Tollywood is undergoing a bold transformation. What was once considered a rarity—mainstream heroes turning villains—is fast becoming one of 2025’s biggest trends. From legendary actors to young stars, everyone seems ready to embrace their darker side.
In Coolie, Akkineni Nagarjuna breaks away from his suave hero image to play Simon, a ruthless villain opposite Rajinikanth. A leaked action sequence from the film has already gone viral, hinting at a gripping face-off.
Next in line is Jr NTR, stepping into the role of Veerendranath, the main antagonist in War 2, where he clashes with Hrithik Roshan in this high-octane YRF action sequel.
Allu Arjun, known for his charisma and screen presence, is set to surprise fans with a triple role in Atlee’s upcoming film, and one of them is a full-blown villain.
Meanwhile, Manchu Manoj makes a fierce comeback in Mirai as the menacing Black Sword, and Suhas, who previously dabbled in grey shades in Hit 2, goes completely dark in the thriller Mandadi.
This shift shows Tollywood heroes are no longer confined to the “good guy” template. Taking creative risks, these actors are tapping into complex characters, and audiences seem ready for the twist.
