From Faizal Khan to Laila: A look at Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s iconic villainous roles

As the excitement builds for Thamma, the viewers are once again eager to witness Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s dark, layered and chilling on-screen presence. Over the years, Nawazuddin has redefined the portrayal of complex characters on the big screen with his raw intensity, unpredictable energy and unmatched craft. Let’s have a look at some of his most iconic villainous roles that left an incredible mark on Indian cinema.

Kick – Shiv Gajra
Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the role of Shiv Gajra, a ruthless and manipulative villain who stands toe-to-toe with Salman Khan’s larger-than-life character. Nawazuddin’s unsettling laughter and chilling pauses with intense screen presence made his performance one of the most memorable Bollywood villains of the decade.

Badlapur – Liak
The actor in this movie played the role of a criminal with no remorse, and surprisingly, with a humane undertone. The actor’s ability to make the audience both empathise and despair with his character showed his talent and mastery over grey roles.

Raman Raghav 2.0 – Ramanna
While stepping into the mind of a remorseless serial killer, the actor surprised the audience with his haunting role of Ramanna. His performance was inspired by a real-life psychopath, was freighted and deeply impactful and a true testament to his range as an actor.

Gangs of Wasseypur – Faizal Khan
While not a traditional villain, Faizal Khan’s rise to power was steeped in violence, revenge and bloodshed. Nawazuddin’s slow-burn transformation from an unassuming young man to a feared mafia kingpin remains one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated character arcs.

Black Friday – Asgar Mukadam
The role was one of Nawazuddin’s earlier performances, which gave a glimpse of his ability to play morally ambiguous characters with unsettling realism. His brief yet impactful presence added intensity to the gritty narrative.

Sacred Games – Ganesh Gaitonde
Nawazuddin plays the role of Ganesh Gaitonde, a godlike gangster with a terrifying calm and magnetic arrogance in this gritty and globally acclaimed series. The actor’s compelling dialogue delivery with psychological complexity and unpredictable temperament raised Gaitonde into one of the most iconic characters ever seen on Indian streaming platforms.

Heropanti 2 – Laila
Nawazuddin takes on the role of a don named Laila, who wages a cyberwar in this movie starring Tiger Shroff in the role. The actor’s thrilling villain role has a flair for the dramatic and a memorable, distinctive style with feminine traits.