Arjun Rampal: Bollywood's Underrated Villain?

Arjun Rampal's performance as Major Iqbal in the 'Dhurandhar' franchise is noted for its impactful, sinister calm, despite limited screen time. Writer-director Aditya Dhar effectively used Iqbal to set the film's mood, particularly in the trailer's brutal opening scene, which foreshadowed the character's menace.

Despite Rampal's gravitas and commanding presence, which suit villainous roles, the article questions why he hasn't secured a truly iconic villain part. This is contrasted with Bollywood's traditional preference for exaggerated villainy, where Rampal's subtle approach might not find as many takers.

Past roles like Mike Mehra in 'Om Shanti Om' and Prithviraj Pratap in 'Raajneeti' are acknowledged, but deemed insufficient to place him among Bollywood's legendary villains. Weak writing in films like 'Ek Ajnabee' and 'Dhaakad' also hampered potentially strong performances.

Rampal's career has seen him navigate both protagonist and antagonist roles, often opting for realism. However, this has kept him from achieving traditional superstardom in an image-conscious industry, leaving fans anticipating a more significant villainous arc, possibly in 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge'.