March 1, 2024
Raghava Lawrence, renowned for his roles in Telugu hits like ‘Style’ and dubbed successes such as ‘Kanchana’ and ‘Ganga’, is about to make his debut as an antagonist in Rajinikanth’s upcoming film, directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth. This bold move marks Lawrence’s debut in portraying a negative character, driven by his eagerness to showcases to showcase his versatility and explore the darker aspects of his acting prowess alongside his idol, Rajinikanth.
The shift to antagonistic roles has propelled the career of several actors, including Jagapathi Babu, Arjun Sarja, and Vijay Sethupathi, who seamlessly transitioned from hero-centric roles to delivering compelling performances as villains. Inspired by their success stories, Lawrence sees this opportunity as a means to diversify his repertoire beyond conventional hero-centric narratives.
The allure of portraying a villain in a Rajinikanth film is undeniable, offering actors unparalleled exposure and the chance to delve into multifaceted characters, unlike the often stereotypical hero roles. Sunil, another Telugu actor who embraced negative roles, stands as a testament to this phenomenon, having shared the screen with Rajnikanth in ‘Jailer’ and with Vishal in ‘Mark Antony.’
Vijay Sethupathi’s career trajectory further exemplifies the potential of villainous roles, as seen in his portrayal of a drug lord in ‘Vikram’ opposite Kamal Haasan following his role in ‘Petta.’ Despite his villainous portrayals, Sethupathi adeptly maintains a balance between such roles and hero-centric narratives, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
