From breaking stereotypes to showing independence, Bollywood has made many women centric movies that entertain and inspire us. They give us a peek into women’s lives and reminds us to appreciate the women around us and their stories. Let’s look at some of the top women centric movies of Bollywood that showcase women’s strength, resilience, and different experiences.
Top Women Centric Movies of Bollywood
English Vinglish
“English Vinglish,” a 2012 Hindi drama film, stars Sridevi and Adil Hussain. The movie received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Filmfare for Best Actress and Best Director.
It tells the story of Shashi, a homemaker who faces ridicule from her husband and daughter for her inability to speak and understand English.
Determined to prove herself, Shashi decides to learn English during a trip to the USA. The film follows Shashi’s journey as she endeavours to master the language, rediscover her self-worth, and assert her value as a mother and wife within her family, making it one of the top women centric movies of Bollywood.
Gauri Shinde made her directorial debut with this film.
Gangubai Kathiawadi
Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed the film Gangubai Kathiawadi, which stars Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Ajay Devgn, and Jim Sarbh. The story follows a young woman who, after being betrayed and trafficked to a brothel, seizes control of the world that once exploited her. Leveraging her underworld connections, she rises to power, aiming to provide a better life for the women within it. “Gangubai Kathiawadi” is based on the true story of Gangubai Kathiawadi.
Queen
Directed by Vikas Bahl, “Queen” stars Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Haydon, and Rajkummar Rao. The story revolves around Rani, a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when her wedding is called off. Determined to discover herself and break free from societal norms, Rani embarks on a solo honeymoon to Europe. There, she encounters a series of adventures that challenge her perceptions and redefine her identity. This ranks it among the top women centric movies of Bollywood.
The blockbuster film is set to have a sequel, with Vikas Bahl confirming Kangana Ranaut’s return as Rani ten years after the original release.
Piku
Shoojit Sircar directed “Piku”, which features Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan. The story revolves around Piku, a devoted daughter torn between her career aspirations and caring for her ageing father.
Deepika Padukone received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in “Piku,” despite also being nominated for “Bajirao Mastani” the same year. The film delves into the intricacies of a father-daughter relationship, highlighting themes of connecting to one’s roots, accepting and loving flawed individuals, and navigating life’s journey.
Set against the backdrop of a continuous debate over selling their ancestral home in Kolkata, Piku and her father, Bhashkor Banerjee, embark on a road trip to Kolkata with Rana. The movie captures the essence of their journey as the three characters engage in humorous banter while navigating through life’s challenges.
Mardaani
Directed by Pradeep Sarkar, “Mardaani” stars Rani Mukherji, Jisshu Sengupta, and Tahir Raj Bhasin. The film follows Shivani Shivaji Roy, a determined senior inspector in the Mumbai Police, as she bravely investigates and seeks to dismantle a human trafficking ring.
The movie’s success led to a sequel, “Mardaani 2,” with Rani Mukherji reprising her role. “Mardaani” portrays the harsh reality of drug trafficking and child exploitation that persists in contemporary India. When an orphan goes missing from an NGO, Crime Branch officer Shivani Shivaji Roy becomes embroiled in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with the mafia kingpin.
Dear Zindagi
Directed by Gauri Shinde, “Dear Zindagi” features Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Ali Zafar, Rohit Saraf, Kunal Kapoor, and Aditya Roy Kapur. The story follows Kaira, a young woman facing career setbacks and heartbreaks that lead to insomnia. Seeking help, she reaches out to Dr. Jehangir Khan, a psychologist who employs unconventional methods in her treatment. Thought-provoking and relatable, the film resonates with young audiences.
In “Dear Zindagi,” Shah Rukh Khan plays a supporting role, adding depth to the narrative.
Kahaani
Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, “Kahaani” stars Vidya Balan, Parambrata Chatterjee, Indraneil Sengupta, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Saswata Chatterjee. The story revolves around Vidya Bagchi, a pregnant woman who travels from London to Kolkata in search of her missing husband. Despite uncovering clues, she finds herself at dead ends, realising that there’s more to the mystery than meets the eye.
Vidya Balan’s portrayal of Vidya Bagchi earned her numerous awards, making “Kahaani” a standout film of the year.
NH10
Directed by Navdeep Singh, “NH10” stars Anushka Sharma, Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Kumar, and Deepti Naval. The story follows Meera and Arjun, a married couple on a road trip, who witness an honour killing on the outskirts of Haryana committed by a powerful gangster. As a result, the gangsters begin pursuing the couple to silence them. The film revolves around Meera’s quest for justice and revenge against the injustice they witnessed.
“NH10” marks Anushka Sharma’s debut as a film producer.
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