Nassar and his nuanced performances as antagonist – F’day Spl. Article by Naveen
Actor Nassar is widely recognised for his versatile performances in both Tamil and other South Indian cinema.
Over the years, he has garnered a reputation for his ability to seamlessly switch between a wide range of roles, from villains to comedic characters, and even nuanced, dramatic roles.
The actor celebrated his birthday recently. From playing a flawed idealist to downright evil, let us take a look at the different shades in his negative roles and how he managed to set one apart from the others.
Thirumalai from ‘Em Magan’:
It would be unfair to call this a “villain” role but the main antagonising force against the film’s hero Krishnan (Bharath) getting together with his childhood sweetheart, is Thirumalai, Krishnan’s father. Strict and stone-like, we’ve all seen parents like him. This is why we melt in that emotional scene where he finally gives us his side of the story after seeing his son and daughter-in-law living happily.
Assistant Commissioner from ‘Nayakan’
It speaks a lot about the quality of a film’s writing when someone as righteous and straightforward as Nassar’s Assistant Commissioner in ‘Nayakan’ feels like the film’s villain, even though he may ideologically be the film’s hero. Also, one of the actor’s first in a line of great police roles.
Badri from ‘Kuruthipunal’
One man’s terrorism is another man’s freedom fight. A complex role in a complex film, Badri, the terrorist chief, is no cardboard character. A self-described ‘poraali’, it is the actor’s brilliance that we’re able to invest in his side of the story as well. The interrogation scene, long before ‘Vikram Vedha’, is an acting master class.
Sangilimaayan from ‘Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi’
One of the most hilarious villains of Tamil cinema. The kingdom’s master advisor is responsible for most of the injustice that occurs there. With long white hair and OTT dialogues, he plays the role in the period film with a surprising amount of conviction.
Kandasamy Padayatchi from ‘Anbe Sivam’
It’s a tightrope walk for a villain to be both extremely religious and also extremely evil. It’s impossible to imagine anyone else playing this anti-communist industrialist. The way he owns the line ‘Thennadudaya Sivane Potri’ in his inimitable style makes it one his best roles yet.
Mayan Thevar in ‘Thevar Magan’
One of his darkest villain roles. He takes on two of Tamil cinema’s greatest actors and still manages to create a space for himself. It could have easily been a one-dimensional villain in the hands of a lesser actor. From causing floods to bombing the temple festival, there’s no limit to Mayan’s madness, making it one Tamil cinema’s scariest villains.