Bollywood movies have long charmed the audience with their dramatic plotlines, catchy numbers, and over-the-top characters. However, one thing that isn’t new in Indian cinema is stereotyping of female roles, where women are often sidelined to supportive characters meant to add absolutely nothing but looks to the hero’s journey. Thankfully, times are changing and the Indian film industry is at the cusp of a revolution fueled by strong, independent female leads who are determined to redefine the notion of women both on and off screen.
A new wave of female-centered movies that are smashing box office records has entered. Backed by soulful and empowering scripts, these leading ladies are defying outdated conventions of what a female role should be in cinema – they’re no longer damsels in distress waiting for Prince Charming to save them with a kiss. Instead, they are fully realized protagonists who evolve, grow, fight, make mistakes, fall down, and get back up like the rest of us and triumph through it all.
From inspiring true stories of determination to jaw-dropping thrillers, these movies showcase well-etched female characters who carry the story with their bare hands and make you believe anything is possible. So, if you’re looking for a world where women stake claim to the spotlight, check out these terrific female-led Bollywood flicks that feature unstoppable women who redefine what it means to be a hero on the big screen.
20
Nil Battey Sannata (2015)
Nil Battey Sannata loosely translates to ‘good for nothing,’ and this heartwarming gem starring Swara Bhaskar tells the inspiring tale of a single mother determined to give her 16-year-old daughter an education she was denied. Apeksha doesn’t find a point in studying because of their living conditions and financial troubles. Deeply concerned about this, Chanda decides to go the extra mile in the most unconventional ways: she enrolls herself in the same class to motivate her reluctant daughter, showing Apeksha what it really means to fight for your dreams. With a turbulent mother-daughter relationship that explores the dynamic against an authentic rural backdrop, this feel-good movie reminds us that education is the most precious gift a parent can give their child.
19
Queen (2013)
An exuberant Kangana Ranaut shines as Rani, a soft-spoken woman whose so-called perfect wedding falls apart because her fiancee dumps her the day before they’re supposed to get married. Her confused and clueless parents try to mend things, but after a day of staying locked up inside her room, Rani decides to take matters into her own hands and embarks on the honeymoon trip to Paris and Amsterdam meant for her and the groom – alone. The movie follows this transformed protagonist as she discovers her independence through all the gleeful experiences that Paris has to offer without a husband by her side, and she realizes that she does not need a man to have the time for her life. Directed by Vikas Bahl, Queen is a bumpy ride that offers misadventures, unforgettable characters, and enough jokes to entertain the whole family.
18
Kahaani (2012)
Bollywood has had a penchant for creating over-the-top thrillers, but sometimes it just so happens that it delivers a tightly plotted thriller with exceptional performances and edge-of-the-seat suspense. Kahaani tells the chilling story of Vidya Bagchi, a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in the bustling city of Kolkata during the city’s annual and auspicious Durga Puja festival. Vidya’s characterization is brought to life by Vidya Balan, and the actress carries the narrative powerfully as new plot twists unravel at every turn. Paired with Sujoy Ghosh’s captivating storytelling, the movie tackles themes of a woman’s resilience and the extremes a mother will go to protect her unborn child. Overall, it crafts a labyrinth filled with red herrings, which somehow come together in a satisfying climax.
17
English Vinglish (2012)
In English Vinglish, Sridevi portrays a loving wife, mother, and homemaker who is embarrassed by her inability to speak English fluently. As Shashi, her life revolves around her husband and children, but their constant mocking of her English skills leaves her feeling inadequate. When she flies to New York to attend her niece’s wedding, alone for the first time, she earns the opportunity to secretly enroll in an English learning course, hoping to give a toast and stun everyone at the wedding. As she masters the language, she gains a sense of independence and begins to see the world and herself in a new light. Filmed with poise and sensitivity, English Vinglish shows how something as simple as learning a language can transform a nervous woman into a confident woman.
16
Mother India (1957)
Set against the backdrop of India’s turbulent and intense post-Independence era, while the nation was still reeling from the aftermath of colonization and preparing for a strong nationalism, Mother India explores the impact of social reforms through the journey of Rada, an impoverished village woman. Forced to raise her sons alone, Radha works hard to build a future for her family through sheer sacrifice and tenacity. But when she’s faced with the schemes of Sukhilala, a greedy moneylender, things get tumultuous. Nargis delivers an astounding performance as the strong yet vulnerable matriarch striving to do her best in difficult circumstances. Mehboob Khan’s direction and her emotional range anchor this melodramatic plot as the film explores independence, duty, and love through the lens of a female protagonist.
15
Raazi (2018)
A riveting spy thriller that recounts the real events during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Raazi follows Sehmat, an Indian woman who is married off to a Pakistani family. Trained as an undercover agent by India’s intelligence agency, RAW, Sehmat is tasked with acquiring and transferring classified information from within Pakistan. Alia Bhatt, the queen of powerful female roles, excels as the young woman going to life-threatening lengths to fulfill her duty to her country. The movie has tight storytelling and visually engrossing cinematography, both delivered by Meghna Gulzar’s sublime direction as this timely tale unfolds between the politics of two nations. Raazi highlights the forgotten sacrifices made by Indian spies, especially the untold stories of courageous women agents who shaped history through their acts of bravery.
14
Piku (2015)
Piku is a beautiful slice-of-life dramedy that explores the complex yet heartwarming relationship between a daughter and her aging father through a road trip from Delhi to Kolkata. Piku is an independent, successful architect played with an enchanting flair by Deepika Padukone. She’s forced to deal with her grouchy and constipated father, Bhaskor Banerjee (brilliantly portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan), when he demands they take a road trip. The confined spaces of the car bring all their issues and underlying eccentricities forward as an unlikely friendship forms between Piku and Rana, the taxi driver played by Irrfan Khan. The movie is packed with sharp wit, warmth, and the joys and frustrations of caring for elderly parents. Besides, as the female lead, Deepika defines womanhood by being opinionated, stubborn, self-assured, yet vulnerable at times.
13
Highway (2014)
In this compelling thriller that deals with trauma, courage, and self-discovery, Veera is kidnapped from a petrol station off a highway while on a trip with her fiance and thrown into the back of a speeding truck. As she confronts her captor and tormentor, the mysterious Mahabir, she comes to jarring realizations about her own unfulfilling life and mental health. Highway is directed by Imtiaz Ali, who creates a vivid and accurate portrayal of contemporary India by placing Alia Bhatt in the role of a stunning, resilient, broken woman shattered by abuse and violence but determined to reclaim her piece. The movie is shot extensively on real highways, and it captures the vibrant colors and turmoil of the country in a way that becomes a metaphor for healing and spiritual growth.
12
Neerja (2016)
Based on the life of Neerja Bhanot, the head purser of Pan Am Flight 73 that was hijacked by terrorists in 1986, this biographical drama focuses on her incredible act of bravery that saved the lives of passengers before she was shot and killed at the age of 22. Sonam Kapoor evokes real empathy as the warm and responsible titular character who, despite her young age, maintains her composure and skilfully negotiates with the terrorists to protect the passengers under her care. The movie does not only detail the horrors of the event and the grief passed on to Neerja’s family but also celebrates her courage and selfless heroism in the face of danger. Overall, Neerja highlights the little-known story of a female hero who went unrecognized.
11
Bandit Queen (1994)
This controversial biographical action-adventure is set amidst the dusty plains of rural India, and it explores the early life of the notorious dacoit Phoolan Devi, who rose from poverty and became an infamous bandit queen. The compelling story, written by Mala Sen and directed by Shekhar Kapur, unfolds through the eyes of Phoolan, and we witness her disturbing childhood, her struggle against oppression, and ultimately her fierce will to survive in a brutal and unforgiving world led by men. Bandit Queen touches upon the questions of morality because Phoolan’s actions were not received kindly, but she emerges as an inti-heroine who commands empathy through her undying spirit in the face of crippling societal norms and adversity. Rich and profound, the movie succeeds in humanizing one of India’s most misunderstood criminal icons.