Regina from Mean Girls (2004). Regina George is why the movie has that title. Wednesdays we wear pink. No one else can wear hoop earrings. She hasn’t signed off on Fetch – it’s not going to happen. She was half a virgin when she met her boyfriend, of course she’s sad when she gets dumped. And remember, it’s the new girl, out-of-Africa Cady, who does meaner things just out of envy.

Poo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). Kareena Kapoor influenced campus politics with just this role. Poo is rich, spoiled, and so hot, you can’t tear your eyes away. Her entourage worships her. She’s got more put-downs than she can fill in her tiny tote. She holds a swayamvar to pick a prom date. And when a boy asks, “Hey Poo! Movie tonight?”, she delivers Bollywood’s best burn: “Tell me how it waaaaaaaaas.” How to hate her?

Gossip Girl in Gossip Girl (2007-2012). History has taught us that no gossip source can stay anonymous for long. But, oh, the joy while it lasts! The Constance Billard School for Girls seems like a toxic soup. There’s blackmail, power dynamics, bullying, and BFFs going to war (with parents involved). Naturally, the Gossip Girl site is where the tea is served. Turns out, the meanest girl of them all was a guy. Dan Humphrey was quietly stirring up a storm.

A in Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017). An anonymous blackmailer, known only as A, is harassing former mean girls Aria, Hanna, Emily and Spencer. It brings out the worst in them. They get each other into trouble with their families, with the cops, with each other. They even cover up murder in one toxic spiral. And it’s all because of A, who is determined to show all the girls their true colours.

Madison in American Horror Story: Coven (2013). Ah witches, the OG mean girls. The women in Coven will kill for control. Madison Montgomery, a former Hollywood star is a diva even off the set. She’s got powers, she wants more. She uses it to bully people and expose their lies and deceit. And she’s got ambition – she wants the top job. She even kills the terrifying witch slayer, The Axeman, on the way. Yaas, witch!

Pushpavalli in Pushpavalli (2017-2020). A bunch of young women paying-guests in Bengaluru. What could go wrong? Plenty. Pushpavalli is a sneaky, seemingly harmless stalker. Her informant is a tea stall owner (aka T Boy). She’s determined, quick-witted and very persuasive. She gets engaged, but even her love seems calculated. We love this devotion to evil.

Yashika in Class (2023). So much power, and she hasn’t even finished her schooling. Yashika has money, style, viral Insta Lives, and more brains than half her privileged classmates. She’s a bully too, pointing out everyone’s icks. But when Koel, her BFF, has body-image issues, Yashika says, ‘Stop fat shaming yourself. It’s not worth it.” We love a villain who knows where to draw the line!

Jennifer from Jennifer’s Body (2009). Leave aside that she feeds on actual teen boys to keep herself looking hot – it’s not her fault she’s possessed by a demon. Even then, Jennifer is awful to her timid bestie Needy. Her moral code was a bit off even before the demons. But she makes selfishness, put-downs and even murder seem vital to looking good and living well. We’re almost convinced.

Angela from The Office (2005-2013). Could Angela be the OG Karen? Judgy, blunt, prudish and catty and cat obsessed. She rules the party-planning committee with an iron fist. She’s offended by The Da Vinci Code, Gap Kids, and even Will & Grace. She hopes Oscar, who’s gay, prays hard so he can change… into a cat person. And she’s passing off Dwight’s baby as her husband’s. Not quite so saintly then!

Gina from Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021). She’s not a cop, but Gina can make entire police teams nervous. Her response to a colleague’s delight: “Did you make the cover of Hair-Pulled-Back magazine?” Her excuse for drama: “Look, I can’t help it if my life is literally a Step Up movie.” Her self-absorption: “I’m the human form of the 100 emoji” or “If I die, turn my tweets into a book.” So iconic that when she quit the show, they kept her on as a bronze statue.

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