Indian Television industry is known for saas-bahu dramas and vamps in the form of mother-in-laws and sister-in-laws. Well, everyone forgets about the villains, the men folk who terrorize their peers and the audience by their sheer dominance and negativity.

For many years, there have been some strong villainous characters portrayed by talented actors. Popular amongst the audience for their cunningness, shrewdness and cruelty, these villains set new boundaries in terms of wickedness. Yet ironically some of them are the most favourite amongst the audiences.

Tellychakkar.com lists out some of the most memorable villains in the television industry over the last decade or so.

Gufi Paintal aka Shakuni Mama in Mahabharat

One of the milestones in Indian television industry, B R Chopra’s Mahabharat swept the audience off their feet with its powerful and talented cast. While talking about the characters, none can forget the cunning and sly Shakuni mama of the Kauravas played by the ace actor Gufi Paintal. The legendary character is known for his clever but wicked tactics which ultimately culminated in the bloodiest war of Indian history. The senior actor did a marvellous job in essaying this role, whether it was the limp while walking, or casting an evil look while plotting against the good, or the taunts he gave when the Pandavas and Draupadi got tortured in the court. Very few know that Gufi Paintal was the casting director of Mahabharat and he had a tough time choosing someone to play Shakuni’s character. After several auditions when no one was selected, B R Chopra and Ravi Chopra decided that Gufi should be the one to portray the role since he had already established himself in a similar role in 'Bahadur Shah Zafar'. Today, we are happy that the Chopras got the powerful performer in Gufi Paintal to play the role. After all, Gufi as Shakuni still remains to be one of the powerful villains of Indian Television industry.

Akhilendra Mishra aka Krur Singh in Chandrakanta

The cult character of a classic show in the mid 90’s Chandrakanta, Krur Singh was and still is a household name. Portrayed by none other than the veteran actor Akhilendra Mishra, Krur Singh is one of the best remembered villains of television industry. The ludicrous thick moustache and the eyebrows with his menacing smile and his frequent "Yakku Yakku" chants made him an unforgettable character. It can be said that the character of Krur Singh was the USP of the show. Though the show discontinued after a lot of controversies, his character had established itself and still lingers in the minds of the viewers. After this portrayal, there was no looking back for Akhilendra Mishra and he went on to do some of the memorable villainous roles. Yet if one talks about him it is Krur Singh that comes to everyone’s mind.

Anupam Shyam aka Sajjan Singh in Pratigya

Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya that aired on Star Plus was the story about a woman fighting against the evils of the society and to the extent she could go to fight for her rights. The show was a hit but more than the protagonists, the person who captured the audience attention was Thakur Sajjan Singh, the antagonist and one of the key characters, played by Anupam Shyam. With his thick beard and moustache and illiterate lingo, his conservative ways and villainous rules that bound everyone in the family, made him popular amongst the audience. Anupam Shyam was successful in portraying the role of a don, someone who had no respect for women in his house or in the society, someone who ordered his son to bury his daughter-in-law alive, or kicked or punched his wife and disregarded her after she got burnt in fire. Anupam Shyam must be given the credit for bringing out another shade in Sajjan Singh, who amidst all the cruelty and cunning and polygamy, loved his children truly more than anything. He is another one of the popular villains of Indian Television and has received quite many awards for his path-breaking role.

Sudesh Berry aka Loha Singh in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo

Another Thakur that became popular amongst the audience is none other than Thakur Loha Singh played by versatile actor Suresh Berry in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo. None could forget the arrogant, cruel and dominant man whose one of the hobbies included girl trafficking. He only did things as per his wish. Sudesh Berry did an excellent job in portraying the patriarch of the family who carried a gun all the time and whose insolence knew no bounds. The track of the story wherein he bought a girl (the protagonist) from a poor household, because one of his daughter-in-laws could not conceive and he wanted a baby boy badly, spelt venom. The way he forced the girl to sleep with his son in order to beget a son and later on snatched the child away from her hands and then attempting to kill her, made the audience hate the character and yet love him for his spectacular performance. Awards followed the man for this powerful portrayal.

Vishwajeet Pradhan aka Brahmanand Jhaker in Maryada

Maryada Lekin Kab Tak has been one of the boldest serials that ever showcased. As bold as the serial was, the characters played were even bolder, especially the character of Brahmanand Jhakar played by versatile Vishwajeet Pradhan. Brahmanand was the patriarch of the family as well as the DIG of police. He was a corrupt, cheating womanizing person who tried to molest his daughter-in-law, and slept with his wife’s sister. On one side Vishwajeet had to behave as the loving father of Aditya while on the other side he was a lustrous villain. Vishwajeet Pradhan did a fabulous job in portraying this most hateful character.

Aman Yatan Verma aka Bhanu Pratap Singh in Na Aana Iss Des Laado

Na Aana Iss Des Laado was the story of a matriarch who killed girl children in the family and ordered the village to do the same. The matriarch, Ammaji was a lady who was strong enough. And the only person who was her competitor was the evil Bhanu Pratap Singh played by talented Aman Yatan Verma. He took revenge on Ammaji’s family and her son and her daughter-in-law (protagonists). The serial was so popular amongst the audience that Aman was successful in terrorizing not only Ammaji, but also the viewers with his Haryanvi accent. His hissing and taunting role as a daku (pre leap) and the role of a shrewd businessman (post leap) were well-accepted. He received audiences’ applause for this negative albeit powerful role.

Akashdeep Saigal aka Ansh Gujral in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Akashdeep Saigal aka Skywalker became famous overnight with TV show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. In the show, Sky played the negative character of Ansh Gujral. He was the real son of Tulsi and Mihir, yet the epitome of wickedness and evilness. The former model turned actor did a fabulous job in destroying the peace of the Virani household. In the end he was killed by Tulsi as she was unable to bear his crimes anymore. He won accolades as well as good reviews for being the ‘baddie’ to the core.

Karanvir Bohra aka Viraj in Saubhagyavati Bhava

Dil Se Di Dua… Saubhagyavati Bhava was one of the popular shows on Life OK, mainly due to the popularity of the main lead/antagonist Viraj Dobriyal portrayed by gifted actor Karanvir Bohra. He played the role of an obsessive husband of Jaanvi (Sriti Jha) under the guise of love. Karan with his spectacular acting changed the very definition of a possessive husband. Yet he became the favourite amongst viewers with his act as the wild, wife-beating person who suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder. Karan was successful in portraying two personalities of Viraj, one being the suave and charming persona, a perfect husband to the outside world while at home he turned into an abusive, dominating husband while being sweet, polite and nice.

Mohit Raina aka Jalandhar in Mahadev

Jalandhar of Mahadev was the powerful king of demons. He was also egocentric and wished to conquer everything he desired. He was the clone of Mahadev as he was born from the rays of light that came out from Lord’s third eye. A character which only Mohit Raina could do justice to, Mohit gained overnight fame with his portrayal of Lord Shiva in Devon Ke Dev – Mahadev. He displayed his acting prowess with the multiple avatars of Mahadev the prominent one being the evil Jalandhar. Jalandhar was cruel and cunning, and making use of his look-alike’s face, he tried to take advantage of Devi Parvathy, Lord’s consort. Mohit Raina with his toned muscles, strong voice made the character a masterpiece and received audience applause as well as awards.

Vikas Manaktala aka Sameer/Aditya in Main Naa Bhoolungi

Vikas Manaktala aka Aditya Jagannath of Main Naa Bhoolungi is the newbie villain of the town. Aditya’s role may not be as powerful as the above said names, but he is gaining popularity amongst the audience for his negative double persona as Sameer and Aditya. Aditya under the name of Sameer married Shikha (Aishwarya Sakhuja) because his first wife could not conceive. Shikha who was unaware of Sameer’s plan married him and eventually gave birth to a son. After that Aditya tried to kill her by pushing her off the cliff. Vikas grabbed the eyeballs of the audience with his chocolate boy image as well as the cunning businessman.

Well, these are the men who terrorized the TV world with their uncanny ways. If you have any other noted names of TV villains, drop a comment here…