South Villain Anand Raj attributes Sivaji Ganesanji as his inspiration for negative roles.

Down South Indian film industry there is a trend where Bollywood villains rule the roost. However it seems now Bollywood is bitten by the bug of South Indian Villains. After Prakash Raj, the highest paid baddie in South Indian cinema who created furor with hits like WANTED; DABANGG 2; SINGHAM; HEROPANTI, another south villain, Anand Raj is making debut in Bollywood with Ajay Devgn’s upcoming action thriller ACTION JACKSON, directed by Prabhu Dheva


Anand Raj, who has to his credit over a hundred films in different languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam is proud to be 'exported' to Bollywoood. In a lighter sense he said, “Of late, there is a craze for Bollywood villains in south films. Several films starring top actors have baddies imported from the Hindi film industry. But I am proud to be 'exported' to Bollywood.” 

Anand Raj, who began his career in south Indian films as villain adores Sivaji Ganesan as his idol and attributes his inspiration to continue doing negative roles. Recalling his meeting with the legendary actor Anand Raj said, “I had the pleasure of meeting Sivaji Ganesanji and it was during conversation Ganesanji appreciated by villainous roles. Praising my villainy he said your roles have many layers and shades which a hero’s role lack. His words acted as motivational tonic and since then I continue doing villain roles with pride.” 

He adds, “What most solacing is that even my wife too is ardent fan of my roles. She is very happy that I am a villain. She jokes to her friends that she's glad that I am not a hero as she'll have trouble handling fans.”

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