From great films to iconic songs, the golden era of Bollywood has a great many things that are just unforgettable. While the era established some stereotypes, it also gave us wonderful performers to admire. Aside from heroes and heroines, it was also a period of villains and vamps, with a handful of actors who totally nailed those roles.
However, a Twitter user, Manish, made an unusual discovery that made us wonder how we had missed this fascinating aspect all these years. So, according to a thread based on these legendary villains, some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic songs were actually filmed on them.
The user began with the song Hungama Ho Gaya from the film Anhonee, which features Bindu. This track can still make you sway, and a remixed version even made its way to Queen. The actress, who had an almost five-decade acting career in Bollywood, was known for playing the antagonist in most of her movies.
#VillainessandSongs and again these are not just songs but lovely melodies. This is another long thread and I know you’ll love it. I have deliberately ignored cabarets but can’t ignore this one and this thread must start with one and only BINDU.
— Manish (@rmanish1) May 10, 2022
Here I go Vamps & Villainesses pic.twitter.com/8OXNVgJaBd
She did, however, break the vamp stereotype with her outstanding performance as Chitra in Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya starrer Abhimaan.
Must end with my favourite BINDU and I know you’ll forgive me for this cheating. pic.twitter.com/lDe42H9ePN
— Manish (@rmanish1) May 10, 2022
Aruna Irani was yet another actress who frequently played a vamp on-screen. She features as Nima, a woman mistaken for the hero’s love interest in Rishi Kapoor starrer film Bobby.
Aruna Irani pic.twitter.com/bP8ubis5zr
— Manish (@rmanish1) May 10, 2022
Faryal’s debut film Zindagi Aur Maut includes the song Dil Lagakar Hum Ye Samjhe. The track was among some of the era’s most famous melodies, and the actress went on to deliver another notable performance as a cabaret dancer in Jewel Thief.
Faryal pic.twitter.com/O2cTi0z15L
— Manish (@rmanish1) May 10, 2022
Helen, who often played brief but memorable roles, appeared in a number of notable songs. Besides Is Duniya Mein Jeena Ho To from Gumnaam, she also featured in tracks like Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Diwana, Aa Jaane Jaan, and Piya Tu Ab To Aaja.
Helen pic.twitter.com/I0ApCn3Blw
— Manish (@rmanish1) May 10, 2022
Although the song Sajna Hai Mujhe Sajna Ke Liye was featured in the 1973 film Saudagar, it is unlikely that anyone has not heard it. Padma Khanna has a history of playing a dancer in films like Loafer and Jaan-E-Bahaar, in addition to her other powerful antagonist roles.
Padma Khanna pic.twitter.com/sftGghRiX0
— Manish (@rmanish1) May 10, 2022
And it would be a disgrace to not mention Lalita Pawar when discussing iconic Bollywood villains. Before Game of Thrones‘ Joffrey, there was Pawar, who was possibly the most despised vamp owing to her outstanding performances.
Lalita Pawar pic.twitter.com/8y3EKqLqDG
— Manish (@rmanish1) May 10, 2022
Meanwhile, Amjad Khan has cemented his spot among Bollywood’s baddies. In fact, his performance as Gabbar Singh in Sholay made the villain more iconic than the film’s heroes.
#VillainsandSongs and these are not just songs but lovely melodies. This is long thread and I think you’ll love it.
— Manish (@rmanish1) April 19, 2022
First villain of this thread has to be Gabbar Singh.
Amjad Khan pic.twitter.com/y9b9ft4UxL
Prem Chopra is another actor in the same league, whose name is synonymous with a villain for Indian audiences. However, he played Sukhdev Thapar, a freedom fighter, in the film Shaheed, which has the song Rang De Basanti Chola.
Prem Chopra pic.twitter.com/f3GLGnbFMg
— Manish (@rmanish1) April 19, 2022
Amrish Puri, one of the most famed actors, was featured in the track Hum Na Samjhe from Gardish. The prominent actor is widely known for playing a stern parent or the evil villain on-screen.
Amrish Puri pic.twitter.com/rFaHCfxEN6
— Manish (@rmanish1) April 19, 2022
Lastly, Pran, the OG of Bollywood baddies, appeared in the iconic track Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa.
Finally the greatest of them all
— Manish (@rmanish1) April 19, 2022
Pran Saab pic.twitter.com/JX4BbirxjF
Unsurprisingly, the observation wowed fellow Twitter users, who praised the thread for bringing back memories of great villains, and even greater melodies.
Lovely numbers and shows a different side of the heroines who usually played the vamp https://t.co/Jqlbeyh5mR
— Arjun Narayanan (@madraswallah) May 11, 2022
What a lovely thread!
— Raja راجہ – awaaz do, hum ek hain (@Raja_Sw) May 10, 2022
Bindu deserves a thread of her own.
One of my fav Bindu songs.
Sab kuchh milaa, tu na milaa 🙂
Composed by Bhupen Hazarika. https://t.co/wP2b2ee1ko https://t.co/fVY1lkdXXt
The #Bollywoodvillainesses typically had experienced more of life, meanwhile the #kanyakumari #heroines had little of that world wisdom.
— TooFarigh (@TooFarigh) May 10, 2022
Kinda like the #personanongrata aunties desi parents didn’t want around their girls. But these women visited anyways. Thank goodness they did. https://t.co/aIQ4UMk0nU
Fab selection, rare songs and each one is a gem!!!
— George J (@GeorgeJ12509819) May 10, 2022
Bahot sahi thread. Jeevan saab reh gaye and Kader Khan-Shakti Kapoor too..
— Alok Sharma (@toonfactory) April 20, 2022
Very interesting, thanks for your efforts and sharing!
— The Millennial (@dr_honky) April 19, 2022
These are all actors who played Villain sometimes or even most of the times, but none of the songs are sung when they are in a Villainous role. The only one I can think of is Nasiruddin Shah – who is the Villain and a singer in Sarfarosh! https://t.co/belrBgzAAP
— Sandip Tarkas (@SandipTarkas) April 20, 2022
And it is only because of these incredibly fascinating threads that we haven’t given up Twitter yet.