Perpendicular is trending again on social media, bringing one of Gangs of Wasseypur’s most chaotic characters back into the spotlight. Here’s why Babua Khan remains one of Bollywood’s most unforgettable characters.
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Why Is “Perpendicular” Trending Again? The Gangs of Wasseypur Character Everyone Is Talking About
Some Bollywood characters disappear when a movie ends. Others somehow become bigger with time.
Perpendicular from Gangs of Wasseypur belongs firmly in the second category.
More than a decade after Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur introduced audiences to its unforgettable world of gang wars, family rivalries and dark humour, Perpendicular continues to find his way back into internet conversations.
Recent social-media posts and discussions have once again brought the character into the spotlight, with people comparing random real-life looks and situations to the instantly recognisable Perpendicular.
That has naturally led to one question:
Why is Perpendicular trending again?
The answer is a combination of nostalgia, memes, an instantly recognisable character design and the fact that Gangs of Wasseypur continues to have an unusually strong cultural presence among Indian movie fans.
Who Is Perpendicular in Gangs of Wasseypur?
Perpendicular, also known as Babua Khan, is one of the younger members of the Khan family in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2.
The character was played by Aditya Kumar and became one of the film’s most memorable supporting characters despite having relatively limited screen time. IMDb credits Aditya Kumar as Perpendicular in Gangs of Wasseypur.
Perpendicular is introduced as a young, unpredictable and fearless character who appears to have very little concern for conventional rules.
His distinctive attitude, physical appearance, mannerisms and the way he moves through the world make him immediately recognisable.
And then there is the blade.
The character’s association with a blade became one of his most memorable visual traits, helping turn a relatively small role into something audiences remembered long after the movie ended. Contemporary coverage of the character specifically highlighted his “blade-rolling” persona.
Why Is Perpendicular Trending Again?
The simplest explanation is internet nostalgia.
Social media has a habit of bringing older Bollywood characters back whenever a particular image, expression, outfit or personality reminds users of them.
In July 2026, Reddit posts again compared people and situations to Perpendicular, with comments directly referencing the Gangs of Wasseypur character.
That kind of organic meme culture is exactly what keeps characters like Perpendicular alive.
Unlike a conventional movie character who is remembered mainly because of a famous dialogue or romantic scene, Perpendicular has a visual identity that can be used as a meme template.
Someone standing with an unusually serious expression?
Perpendicular.
Someone carrying themselves like a tiny gangster?
Perpendicular.
A random person looking unexpectedly intimidating?
The internet already has a reference.
That is how a character from a 2012 movie can suddenly become part of a 2026 social-media conversation.
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The Character Became Bigger Than His Screen Time
One of the most interesting things about Perpendicular is how much impact the character created despite not dominating the movie.
Aditya Kumar’s portrayal became so closely associated with the character that audiences began identifying him primarily as Perpendicular.
In a 2022 interview with Hindustan Times, Kumar said that playing Perpendicular had made him a household name, but that he was still trying to escape the typecasting created by the role.
Perpendicular Was Never a Typical Gangster Character
One reason the character continues to stand out is that Perpendicular doesn’t feel like a conventional Bollywood gangster.
He is young.
He is impulsive.
He is unpredictable.
And there is an almost mischievous quality to the character.
That combination makes him different from the older, more powerful figures surrounding him.
The world of Gangs of Wasseypur is filled with characters who are driven by revenge, politics, money and power. Perpendicular, however, often feels like a younger generation that has grown up around violence and treats it almost like an everyday part of life.
That contrast creates some of the movie’s memorable dark humour.
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Final Thoughts
The latest Perpendicular trending conversation is another example of how Bollywood’s most memorable characters can return to the spotlight years after their original release.
Perpendicular may have appeared in only a limited portion of Gangs of Wasseypur, but his combination of attitude, appearance, humour and unpredictability made him unforgettable.
Played by Aditya Kumar, the character became so strongly associated with the actor that even years later, audiences continue to recognise him primarily through his Gangs of Wasseypur identity.
And that’s the strange power of cult cinema.
A movie can be more than a decade old.
A character can have been gone from the screen for years.
But one viral image, one Reel or one random internet comparison can bring everything back.
FAQs
Why is Perpendicular trending again?
Perpendicular is trending again because social-media users have recently revived references to the character from Gangs of Wasseypur, particularly through memes, comparisons and viral posts. Recent Reddit posts from July 2026 show users directly invoking the character in reactions to people’s appearances and mannerisms.
Who played Perpendicular in Gangs of Wasseypur?
Perpendicular was played by Aditya Kumar in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2.
What is Perpendicular’s real name in Gangs of Wasseypur?
The character is known as Babu “Babua” Khan, while “Perpendicular” is his nickname.
Why is he called Perpendicular?
“Perpendicular” is the nickname associated with Babua Khan in the film. The unusual name became one of the character’s most recognisable traits.
Is Perpendicular in Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1?
Perpendicular is primarily associated with Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2, where Aditya Kumar plays the character.
What happened to Perpendicular in Gangs of Wasseypur?
Perpendicular’s involvement in criminal activity ultimately leads to his death, reflecting the violent consequences faced by many characters in the film.
Why is Perpendicular so popular?
His distinctive look, unpredictable personality, dark humour, blade-based mannerisms and memorable scenes made him one of the most recognisable supporting characters in the Gangs of Wasseypur universe.
