Empowering the Silver Screen: Exploring Female-Led Movies in Bollywood
It's wonderful to see how some contemporary Bollywood films have portrayed their female lead characters. Today, women are more than just supporting roles or sidekicks of the male leads. Let’s get a dose of girl power, today! Yes, we are talking about Bollywood’s Women Brigade as we deep dive into the world of female-led films where the spotlight shines bright on strong and complex female characters. These ladies on screen have broken the mold and shattered glass ceilings! Let’s take a look at some of the feisty queens of the silver screen.
For too long, Bollywood has thrown us simpleton girls, supportive wives, and beautiful love interests. From flowing saree pallus to the dance numbers, we have long watched women looking beautiful on screen. But with the winds of change, a new wave of filmmakers are focusing on stories that resonate with us. They are writing characters with depth, layers, and complexities. Today we have seen Bollywood celebrate women's ambitions, resilience, flaws, and independence! Cheers to women of substance on screen.
7 Female-Led Movies in Bollywood
From Vidya Balan to Alia Bhatt, every queen of Bollywood is coming up with content meant to add to the ongoing discussion about gender equality in addition to showcasing the extraordinary talent of acting.
Kahaani (2012)
Pregnant Vidya Bagchi leaves London for Kolkata in an attempt to find her husband, Arnab Bagchi, who has gone missing. Rana, a local police officer, is consulted by her. She discovers there is more to it than what first appears as she digs deeper into the investigation. Kahani is one of the best women-oriented movies to watch, with exceptional acting by Vidya Balan and interesting direction by Sujoy Ghosh.
Image source: https://www.behance.net/
Queen (2014)
When the Delhi-born young Rani Mehra finds her fiancé abruptly canceling the wedding just a few days before her wedding, she does the unthinkable. Despite her initial reluctance, Rani chooses to go on the planned honeymoon trip to Europe by herself.
Queen is not just a film about a girl, it is a story of liberation that screams “I don’t need you”! In a stunning performance, Kangana Ranaut plays the timid Rani, bringing out a humorous and touching self-discovery journey.
Image source: http://www.impawards.com/
Raazi (2018)
In this cross-border thriller, Sehmat Khan (Alia Bhatt), a Kashmiri undercover agent, is married off to Pakistani military personnel. While juggling moral dilemmas and personal struggles, she obtains vital information that helps India during the conflict. This is among the best Bollywood films aimed towards women.
As Sehmat, Alia Bhatt shines throughout and gives a mature performance at a tender age. This is an inspiring tale of bravery, sacrifice, and the fortitude required to put one's responsibilities ahead of oneself.
Image source: https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/
English Vinglish (2012)
Shashi, a middle-class Marathi housewife, is frequently made fun of by her family for not speaking English. On a family vacation to the US, she feels left out, decides to test her resolve, and enrolls in an English language school.
This heartwarming comedy explores the importance of self-improvement and finding your voice, regardless of age or circumstance, with a superlative performance by the late Sridevi.
Image source: https://www.jiocinema.com/
Thappad (2020)
Amrita is a committed housewife and professional who appears to be happy in her ideal marriage. But when her spouse slaps her at a party, her life takes an unexpected turn. This brilliant performance by Tapsee Pannu tells us about the tale of a wife who must constantly sacrifice her aspirations, her passion, her career, and occasionally even her self-respect—a situation that is no longer the case for some or most people in marriages. It is one of the best female-led movies in recent times.
Image source: https://in.bookmyshow.com/
Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)
A young woman named Gangubai takes over Kamathipura, a red-light district in Mumbai, after being sold to a brothel as a minor. She develops into a formidable force in the crime world and is renowned for her resiliency, wit, and intelligence.
Image source:https://www.hindustantimes.com/
Damini (1993)
Damini, a young housewife of an affluent family, witnesses a brutal rape of her maid that involved her brother-in-law and his friends. Despite strong opposition from her own family, she chooses to fight for justice for the maid.
In this yesteryear, family drama, when heroines were meant to be singing and dancing in opulent backdrops, Meenakshi Sheshadri gave a path-breaking performance as a woman of courage and resilience.
Image source: www.imdb.com
These are just a taste of the incredible female-led films out there. From social dramas like "Lajja" (2001) that tackle discrimination and violence to biopics like "Mary Kom" (2014) that celebrate sporting achievements, there's a movie for every mood and message.
So, grab your girlfriends, order some yummy snacks, and settle in for a night of Girl Power cinema. Bollywood is no longer just about the hero (thankfully); it's about the heroine too. And that's something we can all celebrate!
