Bollywood embraces bold female storytelling

Jun 9, 2025

CELEB LOOKS

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​'Gangubai Kathiawadi'

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' transforms Alia Bhatt into a formidable matriarch who rises from victimhood to power in Mumbai’s underbelly. Bhansali’s grand direction and Bhatt’s award-winning performance celebrate a woman’s fight for dignity and justice against all odds.

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​'The Sky is Pink'

Directed by Shonali Bose, this emotive drama features Priyanka Chopra Jonas in a sensitive role as a mother who wades through love, loss, and hope. Bose's filmmaking provides ample room for woman's eye-view and thus results in a soulful tribute to a mother's resilience and determination.

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​'Dear Zindagi'

Gauri Shinde's 'Dear Zindagi' is a breath of fresh air when it comes to mental illness and self-acceptance. Alia Bhatt's Kaira is a multi-dimensional, relatable character, and Shinde's handling ensures her emotional turmoil and evolution are treated with sensitivity and truthfulness.

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​'English Vinglish'

Directed by Gauri Shinde, this heartwarming film follows Sridevi’s Shashi, a homemaker who sets out to learn English and, in the process, rediscovers her self-worth. Shinde’s sensitive direction and Sridevi’s nuanced performance turn a simple story into an inspiring journey of transformation and dignity.

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​'Jigra'

'Jigra' is a raw drama of sisterhood and sacrifice guided by a director not afraid to expose the rough edges of emotion. The starring actress gives an intensity-filled performance playing a woman who stands tall in the face of adversity for the sake of her own.

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​'Stree 2'

Back with supernatural chills, 'Stree 2' turns the horror genre on its head by putting a mystical, dominant woman at its center. The filmmaker smartly leverages folklore to subvert gender norms, as the enigmatic presence of the female protagonist propels both horror and intrigue.

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​'Crew'

A twist heist comedy, 'Crew' features superpower actresses playing roles that upend stereotypes. The direction carefully balances humor and biting social commentary, enabling every female lead to demonstrate wit, ambition, and friendship, that women can indeed be both courageous and charming.

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​'Laapataa Ladies'

Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies,' for instance, is a wisecracking, satirical satire of rural India, told from the lives of two wives mistakenly exchanged during their weddings. With humor and tenderness, the film tackles patriarchy and showcases female agency, with Jaya, as brought to us by Pratibha Ranta, the bright star and epitome of endurance and self-realization.

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​'Article 370'

Against the political unrest of Kashmir, 'Article 370' explores the realm of intelligence and national security through the lens of a strong female lead. Shot with a hard-hitting, realistic eye, the lead actress dominates the screen, playing both vulnerability and steely determination as she tackles high-stakes challenges.

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