Abhiruchi Cookery Show – 25th May

The trend of actors from various Indian film industries playing antagonists in Tollywood is witnessing a strong resurgence. While Suniel Shetty recently remarked that Telugu cinema predominantly casts Bollywood actors as villains, the reality is far more diverse. Telugu filmmakers have long embraced talent from across the country, and today, five leading Malayalam actors are emerging as powerful on-screen villains in big-budget Telugu films.

Prithviraj Sukumaran is set to clash with Mahesh Babu in Varanasi, portraying a menacing antagonist named Kumbha. At first glance, the character may appear physically impaired, but he is written as a fierce, ruthless villain—one of Prithviraj’s most intense roles in Telugu so far.

Tovino Thomas, another Malayalam star with a massive following, is strongly rumored to play the main villain in Jr NTR and Prashanth Neel’s Pan-World project. Although the team has not officially confirmed the casting, Tovino’s silence has only intensified the excitement among fans.

Fahadh Faasil has already made a solid mark with his chilling portrayal of Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat in Pushpa. His performance proved that he can effortlessly switch between layered protagonists in Malayalam cinema and complex antagonists in Telugu.

Shine Tom Chacko stands next, having built an impressive presence in Tollywood through multiple villain roles. His performances in films like Dasara, Rangabali, Devara, Daaku Maharaj, and the upcoming Robinhood have earned him a strong fan base.

With their versatility, Malayalam stars are demonstrating that they can headline heroic roles in their home industry while simultaneously delivering powerful negative characters in Telugu cinema. This renewed wave highlights Tollywood’s openness to pan-Indian talent and the growing demand for compelling, multi-layered villains on screen.