Bollywood wouldn't be Bollywood without the baddies that the industry has cultivated over the span of many years. Bollywood bad boys play a vital role in bringing the movies alive on screen, by adding a secondary texture to the plot of the movie. 

They are bold, can be scary and some of them have even turned into cult figures in the genre of on-screen villainy. Amrish Puri as Mogambo in 'Mr. India', Amjad Khan as Gabbar in 'Sholay' or Ashutosh Rana as Gokul in 'Dushman' are just a few classic characters we can instantly rattle off at the very mention of iconic Bollywood villains! 

© Narsimha Enterprises

However, time and again we have seen that just like how on-screen heroes can turn into villains (the likes of Shiney Ahuja), so it is possible for on-screen villains to be heroes in real life too! 

They may play the roles of bad boys in front of the camera, but off it, these on-screen villains stand up for important causes, lend their support to people in need and speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. 

Here we have listed down the names of 5 such Bollywood villains who are heroes in real life:  

1. Prakash Raj 

© Reliance Entertainment

Prakash Raj is a celebrated actor down South, but he has created a name for himself in the Hindi film industry as well. The man as the suave baddie Jaikanth Shikre in 'Singham' and the passionate criminal and aspiring politician in 'Dabangg 2' became an instant hit with the audience with his real performance on-screen. 

But this Bollywood bad boy is a really good human when you choose to look beyond the characters they play on-screen. Prakash Raj has adopted a village called Kondareddypalli in Telangana and has been looking after the developmental needs of the village through The Prakash Raj Foundation. 

Last year, The Indian Express reported that Raj gifted a poor family with a brand new house on the occasion of Eid. 

Celebrated Ramzan at #kondareddypalli by handing over home built for this family by #prakashrajfoundation .. the joy of giving back to life. pic.twitter.com/GWdqfLDJrg

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) June 26, 2017 2. Manoj Bajpai 

© Phantom Films

Known as one of Bollywood's best method artist, Bajpai really is one of the best character artists the Hindi film industry has been blessed with. Whether it's Sardar Khan from 'Gangs of Wasseypur' or DGP Shergill in 'Baaghi 2' more recently, the actor has numerous well-delivered bad boy characters under his name. 

But recently, he was also one of the first actors from Bollywood who came out in support of the Supreme Court's repealment of Section 377. 

The 'Aligarh' actor celebrated the fall of the draconian law, and News18 quoted him saying that “I feel the Supreme Court verdict is a triumph for all discriminated and persecuted people of our country -- whether it is segregation on the basis of sexual orientation, or gender, or caste or economic condition. We all need the law and the government to support the weaker sections.” 

© Eros Entertainment

He also spoke out on the need for better opportunities and treatment of the LGBTQ community and added that "I felt the man's isolation, his need for companionship more than ***. All our friends in the LGBT community need our help and support. This Supreme Court verdict is one major step in normalising the status of gay people. But we are a long way off from giving them their due rights."

3. Ashutosh Rana

© Pooja Bhatt productions & Vishesh Films

Another underrated character artist in Bollywood who has delivered marvellous performances, again and again. People were close to shitting their pants when Gokul Pandit screamed at the camera in 'Dushman'. Those scary eyes will haunt people for a long time to come. 

Recently, Ashutosh spoke out in support of the need for all of us to stick together as a nation, in view of the religion-driven politics and the impending unrest that threatens to break out some day not so far into the future. 

Calling on the citizens to live by the religion of humanity first, Ashutosh delivered this beautiful shayari to make his point, thereby speaking out for millions of people in very simple words - 

The “villains” of Bollywood turn out to be such sharp well read intelligent people, while the “Heroes” have been such an ignorant disgrace.  pic.twitter.com/6WmhqAQtGX

— Baba (@BabaGlocal) November 20, 2018 4. Gulshan Grover 

© Suneha Arts

The Bad Man of Bollywood and 'Ram Lakhan' became an iconic character in Grover's life. He is known for portraying some of the most popular negative roles on-screen such as Kali Baba in 'Shola Aur Shabnam'. No matter whether the movie worked at the box office or not, but he surely worked as the villain. 

Off the camera, Gulshan Grover also supports the noble cause of animal rights and supports People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). 

Expressing his concern over the illegal slaughtering of animals for their hides, The Hindu quoted the actor as saying, “I am a villain only on the screen; however, there are real-life villains who treat animals badly whether in Mumbai or in New York. I urge Indians to help stop needless animal suffering by insisting that their local governments and the police enforce laws against the perpetrators of animal crimes.”

5. Anupam Shyam 

© Spellbound Productions

Known for his roles in movies such as 'Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India', 'Bandit Queen' and 'Slumdog Millionaire', Shyam is also a known villain on the small screen. People often remember the man for his stellar performance as Sajjan Singh in 'Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya' on Star Plus. 

Off the camera, the man has been lending his support to the cause of the Clean Ganga Mission. He has been making personal efforts to raise awareness and bring about a change. In an interview with Tribune, Shyam was quoted as saying, “Garbage, filth, sewage, waste, polythene bags and even ritual leftovers we submit to the Ganga. Is this what our religion teaches or the treatment we should give to the Ganga. Government projects alone won't help in cleaning the Ganga from Gaumukh to Ganga Sagar. Individually, we all need to take the responsibility of cleaning the Ganga.”