India, Aug. 21 -- The line between hero and villain is getting blurrier in Indian cinema, with several established leading men choosing darker parts in upcoming films. Akshay Kumar plays a psychopathic antagonist in Haiwaan, Yash takes on Ravana in Ramayana, while Vivek Oberoi, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Harshvardhan Rane and Abhishek Bachchan are also returning to negative or morally grey territory. For stars long associated with playing the hero, these roles offer a chance to turn familiar screen images on their head.

Best known for playing the anti-hero Rocky Bhai in the KGF franchise, Kannada superstar Yash steps into the role of Ravana in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari's two-part Ramayana, opposite Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. Yash has said the f...