Over time, Bollywood has witnessed notable advancements in its depiction of female characters. Where earlier there was the portrayal of women as only subdued characters, the Bollywood movies have moved forward to portray them as strong characters, which captivated the audiences’ attention. Various characters in this landscape have emerged as uniquely celebrated for their resilience, fortitude, and compelling portrayals.
12 Strong and Iconic Female Characters
Geet Dhillon – “Jab We Met”
Geet, essayed by Kareena Kapoor Khan, is a vibrant, boisterous young woman who’s on the journey of self-discovery after a streak of accidents in her life. The inherent charm, her immediacy, and her tireless conviction she exhibits would make her the person necessary that would stimulate the viewer to live through the hardships of life from an encouraging point.
Running Time: 138 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Star Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Writer: Imtiaz Ali
Year of release: 2007
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Rani Mehra – “Queen”
Rani, played by Kangana Ranaut, goes through a groundbreaking journey of self-discovery and strengthening in the wake of being abandoned at the raised area. With her newly discovered autonomy, she sets out on a performance special first night excursion to Europe, breaking liberated from cultural standards and finding her actual worth enroute. Rani’s strength and boldness resound with crowds, making her a seal of female strengthening.
Running Time: 146 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Star Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Haydon
Director: Vikar Bahl
Writer: Anvita Dutt Guptan
Year of release: 2013
Where to Watch: Netflix
Meera Gaity – “NH10”
Anushka Sharma’s depiction of Meera, a lady who assumes control over issues to seek justice after a harrowing incident, exhibits her solidarity and assurance notwithstanding difficulty. Meera’s unflinching purpose to stand up to underhanded powers head-on makes her a convincing and daring person who challenges cultural standards and battles for common decency.
Running Time: 115 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Action, Drama
Star Cast: Anushka Sharma, Neil Bhoopalam
Director: Navdeep Singh
Writer: Sudip Sharma
Year of release: 2015
Where to Watch: Netflix
Piku Banerjee – “Piku”
Deepika Padukone’s depiction of Piku, a fiercely independent woman who shuffles her profession and really focusing on her unpredictable dad, reverberated with crowds across ages. Piku’s realism, mind, and immovable devotion to her family make her an interesting and charming person who typifies current womanhood.
Running Time: 122 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Dramedy
Star Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan
Director: Shoojit Sircar
Writer: Juhi Chaturvedi
Year of release: 2015
Where to Watch: SonyLIV
Aisha – “Wake Up Sid”
Konkona Sen Sharma’s depiction of Aisha, a confident and ambitious young woman who moves to Mumbai to pursue her dreams, resists generalizations and difficulties conventional orientation jobs. Aisha’s assurance to cut her own way in a male-ruled world fills in as a motivation to ladies taking a stab at freedom and accomplishment according to their own preferences.
Running Time: 138 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Star Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Ranbir Kapoor
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Writer: Ayan Mukerji
Year of release: 2009
Where to Watch: Netflix
Sehmat Khan – “Raazi”
One of those characters reflecting such qualities of courage, hope, and compassion is Alia Bhatt as Sehmat, a young Indian girl being inducted as a spy in Pakistan while fighting between India and Pakistan carries on in 1971. Sehmat, with unbeatable patriotism and the way with dangerous situations—take them as they come and with grace—makes her the most outstanding and unforgettable personality.
Running Time: 140 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Star Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Jaydeep Ahlawat
Director: Meghna Gulzar
Writer: Bhavani Iyer, Meghna Gulzar
Year of release: 2018
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Vidya Bagchi – “Kahaani”
Vidya Balan, as Vidya Bagchi – a pregnant woman who comes to Kolkata to search for her missing husband, is just so attractive against the rest of the other actors. The determination, the intellect, the wit she puts in unfolding the mystery behind her husband’s disappearance is such that one can hardly resist not getting drawn towards her as the indefatigable protagonist who cannot be put down and is out there to deliver justice.
Running Time: 122 minutes
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Thriller
Star Cast: Vidya Balan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Writer: Sujoy Ghosh, Advaita Kala
Year of release: 2012
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Vidya Venkatesan Bagavathar – “Tumhari Sulu”
Vidya Balan shines as Sulu, a working housewife who startlingly ends up seeking after a vocation as a radio station personality. Sulu’s irresistible excitement, good faith, and get-up-and-go move watchers to embrace change and seek after their fantasies, regardless of their age or conditions.
Running Time: 140 mIniures
IMDB Rating:
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Star Cast: Rani Mukherjee, Manav Paul, Neha Dhupia, RJ Malishka
Director: Suresh Triveni
Writer: Suresh Triveni
Year of release: 2017
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Shashi – “English Vinglish”
Sridevi essayed the role of Shashi, a middle-aged housewife who registers for an English language course to boost self-assurance. Shashi’s journey with self-realization and empowerment connotes that self-worth and drive break any societal stereotypical norms.
Running Time: 134 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Star Cast: Sridevi, Adil Hussain
Director: Gauri Shinde
Writer: Gauri Shinde
Year of release: 2012
Where to Watch: JioCinema
Shivani Shivaji Roy – “Mardaani”
Rani Mukerji’s depiction of Shivani Shivaji Roy, a bold and dedicated cop fighting against human trafficking and gender-based violence, grandstands her enduring obligation to equity and ladies’ freedoms. Shivani’s assurance, boldness, and flexibility even with difficulty make her a good example for ladies in policing.
Running Time: 113 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Crime, Action
Star Cast: Rani Mukherjee
Director: Pradeep Sarkar
Writer: Gopi Puthran
Year of release: 2014
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Mastani – “Bajirao Mastani”
Deepika Padukone’s depiction of Mastani, a warrior princess who resists cultural standards to seek after her affection for the incredible fighter Bajirao, is both spellbinding and strong. Mastani’s mental fortitude, strength, and faithful love make her an image of flexibility and disobedience against shamefulness and mistreatment.
Running Time: 158 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Genre: Romance, Action
Star Cast: Deepuka Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Writer: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Year of release: 2015
Where to Watch: JioCinema, Amazon Prime
Amrita – “Thappad”
Taapsee Pannu’s depiction of Amrita, a lady who stands up against domestic violence after her significant other slaps her at a party, reverberated with crowds for its depiction of solidarity and versatility notwithstanding difficulty. Amrita’s excursion of self-disclosure and strengthening sends a strong message about the significance of sense of pride and going to bat for one’s privileges.
Running Time: 142 minutes
IMDB Rating: 7/10
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Star Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Pavail Gulati
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Writer: Anubhav Sinha, Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul
Year of release: 2020
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Conclusion
All in all, these 12 strong and iconic female characters in Bollywood films have resisted generalizations, tested cultural standards, and enlivened crowds with their flexibility, boldness, and assurance. From Geet’s irresistible enthusiasm to Amrita’s faithful strength, these characters have made a permanent imprint on the artistic scene and keep on filling in as good examples for ladies all over the place.