbha in SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’. Mahesh Babu headlines the film as Rudhra, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini. The globetrotting action adventure has officially been scheduled for a worldwide release on April 7, 2027.

SS Rajamouli has built the film on a vast mythological canvas that reportedly stretches across different continents and time periods, encompassing locations and eras associated with Africa, Antarctica, Varanasi and the Ramayana. The precise motivations of Kumbha remain secret, but the character’s presentation indicates that he will be much more than a conventional obstacle placed in Rudhra’s path. Prithviraj has considerable experience playing charming but dangerous men. Casting someone of his stature opposite Mahesh Babu ensures that ‘Varanasi’ has an antagonist capable of commanding the screen within SS Rajamouli’s enormous world.

5. Vivek Oberoi - Spirit

Vivek Oberoi is returning to outright villainy in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’. The film stars Prabhas and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles, with Kanchana, Prakash Raj and Aishwarya Desai among the other cast members. It is scheduled to arrive in theatres on March 5, 2027. Sandeep Reddy Vanga introduced Vivek as the film’s antagonist while unveiling his first look, ending earlier speculation about who would be positioned against Prabhas.

The story revolves around Prabhas’ character, a tough and uncompromising former IPS officer who finds himself behind bars. Exactly how Vivek’s antagonist contributes to his downfall – or whether their conflict begins before the imprisonment – has not been disclosed. After the intense male protagonists of ‘Arjun Reddy’ and ‘Anima’l, Sandeep Reddy Vanga appears to be expanding that emotional and physical volatility into a police action drama. Vivek’s menacing performances in ‘Company’, ‘Krrish 3’ and ‘Lucifer’, make him a natural counterweight to Prabhas, but ‘Spirit’ also gives him an opportunity to reinvent that familiar villainous presence for a new pan-India audience.

6. Saif Ali Khan - Devara 2

Saif Ali Khan will return as Bhaira in Koratala Siva’s ‘Devara: Part 2’, continuing his confrontation with Jr NTR’s Vara. The sequel will bring back Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor and Saif, with Prakash Raj, Srikanth and Shine Tom Chacko also expected to remain connected to the saga. Production was slated to begin in May 2026, and producer Sudhakar Mikkilineni confirmed that the team intends to release the film in 2027, although an exact date has not yet been announced.

The first film took place around coastal communities once protected by Devara, a man who turned against the illegal operations in which he and Bhaira had participated. The movie’s ending revealed that Devara’s son Vara had killed him, but withheld the circumstances surrounding that act. The sequel is expected to concentrate more heavily on Vara, explain the betrayal and continue his battle against Bhaira’s violent ambitions. Since Bhaira survived the first chapter and remains unaware of several crucial truths, Saif’s antagonist should have a larger role in resolving the saga’s central mystery.

7. Kamal Haasan - Kalki 2

Kamal Haasan’s Supreme Yaskin is poised to become an even greater threat in Nag Ashwin’s sequel to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan are returning as Bhairava and Ashwatthama respectively, while Deepika Padukone will not reprise her role in the follow-up. Production has moved forward with a target of releasing the film in December 2027, though a specific theatrical date remains unconfirmed.

The first film presented Yaskin as the ageing, godlike ruler of the Complex, exploiting fertile women in an attempt to create a life-restoring serum. Its finale showed him becoming physically rejuvenated and acquiring extraordinary power, setting him up as the sequel’s dominant antagonist. The continuation is expected to place his pursuit of the unborn Kalki at the centre of the conflict, with Ashwatthama sworn to protect the child and Bhairava’s connection to Karna complicating the battle. Kamal Haasan appeared comparatively briefly in the first chapter, but its climax made one thing clear: the sequel’s war truly begins when Yaskin rises.

8. Emraan Hashmi - G2

Emraan Hashmi is reportedly playing the principal antagonist in ‘G2’, the sequel to Adivi Sesh’s acclaimed 2018 espionage thriller ‘Goodachari’. Directed by Vinay Kumar Sirigineedi, the film stars Adivi Sesh, Emraan Hashmi and Wamiqa Gabbi, alongside returning actors Murali Sharma, Supriya Yarlagadda and Madhu Shalini. It was initially scheduled to release worldwide on May 1, 2026, but did not arrive on that date. A June 2026 production update confirmed that Adivi, Emraan and Wamiqa were preparing to film another major schedule in Hyderabad in July; therefore, a new release date is yet to be announced.

The spy thriller brings back Adivi as intelligence operative Arjun, also known as Agent Gopi 116, and expands his story into a much larger international mission. The precise plot and Emraan’s character details remain guarded, but he has been widely reported as the principal antagonist standing against Gopi. Shot across countries including Poland and Hungary, ‘G2’ promises a broader espionage canvas, elaborate action sequences and considerably higher stakes than its predecessor. After playing Aatish Rehman in ‘Tiger 3’, Emraan’s appearance as another powerful adversary could deliver one of the sequel’s most compelling face-offs.

9. Mohan Babu - The Paradise

Veteran Telugu star Mohan Babu will appear as the menacing Shikanja Maalik in director Srikanth Odela’s ‘The Paradise’. The film also stars Nani, Kayadu Lohar, Raghav Juyal, Sampoornesh Babu, Sonali Kulkarni and Eeshwari Rao. Initially scheduled for March, it will now release worldwide on August 21, 2026.

Set against a socially charged period backdrop, ‘The Paradise’ follows a marginalised community that has been denied basic rights for generations. Its fight against systemic oppression gains momentum when Nani’s character rises as a violent and unconventional leader. Mohan Babu was officially introduced as the primary villain, Shikanja Maalik, while Raghav Juyal is also reportedly playing a negative character. The casting promises a clash between Nani’s rebellious protagonist and an antagonist representing the oppressive power structure he is attempting to destroy.

10. Vijay Varma - Antony

Vijay Varma is reportedly playing the primary antagonist opposite Sunny Deol in ‘Antony’. The suspense-driven action thriller is being directed by Balaji Ganesh and produced by Excel Entertainment in association with filmmaker AR Murugadoss. Sunny and Vijay are the principal cast members announced through reports so far, while the remaining ensemble is yet to be revealed. The production is targeting an early 2027 theatrical release, but an exact date has not been announced.

Complete plot details remain under wraps, although ‘Antony’ is being mounted as an action thriller built around an intense confrontation between Sunny’s central character and Vijay’s villain. The casting is particularly promising because Vijay has repeatedly excelled at playing unsettling and morally corrupt men in projects such as ‘Darlings’, ‘Dahaad’ and ‘Murder Mubarak’.

11. Viineet Kumar Singh - Shakti Shalini

Viineet Kumar Singh is reportedly playing the main antagonist in ‘Shakti Shalini’, the latest supernatural chapter in Maddock Films’ Horror Comedy Universe. Directed by ‘Munjya’ filmmaker Aditya Sarpotdar, the film stars Aneet Padda and Vishal Jethwa, with Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas also reportedly joining the cast. It was officially scheduled for December 24, 2026, although subsequent reports suggested that its release could shift to January 2027. The makers have not formally announced a replacement date.

Inspired by folklore, the story reportedly follows Shakti, an ordinary woman who transforms into a protector, and Shalini, a vengeful spirit created by a violent death. The full nature of Viineet’s character has been guarded, but reports identify him as the antagonist involved in the film’s supernatural conflict. After powerful performances in ‘Mukkabaaz’, ‘Chhaava’ and ‘Jaat’, Viineet has the dramatic intensity needed to create a threatening presence within a universe already populated by witches, vampires, werewolves and other paranormal beings.

12. Kartik Aaryan - Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand

Kartik Aaryan is reportedly taking on both the protagonist and antagonist roles in ‘Naagzilla: Naag Lok Ka Pehla Kaand’. Directed by ‘Fukrey’ filmmaker Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, the creature comedy will arrive in cinemas on February 12, 2027. Kartik plays Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand, an ichhadhari naag, or shape-shifting serpent. The complete ensemble has not been officially revealed, although Ravi Kishan has separately been reported as another antagonist in the film.

Rooted in Indian folklore, ‘Naagzilla’ will move between the mystical world of Naag Lok and contemporary human society. Reports claim that Kartik will portray two contrasting personalities, playing the story’s hero as well as its villainous counterpart. However, the makers have only officially confirmed that he headlines the film as a shape-shifting serpent; his double role remains a reported development. If confirmed, it would allow him to stage a fantasy face-off against himself while expanding the film into the first chapter of a proposed serpentine franchise.