Bollywood's latest mantra - films being named after villains

What’s common to films —Ghajini, Raavan, and the upcoming Ra.One? These are films that have been named after the villains. 

In a film industry dominated by star-system, it’s usual to have films centred around the characters played by the lead heroes. For instance, films like Karan Arjun, Baazigar and Mr. India in the past.

However, the recent trend has filmmakers experimenting with film titles who are now opting to flash the villains’ names on the billboards. Why this love for the bad guys?

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, whose upcoming superhero flick is named after the villain Ra.One (played by actor Arjun Rampal), insists it was important to have the film named after the antagonist.

“I know that Ra.One has a lot of similarity with demon-king Raavan,  whereas G.One sounds like jeevan meaning life. It’s also Ra, version one. I wear a blue costume because G.One is made out of solid electricity and don't ask me how because I did a lot of research about how electricity can be solidified (to figure out where the supehero draws his powers from). Arjun will be wearing a red suit because he is made out of fire. In the film it is all about the antagonist and I thought Ra.One sounds really nice. So we named it Ra.One.”

Trade experts say that the trend of naming the film after the antagonists would not have worked a few years ago. Says trade analyst Taran Adarsh, “It’s a welcome change to see the villains getting as much importance, as they are the ones who bring out the best in the heroes. But this wouldn’t have been possible in the ’80s, ’90s or even five years back. It is a clear sign that cinema and the audiences are evolving for good.”

Film analyst Komal Nahta feels that it is justified having antagonist’s name as film title  if the central plot revolves around them. He says, “It gives the audience a kick to find out what made the villain so important. It works in the favour of the films.”