Akshay Kumar’s stardom has always thrived on reinvention, but some of his most intriguing turns have come when he has stepped away from the dependable hero zone and embraced characters with a harder, darker edge. Akshay Kumar has often impressed audiences with his action-packed performances and comic timing, but the actor has also explored his darker side on screen. With Haiwaan bringing him back in a negative role, here’s a look at some of his memorable villainous roels across films over the years.
That is exactly why Haiwaan has pulled attention. The film brings back conversation around a side of Akshay’s screen persona that surfaces only occasionally, but tends to leave a lasting mark when it does.
The Villain Turn That Changed The Conversation
If one film still sits at the centre of that conversation, it is Ajnabee. The 2001 Abbas-Mustan thriller cast Akshay alongside Bobby Deol, Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu, and his performance as Vikram “Vicky” Bajaj remains one of the sharpest departures from his conventional leading-man image. The role won him the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role and proved that he could play charm, calculation and menace with striking ease.
What made Ajnabee endure was the way Akshay approached villainy without turning it theatrical. He used restraint, confidence and a disarming smile to make the character more unsettling.
In Aflatoon, Akshay Kumar played Rocky, a street-smart conman who gets caught up in a dangerous conspiracy involving mistaken identities. The action comedy also starred Urmila Matondkar, Anupam Kher, Shazia Malik and Farida Jalal in key roles.
In Blue, Akshay Kumar played Aarav Malhotra, a skilled treasure hunter who becomes involved in a dangerous hunt for a sunken ship carrying a fortune. The action thriller also starred Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta, Zayed Khan and Katrina Kaif.
In 2.0, Akshay Kumar played Dr Richard, a vengeful scientist who transforms into the deadly Crow Man after being driven to the brink by the misuse of mobile phones. The sci-fi action film also starred Rajinikanth and Amy Jackson in key roles.
In 8×10 Tasveer, Akshay Kumar played Jai Puri, a young man with the ability to see the last moments of a dead person by touching their photograph. The mystery thriller also starred Ayesha Takia, Sharmila Tagore, Javed Jaffrey and Anant Mahadevan in key roles. Akshay’s character gets drawn into a complex murder mystery as he tries to uncover the truth.
In Khiladi 420, Akshay Kumar played a dual role, with one of his characters portrayed as the antagonist. The film also starred Mahima Chaudhry, Gulshan Grover and Alok Nath in key roles. Akshay’s negative character added a darker twist to the action thriller.
Kumar stepped into darker territory with his role in Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara. He played Shoaib Khan, a powerful and ruthless underworld don, bringing a menacing edge to the character.
Cming up, he has joined Ajay Devgn’s Golmaal 5, in which he will again play negative character. His bald look while posing with cast has piques interest.
Haiwaan Puts The Focus Back On His Darker Screen Persona
That is why Haiwaan feels significant in Akshay’s current phase. The film places him back in a space where his screen presence works very differently, less on familiarity and more on unpredictability. Current film listings mark Haiwaan as a 2026 title, and the project has already stood out for pushing Akshay back into the negative-role conversation.
The renewed interest around the film also comes from contrast. Akshay’s recent years have largely been defined by courtroom drama, patriotic stories, ensemble comedy and franchise-driven entertainers. Haiwaan changes that mood entirely and brings back the kind of performance track that audiences still strongly associate with Ajnabee.
Akshay Kumar’s Recent And Upcoming Work
That wider career context is what makes Haiwaan stand out even more. Akshay’s slate has remained packed with broad commercial cinema, which makes this darker detour feel especially notable within his recent body of work.
His recent releases include Khel Khel Mein in 2024, followed by a crowded 2025 line-up with Sky Force, Kesari Chapter 2, Housefull 5, Kannappa and Jolly LLB 3. He delivered two hits Bhooth Bangla and Welcome To The Jungle in 2026. The mix reflects his continued hold over multiple mainstream genres, from comedy to drama to franchise filmmaking.
Looking ahead, Bhooth Bangla is listed for 2026, while Golmaal 5 remains one of the most talked-about titles on his upcoming slate. That contrast says a lot about where Akshay stands today. He continues to move comfortably between crowd-pleasing entertainers and sharper tonal shifts, and Haiwaan brings the focus firmly back to the darker screen energy that made Ajnabee such a standout chapter in his career.
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