It is always a great joy to rush into theatres to see our favourite actors/actresses put on a powerful show. Watching them through the years, we have gotten used to seeing them as our heroes and idols. These are people we looked up to and always considered the hero of the story. So, when we finally see them be a part of the dark side, it is unimaginable as it is not something we are used to seeing. This spin on the staple idea of filmmaking spices things up as now the audience gets to experience what their favourite actors/actresses are like if they are bad. Here are some moments where actors who started off playing heroic/positive roles and later turned the table around by acting in negative characters (in no particular order of importance):

1) KAMAL HAASAN - SIGAPPU ROJAKKAL:

After playing the male lead for quite some time and giving solid performances as a hero earlier, Kamal Haasan took the bold step to play a villainous role in this movie even after big actors like Sivakumar had rejected it. Kamal played the role of Dileep, a psychopath serial killer, and does a job so well that he was still admired by everyone post the film's release.

2) RAJINIKANTH - 16 VAYADHINILE:

Rajinikanth was cast as the village ruffian Parattaiyan which he carried on to play wonderfully without holding back. It still is considered to be one of the iconic performances that Superstar pulled off. 

3) VIJAY - PRIYAMUDAN:
VIJAY - PRIYAMUDAN

 Vijay made sincere efforts to give shape to the negative character of  Vasanth that stood out from the rest of his performances of that time. The film also tasted success at the box office.  

4) AJITH KUMAR - MANKATHA:
AJITH KUMAR - MANKATHA

His portrayal of the anti-hero Vinayak Mahadev kept us on the edge of our seats from the very beginning. Ajith embodies his character and with his top notch performance, it was quite evident.  
 
5) ARUN VIJAY - YENNAI ARINDHAAL:

ARUN VIJAY - YENNAI ARINDHAAL

He has acted in over 19 films after his debut but it was quite a challenge for him to get the breakthrough. But after his jaw-dropping performance as a ruthless organ thief in this Gautham Vasudev Menon thriller, things changed and his career was redefined. His performance as Victor won him several awards and laurels. 

6) ARVIND SWAMI - THANI ORUVAN:

ARVIND SWAMI - THANI ORUVAN

His one-of-a-kind performance put him on the map as someone who fits both the hero's as well as the villain's role with ease. His take on the character of Siddharth Abhimanyu sent a shiver down our spines and that is how we know he played the role to perfection.

7) FAHADH FAASIL - VELAIKKARAN:

FAHADH FAASIL - VELAIKKARAN

 He brought great depth to the character of Adhiban Madhav (Aadhi) with his casual looks, sharp eye contact, and sophisticated body language which was fresh to watch. He knew how to look villainous with something as simple as a smile. Being a Malayalam actor who is making his foray into Tamil movies, his dialogue delivery and screen presence were on point. 

8) SJ SURYAH - SPYDER/MAANAADU:

SJ SURYAH - SPYDER/MAANAADU

His performance as Sudalai (Bhairavadu in Telugu) in Spyder was well appreciated by the critics as well as the audience. But his portrayal of the corrupt cop DCP V. Dhanushkodi is what takes the cake. He was unbelievably good and was brilliant throughout the movie. The scenes in which he's trying to understand why he's stuck in a time loop while trying to get a grip over reality leaves the audience in splits.

9) ARYA - ENEMY:

ARYA - ENEMY

His performance as Rajiv Paarirajan is perfect and menacing. His character holds the audience, turning out to be one of the positive aspects of the film. 

10) PRITHVIRAJ - KANAA KANDAEN:

PRITHVIRAJ - KANAA KANDAEN

His portrayal of the relentless loan shark named Madan shows his ruthlessness when he threatens a debt-ridden couple to drop their baby from a multistoried building if they don't pay up. 

11) PRASANNA - ANJAATHEY/MAFIA:

PRASANNA - ANJAATHEY/MAFIA

Prasanna took one and all by surprise with his outstanding performance in Anjaathey which told us that he is an actor with solid potential. Apart from Anjaathey, he also acted in negative roles in films like Thiruttu Payale 2 and Mafia.