Top Women Oriented Films Of Bollywood

For decades, Hindi cinema has been a mirror reflecting the times and scenarios the nation has gone through. From playing decorative objects in movies, if not victims or martyrs, to becoming a strong force, women have come a long way in our movies. The Hindi film actress has graduated from being the abala naari to the woman of substance and strength who stands for her rights, raises her voice against injustice, fights for her dignity and self-respect and also rebels when she has to.

Hindi movies through decades have effectively presented changing times and cultures, be it the massive shift in the professions the women are exposed to or even the household abuses that the women of today have stood against. From Meena Kumari to Vidya Balan, from Mother India to Lipstick Under My Burkha, the women in Hindi cinema have been pivotal in bringing across the transformation the country has been through. We bring you 20 films that show women as heroes.

1. Mother India (1957)

Mother India is a classic film coming from the early era of Indian Cinema. It was a path-breaking film of its time. It is considered to be one of Nargis Dutt’s most impressive and iconic performances. Nargis as Radha is a poor villager who fights all odds to raise her two sons. She is looked upon as the epitome of justice and a god-like figure by the villagers. Staying true to her principles, she kills her immoral son for justice’s sake.

2. Mirch Masala (1987)

Mirch Masala, directed by Ketan Mehta tells the story of an ordinary village woman, Sonbai played by Smitha Patil who chooses to say no to a powerful authority, the subedar played by Naseeruddin Shah, in order to save herself from his evil eyes. Deepti Naval’s character is that of the wife of the Village Mukhiya who revolts against her husband for his atrocities against her will to educate their daughter. Truly an impressive story of women’s empowerment during the regressive times.

3. Astitva (2000)

Astitva, directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, uncovers the male chauvinist culture of Indian society. It unveils issues like extramarital affairs and spousal abuse prevalent in society but unspoken of. This film speaks about a woman Aditi Shrikant Pandit played by Tabu, trying to find her own identity outside her marriage and she finally moves away from her husband and son, empowered by her to-be daughter-in-law, Namrata Shirodkar, who too leaves the chauvinist boyfriend.

4. Chandni Bar (2001)

Chandni Bar brings to light the dark and helpless lives of numerous women in Mumbai who are caught in the web of underworld, prostitution, dance bars and crime. Tabu, who plays Mumtaz in the film, strives hard to give her children a better future but alas, situations get the best of her. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, it’s a nerve-racking tale of the realities faced by the women in some belts of Mumbai.

5. No One Killed Jessica (2011)

This film is based on the real-life story of Jessica Lal’s murder case. It’s a tale of how Jessica’s elder sister, Sabrina Lal played by Vidya Balan fights the wealthy and influential man who shot her sister. Rani Mukerji plays the gritty journalist who helps Vidya Balan fight against all odds. The film shows that even a common woman can rise above all odds and fight for justice. The film is directed by Rajkumar Gupta.

6. Kahaani (2012)

Kahaani is a movie which lives up to its name more than you could ask for. The entire script of Kahaani was filled with unexpected twists and turns that you definitely won’t see coming.

Kahaani has it all, a brilliant script and a screenplay that runs along at a pace which will keep you glued to the screen. The actors of the movie have done a phenomenal job and director Sujoy Ghosh has paid attention to every single detail ensuring nothing is left in a hush.

7. English Vinglish (2012)

English Vinglish is a story of a common housewife Shashi Godbole played by Sridevi. It beautifully shows how the housewife, who is brilliant as a homemaker, a wife and a mother, is looked down upon and made fun of by her daughter and husband just because she can’t speak fluent English. A hurt Shashi Godbole turns things around as she learns the language on her US trip to her niece’s wedding. Gauri Shinde’s simple story is an impressive one as the woman overcomes her shortcomings.

8. Queen (2014)

Queen is a beautiful story of a young girl Rani played by Kangana Ranaut. It’s heartbreaking when Vijay played by Rajkumar Rao, just a day before the wedding breaks the news to Rani that he is no more interested in marrying her. The simple, small-town girl is shattered but soon she decides to stand up for herself and to go on a honeymoon all alone. During her travel, she meets new friends, discovers the world and life and comes back as a changed person, ready to take control of her life.

9. Mardaani (2014)

Mardaani is the story of a female cop, Shivani Roy. It was played by Rani Mukerji who fights the kingpin of organised crimes involving child trafficking and drugs. It shows how the lady officer fights woman trafficking in the city.  Thoroughly researched with meetings set up with the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police, Mardaani was well-received critically and commercially as it was hailed for breaking gender stereotypes and depicting a strong female police officer leading the movie. Mukherji’s performance was particularly applauded for balancing the roles of a gritty police officer and nurturing foster mother and family woman.

10. Mary Kom (2014)

Mary Kom is the true life story of the Indian boxer who won India great accolades internationally. Priyanka Chopra plays the real-life character on the big screen beautifully depicting Kom’s story. It is special because of the hardships Kom had to go through throughout her career. She makes a comeback post her marriage, and as a mother of two Kom continues her successful journey against all odds.

11. Neerja (2016)

Neerja Bhanot, the film is based on a true life story of a flight purser who was shot and killed while making sure that hundreds of passengers of the hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 were safe and sound. Sonam Kapoor plays Neerja with great grit and élan.

12. Mom (2017)

Mom is the story of a mother who revenges her daughter’s rape and death after being denied justice by the law. Sridevi plays the simple mother who transforms into a shrewd woman to avenge her daughter’s death.

13. Pink (2016)

Pink told the nation that when a woman says ‘No’ it means ‘No’. No matter what clothes she wears or what lifestyle she leads, she can’t be forced into doing anything against her will. Amitabh Bachchan plays an advocate who fights for the girls entrapped in a legal battle against notorious boys belonging to influential families.

14. Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017)

Lipstick Under My Burkha is coming of age film about women’s sexuality. A fearlessly feminist film, it holds a mirror to the present times we live in.

Four Indian women try to balance their personal and professional lives while dealing with patriarchy. While their stories move parallelly, they all have one thing in common: how women and men are judged differently by our society. Even since the movie was denied certification by the censor board, it stirred up a conversation on misogyny and the state of women in India.

15. Raazi (2018)

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