When Leading Ladies Turned to the Dark Side: Actresses Who Redefined Villainy Onscreen

Sonakshi Sinha takes on her first full-fledged negative role in Jatadhara, transforming into a dark, mysterious antagonist after acclaimed grey-shaded performances in Ittefaq and Heeramandi.

By Shilpa Nalamwar 07 Oct 2025 in Entertainment

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Actresses Who Redefined Villainy Onscreen

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Sonakshi Sinha, who has carved a niche for herself with her powerful performances, is all set to portray a completely negative character for the first time on the big screen in her ambitious film Jatadhara. Although she previously explored grey shades in Ittefaq (2017) and received much acclaim for her layered, negative portrayal in Heeramandi last year, Jatadhara marks her first full-fledged transformation into a dark, mysterious antagonist. (Jtadhara 2025 movie Sonakshi Sinha negative role)

Sonakshi’s Dark Avatar Shines in Dhana Pisaachi

Produced by Zee Studios and Prerna Arora, and co-starring Sudheer Babu, the bilingual Hindi–Telugu film is slated for release on November 7, 2025. The first song, Dhana Pisaachi, has already become popular, thanks largely to Sonakshi’s striking villainous avatar. Her dark transformation is being hailed as a major turning point in her career — much like several leading ladies before her who left a lasting impression with their unforgettable negative roles.

Vidya Balan

The powerhouse performer Vidya Balan delivered one of her most chilling performances as Avni/Manjulika in Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007). She reprised her eerie avatar in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 last year, once again mesmerizing audiences with her intense screen presence. Vidya’s gripping portrayal reaffirmed why she continues to be regarded as one of India’s finest actresses. (Sonakshi Sinha first full-fledged villain role in Jtadhara)

Tabu

In Andhadhun, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu delivered a masterclass in morally complex acting. As Simi, she portrayed a woman caught between guilt, survival, and deceit. Her calm yet unpredictable demeanor made audiences both hate and admire her — reaffirming her place as one of Bollywood’s most fearless and versatile performers. (Jtadhara Hindi Telugu release 7 November 2025)

Konkona Sen Sharma

Known for her versatility, Konkona Sen Sharma surprised audiences in Ek Thi Daayan opposite Emraan Hashmi. As the mysterious witch, she brought an alluring mix of fear and grace to her role. Her portrayal perfectly balanced terror and sophistication, making her one of the most memorable supernatural antagonists in recent cinema.

Taapsee Pannu

In Badla, opposite Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu stunned everyone with her layered and deceptive character, Naina Sethi. With poise and intelligence, she embodied a woman shrouded in lies, proving that she could hold her own even against a legend like Bachchan in a psychological thriller. (Sudheer Babu Sonakshi Sinha Zee Studios Prerna Arora film)

Mouni Roy

In Brahmāstra, Mouni Roy’s portrayal of Junoon – the Queen of Darkness – stood out for its commanding screen presence, fierce body language, and striking appearance. Her performance made her one of the most memorable female antagonists in recent Bollywood history.

Jatadhara also stars Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha alongside Divya Khosla, Shilpa Shirodkar, Indira Krishna, Ravi Prakash, Naveen Neni, Rohit Pathak, Jhansi, Rajeev Kanakala, and Subhalekha Sudhakar in pivotal roles. (Bollywood actresses in villain roles impact)

Presented by Zee Studios and Prerna Arora, the film is produced by Umesh Kumar Bansal, Shivin Narang, Aruna Agarwal, Prerna Arora, Shilpa Singhal, and Nikhil Nanda, with Akshay Kejriwal and Kusum Arora as co-producers. Divya Vijay serves as the creative producer, while Bhavna Goswami is the supervising producer. The film’s powerful music is presented by Zee Music Company.

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FAQs

Q1. When will the film 'Jatadhara' release and in which languages?

Ans: The film will release in theatres on 7 November 2025 in Hindi and Telugu.

Q2. Who are the lead actors and actresses in the film?

Ans: The film stars Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha in lead roles.

Q3. What kind of character is Sonakshi Sinha playing in this film?

Ans: Sonakshi Sinha is playing a dark, mysterious, and negative (villain) character for the first time on the big screen.

Q4. What negative roles has Sonakshi Sinha played before?

Ans: She played a negative role in the 2017 film 'Ittefaq' with grey shades and as a mother-daughter in the web series 'Heeramandi' last year.

Q5. What is the first song of the film, and how was its response?

Ans: The first song of the film 'Dhana Pishachi' has become quite popular, and the main reason for this is believed to be Sonakshi Sinha's negative character.

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