Saif Ali Khan is an actor who has proven his worth time and again. Once considered out of place in Bollywood, he delivered amazing performances in movies like “Omkara” and “Dil Chahta Hai”. However, he never fully emerged as a bankable star.
Now, having passed his prime, despite noteworthy performances in films like “Laal Kaptaan” and “Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior”, and the series “Sacred Games” reviving his career, one thing has notably changed. Saif, in his second innings, seems to be focusing exclusively on negative roles. Since “Tanhaji”, he has portrayed villains in several films, including “Adipurush” and the recently released “Devara”.
This trend is not unique to Saif; many actors who have passed their prime seem quite comfortable taking on negative roles. Bobby Deol is another example. Like Saif, his career followed a similar trajectory, and he has since embraced negative roles in films like “Love Hostel”, “Animal”, and the upcoming “Kanguva”.
Could it be that these actors no longer wish to bear the pressure of leading a film as the main hero, perhaps doubting their ability to draw audiences as they once did? Or is it simply more enjoyable to play characters with a darker shade, free from the constraints of the ideal heroic figure? Whatever the reason, it doesn’t seem to be an issue as long as the actor is enjoying the process and the audience is entertained.
What are your thoughts?