As the anticipation builds for Thamma, cinephiles are once again eager to witness Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s dark, layered and spine-chilling screen presence. Over the years, Nawaz has redefined the portrayal of antagonists on the big screen with his raw intensity, unpredictable energy and unmatched craft. Here’s a look back at some of his most iconic villainous roles that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
Kick – Shiv Gajra (Directed by Sajid Nadiadwala)
Nawazuddin brought a terrifying calm to Shiv Gajra, a ruthless and manipulative villain who stands toe-to-toe with Salman Khan’s larger-than-life hero. His unsettling laugh, chilling pauses and intense screen presence made this performance one of the most memorable Bollywood villains of the decade.
Badlapur – Liak (Directed by Sriram Raghavan)
In Badlapur, Nawaz delivered a layered performance as Liak, a criminal with no remorse yet surprisingly humane undertones. His ability to make the audience both despise and empathize with the character showcased his mastery over grey roles.
Raman Raghav 2.0 – Ramanna (Directed by Anurag Kashyap)
Stepping into the mind of a remorseless serial killer, Nawazuddin stunned audiences with his haunting portrayal of Ramanna. His performance, inspired by a real-life psychopath, was unnerving and deeply impactful a true testament to his range as an actor.
Gangs of Wasseypur – Faizal Khan (Directed by Anurag Kashyap)
While not a traditional villain, Faizal Khan’s rise to power was steeped in violence, revenge and bloodshed. Nawaz’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 (Directed by Anurag Kashyap)
One of Nawazuddin’s earlier performances, this role gave a glimpse of his ability to embody morally ambiguous characters with unsettling realism. His brief yet impactful presence added intensity to the gritty narrative.
Sacred Games – Ganesh Gaitonde (Directed by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane)
In this gritty and globally acclaimed series, Nawazuddin embodied the menacing Ganesh Gaitonde, a godlike gangster with a terrifying calm and magnetic arrogance. His commanding dialogue delivery, psychological complexity and unpredictable temperament elevated Gaitonde into one of the most iconic antagonists ever seen on Indian streaming platforms.
As Nawaz gears up to return in a chilling new avatar with Thama, his past performances stand as a reminder of how one actor can redefine the idea of a villain. With each role, Nawazuddin Siddiqui hasn’t just played a negative character he’s made them unforgettable.