Exclusive: Ranbir Kapoor was fantastic in Animal, Arjun Rampal hails evolution of dark roles in Hindi cinema

Arjun Rampal has always been drawn to roles that go beyond the surface. Known for playing complex, intense characters, Rampal brings that same energy to his new role in Rana Naidu Season 2. As audiences discover his chilling yet human portrayal of Rauf, in an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol.com, Arjun Rampal also reflects on how Bollywood is slowly embracing darker, more layered characters—something he strongly supports.

The actor believes there is a growing shift in the industry when it comes to villains and anti-heroes. “A few people are doing it. And the ones who have explored anti-heroes or dark characters have been extremely successful,” Rampal says. He points to Animal, one of the most talked-about films in recent times, as a prime example. “Take Animal, for example—how successful was that? Ranbir was fantastic in it.”

Rampal’s words highlight an important change in Hindi cinema. For years, villains were often one-dimensional, created simply to oppose the hero. But in today’s storytelling, these characters are more human. They have emotions, backstories, and motives. They’re not just evil—they’re real, flawed people, and that makes them much more interesting to watch.

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