It is perfectly normal to sometimes root for the villain more than the hero, right?
Tamil cinema has gifted us some unforgettable baddies, charismatic, cunning, and oh-so-cool. These are the villains who made us grin when they entered the screen, who had better dialogues than the protagonist, and who, despite their crimes, made our hearts go tender.
This curated list shows our 10 favorite Tamil villains:
1. Sathyaraj as Velu Naicker’s Rival – “Nayakan” (1987)
A Villain Rooted in Grit
We’re kicking it off with an absolute classic of the Kollywood industry. Although Nayakan is remembered for Kamal Haasan’s stunning performance, Sathyaraj, the corrupt and brutal Inspector Kelkar, adds a necessary bite to the narrative. His cold, ruthless attitude made us hate him on instinct. But deep down…we respected how he owned every moment.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: His intense stare is more than Iconic.
2. Raghuvaran in “Baasha” (1995)
The Ultimate Cool Antagonist
Rajinikanth was unstoppable in Baasha, but Raghuvaran’s Mark Antony was the perfect foil. It’s hard not to appreciate his menacing, and oh-so-elegant villainy. Raghuvaran gave us a baddie who didn’t need to scream to be feared.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: His calm voice and slick hairstyle were villain goals.
3. Prakash Raj in “Ghilli” (2004)
The Obsessive Lover-Villain
We know what you’re thinking: how could we love someone like Muthupandi? But Prakash Raj made him oddly compelling. His obsessive love for Dhanalakshmi was sure terrifying, but his comic timing and emotional outbursts added depth to an otherwise standard villain.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: Because no one else could deliver “Chellam” with that much creepy affection and still be memorable 20 years later.
4. Ajith Kumar in “Vaali” (1999)
Twin Trouble with a Twist
Ajith’s portrayal of the deaf and mute villain brother Deva is the stuff of legends. This was a rare case because the hero and villain were played by the same person, but it turned out to be perfect.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: Dual roles are tough, but Ajith made Deva so haunting that you couldn’t help but be drawn to his twisted genius.
5. Arvind Swami in “Thani Oruvan” (2015)
The Sophisticated Sinister
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate how Arvind Swami walked into Tamil cinema (again) and redefined villainy. Siddharth Abhimanyu was suave, brilliant, and evil to the core, yet fans were mesmerized.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: Who knew villainy could be so elegant? He looked like he walked out of a luxury magazine
6. SJ Suryah in “Spyder” (2017)
The Psychological Menace
SJ Suryah went all-out creepy in Spyder, playing a sadistic antagonist who loved chaos. He was unsettling, unpredictable, and disturbingly childlike: the perfect combo to be a haunting villain.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: His performance was so out there, it looped back to brilliant.
7. Vijay Sethupathi in “Master” (2021)
The Charmer Who’s Also a Monster
As Bhavani, Sethupathi played a villain who was both brutal and charming. His backstory had us feeling sorry for him, but then he’d casually murder someone and remind us that he’s still a villain.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: Because no one else pulls off being scary and playful at the same time like Makkal Selvan does
8. Bobby Simha in “Jigarthanda” (2014)
The Gangster with Swag
‘Assault’ Sethu was the kind of villain who didn’t even try to be likable, but… somehow ended up becoming a central aspect of the film. Some of you might agree with us and think he was a bit over the top, but absolutely captivating.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: That transformation arc, his accidental foray into acting, and sheer unpredictability made him unforgettable.
9. Pasupathy in “Virumaandi” (2004)
The Rustic Ruthless
Pasupathy brought a rawness to Kothaala Thevar that felt very real. He wasn’t the typical cinematic villain with flashy suits, he was gritty, dangerous, and terrifyingly believable.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: Because Pasupathy played the role with such intensity and professionalism that you couldn’t help but admire the acting, even if you hated the character.
10. Vikram in “I” (2015)
Beauty Turned Beast
Technically, the hero and villain of his own story, Vikram’s transformation from model to hunchbacked revenge machine, was both disturbing and deeply emotional. The villainy here was born from betrayal.
Why We Secretly Loved Him: Because Vikram poured his soul into this role. You felt for him, even as he did terrible things.
Stay Protected From Real Villains
Whatever movie you choose to stream, make sure you’re doing it safely.
Here’s how to stay secure:
- Use a VPN: This tool hides your online activity from hackers and cybercriminals. You can find great VPN options online, like Surfshark VPN.
- Use strong passwords: Don’t go with “123456” or “Muthupandi123.” Be smarter.
- Avoid sketchy streaming sites: Be aware of anything out of the norm and be suspicious. Do not click on a link if you are not 100% sure it is safe.
- Keep your device updated: Always run the latest version of all your software. This will keep your security patches up to date and efficient enough to fight threats.
Disclaimer: Always choose legal streaming options to support the creators, cast, and crew who make the magic happen. After all, even villains deserve fair royalties.
Why We Love the Baddies
So what is it about Tamil movie villains that gets us all soft? Tamil cinema has a rich history of giving us antagonists who are more than just obstacles for the hero, they’re fully built and complex characters.
Tamil cinema villains have always been more than just “the bad guy.” They’ve become cultural touchpoints quoted, memed, and occasionally (even often) idolized. Next time you find yourself rooting for the villain… don’t worry. You’re not alone.