Raza Murad on Raj Kapoor and 'Prem Rog': How a legend shaped his villain career
Synopsis
Raza Murad's social media post about 'Prem Rog' is more than nostalgia — it's a rare account of how Raj Kapoor's casting instinct launched one of Hindi cinema's most enduring villain careers. Three consecutive RK Films productions, three principal antagonist roles, spanning 1982 to 1991: a collaboration that shaped Murad's identity on screen for decades to come.
Key Takeaways
Raza Murad credited Raj Kapoor with launching his villain career by casting him in 'Prem Rog' (1982) .
He played Thakur Virendra Pratap Singh of Sumergan — his first role as a screen villain.
Murad went on to play the principal antagonist in three consecutive RK Films productions: 'Prem Rog' (1982) , 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' (1985) , and 'Henna' (1991) .
In 'Henna' , he portrayed Shahbaaz Khan , a scheming Pakistani police officer.
Murad recently criticised Bollywood stars for skipping the funeral of veteran actor Mushtaq Khan , who died on 24 September .
His most recent appearance was in the television series 'Megha Barsenge' .
Veteran actor Raza Murad has reflected on how legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor transformed the arc of his career by casting him as the primary antagonist in the 1982 film 'Prem Rog' — a role that, by Murad's own account, set the template for decades of memorable screen villainy.
The Role That Changed Everything
Sharing memories of his journey in Hindi cinema on social media, Murad credited Raj Kapoor with identifying his potential as a villain at a pivotal moment. In his own words: 'My first movie as a villain. Raj Kapoor rediscovered me as a baddie, Thakur Virendra Pratap Singh of Sumergan, in his magnum opus 'Prem Rog' in 1982, then again in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' (1985), and the rest is history. Never looked back after that.'
The character — Thakur Virendra Pratap Singh of Sumergan — remains among the most recalled antagonists from that era of Hindi cinema, and the casting choice proved to be a turning point that reshaped Murad's professional identity.
Three Consecutive Films Under the RK Banner
Following 'Prem Rog' and 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' (1985), Murad went on to headline the villain's role in a third successive RK Films production — 'Henna' (1991) — in which he portrayed Shahbaaz Khan, a scheming Pakistani police officer. The run of three consecutive principal antagonist roles under one of Hindi cinema's most prestigious banners is, by Murad's reckoning, a distinction he considers rare and fortunate. He wrote: 'I consider myself very lucky to have played the main villain in three consecutive films under the prestigious RK banner.'
Notably, RK Films — founded by Raj Kapoor and widely regarded as a cornerstone of the Hindi film industry's golden era — has been associated with some of the most enduring titles in Indian cinema. Murad's sustained collaboration with the banner over nearly a decade underlines the trust Kapoor placed in him as a screen presence.
A Career Defined by Iconic Antagonists
Over the decades, Murad built one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable rosters of villain portrayals. His filmography spans across 'Tridev', 'Aankhen', 'Mohra', 'Gupt: The Hidden Truth', 'Jodhaa Akbar', 'Bajirao Mastani', 'Padmaavat', and 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' — a range that cuts across commercial blockbusters and critically acclaimed period dramas alike. His most recent screen appearance was in the Hindi television series 'Megha Barsenge'.
A Voice on Industry Values
This is not the first time Murad has drawn public attention beyond his on-screen work. Recently, he made headlines after sharply criticising prominent Bollywood figures for their absence at the funeral of veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, who passed away on 24 September. In a strongly worded video message, Murad questioned why well-known faces from the film industry had not turned up to pay their last respects to an actor who had dedicated nearly five decades to Hindi cinema. The remarks sparked considerable discussion about solidarity and industry culture in Bollywood.
As Murad revisits his formative collaboration with Raj Kapoor, his reflections offer a rare first-person window into how RK Films shaped careers behind the scenes — a legacy that continues to resonate in an industry that often overlooks its supporting pillars.
Point of View
It reads as part of a broader effort to hold the industry accountable to its own legacy. For a senior actor who has worked alongside everyone from Raj Kapoor to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, his voice on institutional memory and professional respect carries weight that mainstream coverage tends to underplay.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Raj Kapoor shape Raza Murad's career as a villain?
Raj Kapoor cast Raza Murad as the antagonist Thakur Virendra Pratap Singh of Sumergan in the 1982 film 'Prem Rog', which Murad has described as his first villain role. Kapoor subsequently cast him in two more RK Films productions, effectively establishing Murad's screen identity as one of Hindi cinema's go-to antagonists.
Which three RK Films did Raza Murad play the villain in?
Raza Murad played the principal antagonist in 'Prem Rog' (1982), 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' (1985), and 'Henna' (1991) — three consecutive productions under the RK Films banner. In 'Henna', he portrayed Shahbaaz Khan, a scheming Pakistani police officer.
What did Raza Murad say about Mushtaq Khan's funeral?
Murad issued a strongly worded video message criticising prominent Bollywood figures for not attending the funeral of veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, who died on 24 September. He questioned why well-known industry faces failed to pay their last respects to an actor who had given nearly five decades to Hindi cinema.
What is Raza Murad's most recent work?
Raza Murad was most recently seen in the Hindi television series 'Megha Barsenge'. His film career spans decades and includes notable roles in 'Bajirao Mastani', 'Padmaavat', and 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'.
Why is Raza Murad significant in the context of Hindi cinema's villain tradition?
Murad is one of a small group of actors who sustained a long career primarily through antagonist roles across both commercial blockbusters and critically acclaimed films. His association with RK Films across three decades of its output, and his more recent appearances in Sanjay Leela Bhansali productions, illustrate a rare continuity in Hindi cinema's villain tradition.
