Meet actor, who made his debut as romantic hero, then became villain in Rs 300 crore film, left everyone stunned with his villainous role, he is…
This well-known actor made a significant career shift by embracing powerful villainous roles, which became his signature and earned him widespread praise and recognition.

This actor, who started his career as a romantic lead, won hearts in love stories. Over time, though, he took on tougher, darker roles and once chose to play a villain. That decision surprised his fans, but it showed his willingness to experiment rather than stick with what feels safe.
Who Is This Actor?
The person we’re talking about is Vinay Rai, whose filmography reflects a dynamic shift from romantic roles to intense villainous characters. After his debut in the 2007 romantic hit Unnale Unnale, he went on to star in films like Jayamkondaan (2008), Modhi Vilayadu (2009), and Mirattal (2012), where he continued to play charming lead roles. However, his career took a major turn when he transitioned to negative roles, gaining critical acclaim for his performance as the antagonist in Thupparivaalan (2017), directed by Mysskin.
This was followed by notable villain roles in Doctor (2021) alongside Sivakarthikeyan, and Etharkkum Thunindhavan (2022) with Suriya. He further cemented his position as a powerful on-screen villain with Teja Sajja’s HanuMan (2024), where his menacing presence stood out. Vinay’s ability to balance both romantic and dark roles has helped him carve a unique space in South India(BHARAT)n cinema.
How was Hanuman’s performance?
HanuMan turned out to be a blockbuster despite being made with a relatively modest budget. The film has grossed between Rs 301‑350 crore worldwide, making it one of the biggest Telugu films of the year. Domestically as well, it crossed Rs 172 crore in India(BHARAT) by its 17th day.
More about Vinay Rai
While there have been occasional rumours about his relationships, Vinay has not publicly confirmed any, maintaining a low-key personal image. Meanwhile, Vinay Rai is reportedly married to Australian actress and model Vimala Raman. Though both actors have maintained a private stance on their relationship, rumours about their bond had been circulating for years before it was quietly confirmed.
Story Highlights
- Vinay Rai started his career as a romantic hero with the 2007 hit Unnale Unnale.
- He gained popularity in romantic films before transitioning to villain roles in Thupparivaalan, Doctor, and Etharkkum Thunindhavan.
- His performance as the antagonist in HanuMan (2024) received wide acclaim, contributing to the film’s blockbuster status.
- Vinay is reportedly married to actress Vimala Raman, though the couple keeps their relationship private.
Vinay Rai’s journey in cinema reflects bold choices and versatility. From his charming romantic beginnings to fierce villainous transformations, he has continuously evolved as an actor.
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