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.”

Amitabh Bachchan remembers the Humane Side of Amjad Khan

Amjad Khan, the name spells terror as he immortalized the deadly dacoit Gabbar Singh in SHOLAY. Later Amjad Khan played many deadly villainous roles like the brutal kidnapper Raj Singh in INKAAR, the Mumbai goon Dilawar Khan in MUQADDAR KA SIKANDAR, the smuggler Suleiman Seth in RAM BALRAM etc. However if on one side Amjad Khan could send terror down the spine he had the amazing talent to generate laughter as seen in movies like LOVE STORY, QURBANI, MAA KASAM, CHAMELI KI SHAAD etc. 

12 November marks the birthday of the legendary actor Amjad Khan, Raaga.Com remembers him and shares his humane side as narrated by Amiatbh Bachchan. 

While Amjad Khan was famous as villain on screen, in real film the actor was kind and large hearted. In an interview Amiatbh Bachchan who shared a very good friendship with him once said, “Amjad Khan lived life king size and loved to make friends but it was unfortunate that when his friends use to betray him, he would not take at heart instead pardon them.” 

He added, “As an actor and being influential he would help people in all possible ways be it financially or otherwise. He was one person who never knew to say ‘no’ to anyone.” 

Amitabh Bachchan continues, “That is the reason he did many films free of cost so that film producers could mint money on his name. Films like HUMSE NA JEETA KOI, BINDIYA CHAMKEGI, PAANCH FAULADI etc. In this self-centered and money oriented world, I was surprised to find that man like Amjad Khan excited!”