In the growing sprawl of OTT platforms, villains stand tall beside heroes, sometimes taller. They do not beg for attention; they take it. With sharp edges and shadowed hearts, they pull us in. They are charming, cruel, and real. From Hathoda Tyagi to Munna Bhaiya, these men do not ask to be loved—but we love them anyway. Let’s speak of those who played darkness and earned light.

Top 7 All-Time Best Villains of OTT

1. Surya Sharma

Surya Sharma was cold fire in Undekhi. As Rinku, he was hard, dangerous, and loyal to a fault. He killed without flinching and protected his family like a wolf. The fear he brought was not loud—it was steady, constant. He showed this dark steel in Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein and other roles. Always the same—calm, brutal, unforgettable.

2. Arunoday Singh

From Apharan to Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, Arunoday Singh moved like a storm. Big man. Quiet power. When he entered the frame, you watched. His characters were never just bad—they were broken, bitter, human. He did not just play villains. He became them. And we remembered.

3. Divyenndu Sharma

Divyenndu Sharma was fire and madness as Munna Tripathi in Mirzapur. They called him Munna Bhaiya. He spoke sharp, moved fast, and burned with a rage you could feel. But there were cracks too—soft moments when the man showed through the monster. You watched him and didn’t look away. He became more than a villain. He became legend.

4. Harsh Chhaya 

The storm in Undekhi was thanks to Harsh Chhaya. Every time Papaji—Daman Atwal—appeared on screen, he took over the scene. If Rinku was the weapon, Papaji was the one who wielded it. No matter how he acted, he always had power. You were afraid of him. You trusted what he told you. And you thought of him. 

5. Abhishek Banerjee 

Abhishek Banerjee did not have many lines as Hathoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok. He didn’t have to. His silence was loud. His hammer replied. It was a gentle kind of fear and it never left you. He has acted in many different parts, some positive, some negative. However, this one is one you will always remember.

6. Pankaj Tripathi 

Pankaj Tripathi was both quiet and powerful as Guruji in Sacred Games. He sounded as if he had witnessed the end and lived to tell about it. He was calm, cold and certain. He acted as a holy man with the heart of a snake. He never failed to impress in Mirzapur or Sacred Games. Every part I played hit me hard. Every word had meaning.

7. Vishesh Bansal

Asur tells a difficult and dark story. A film that is a psychological thriller. Murders are happening one after another, leaving a deeper mark. The system of justice is overwhelmed. Shubh is the one behind everything. Cold mind. Just as sharp as broken glass. He is always prepared for what’s next. The scene of the police in pursuit. The CBI is the next to be conducted. But Shubh keeps going. He is able to think more quickly. He kills in a more intelligent way.

Conclusion

Thanks to these seven, the definition of a bad guy in games has changed for the digital era. They’ve encouraged us to support the bad guys, doubt our own values and admit that the villains tend to speak the most interesting lines. They are not drawn as mustache-twirling villains—they are real, have their own issues and can be surprisingly easy to relate to. They have taken over the screen, captured our hearts and likely given us a few scary dreams. As more OTT platforms appear, it’s clear that people will always appreciate a well-made villain. Still, heroes can save the day, but villains? They add value to the show.

FAQs

Q1: What makes Hathoda Tyagi so terrifying despite having minimal dialogue?

Sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones that don’t make much noise. The way he acts without speaking is more disturbing than any psychopath who shouts. It’s the quiet time before the trouble comes that makes you feel nervous about what’s next.

Q2: How do these actors prepare for such dark, intense roles?

We may never know how these actors prepare, but it’s obvious that they feel great villains are formed by their experiences, not by being evil from the start. The most effective antagonists are motivated in ways that make sense, even if their behavior is not always right.

Q3: Why do audiences love villains more than heroes sometimes?

It’s no secret that villains often have the best lines, the most exciting storylines and don’t have to worry about doing the right thing like heroes do. They can be surprising, difficult to understand and very upfront about their shortcomings.

Q4: Which OTT platform produces the best villains?

Good villains are created by strong writing, talented performers and a creative environment, not by the platform. When creators have freedom to explore new ideas, Netflix’s thrillers, Amazon Prime’s crime shows or regional programs about local stories, great villains often appear. The greatest villains are recognized and celebrated outside the world of movies.