With ‘Chhapaak’, ‘Panga’, ‘Shakuntala Devi’ lined up, 2020 looks promising for women-centric films

The year 2019 was great for Bollywood as we saw both massy entertainers as well as content-driven films taking the centre stage. With our filmmakers churning praiseworthy content, they were also laughing all the way to the bank.

When there is a peaceful co-existence between content-driven films as well as mass entertainers, it’s a win-win situation for both the audience as well as the makers.

In 2019, we have also witnessed how women-centric films have experienced a paradigm shift with acclaimed films like ‘Judgementall Hai Kya’, ‘Saand Ki Aankh’, and ‘Mardaani 2’. In fact, in the year 2020, we have some of the most exciting female-led films lined up.

Let’s take a look at all the awe-inspiring as well as the highly-anticipated women-centric films to look forward to in the coming year.

‘Chhapaak’

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Meghna Gulzar is one of those rare filmmakers who know how to perfectly marry a good story with a great storytelling technique. She just never disappoints with her choice of subject and that’s one of the several reasons why I admire her so much. With ‘Chhapaak’, Meghna will be presenting a story of trauma and triumph, as her film is based on the life of an acid-attack survivor. With Deepika Padukone, (an epitome of beauty) playing the lead in ‘Chhapaak’, Meghna has already caught everyone’s attention. After ‘Talvar’ and ‘Raazi’, my excitement about Meghna’s upcoming film has already hit the roof. Also, it’s not every day in Bollywood that a film based on a woman is made and presented by a woman.

‘Panga’

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Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is another gem of a filmmaker that we are blessed with. After ‘Nil Battey Sannata and ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’, she is back with yet another heart-warming and inspiring story in the form of her next flick, ‘Panga’. Starring Kangana Ranaut in the lead, the film tells the story of a mother who desires to fulfil her most cherished dreams amidst fulfilling her domestic duties. The film also stars some of the other terrific actresses such as Neena Gupta and Richa Chadha. This one is definitely going to be a treat for the audience.

‘Shakuntala Devi’

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I am not sure about you guys but whenever Vidya Balan announces any of her films, I am the happiest. She is hands down one of the most courageous actresses we have in Bollywood. In this Anu Menon directorial we will see Vidya playing Shakuntala Devi a mental calculator who was known as the ‘human computer’. This film will surely make for an interesting watch.

‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a maverick filmmaker and there’s no doubt about it. In 2020, he will be stepping out of his comfort zone and attempting to present a story which not all of us are aware of. Bhansali will be directing ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ and the film will see Alia Bhatt playing the lead role. Reportedly the film is based on a chapter of Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai about Gangubai Kathiawadi, a brothel owner and matriarch.

‘Gunjan Saxena’

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Starring Janhvi Kapoor in the titular role, ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’ is based on the life of Gunjan Saxena, who is one of the first female pilots to fly in combat. She rescued soldiers during the Kargil War in 1999 and was honoured with the Shaurya Vir award for displaying courage and grit during the war. The film also stars Pankaj Tripathi and Angad Bedi in a pivotal role.

‘Thappad’

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After ‘Pink’ and ‘Saand Ki Aankh’, we will se Taapsee Pannu in yet another gripping women-centric film ‘Thappad’. Reportedly, the film will present the dynamics of a man-woman relationship from a woman’s point of view. The combination of Anubhav and Taapsee has already got me excited for this

‘Thalaivi’ & ‘Dhaakad’

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Kangana Ranaut is on roll. Next year she is having not one but three films hitting the marquee. After ‘Panga’ she will be seen in the trilingual biographical film ‘Thalaivi’ helmed by AL Vijay. The film is based on the life of the late politician and the ex-CM of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa. Post that, we will see Kangana in a fiery and feisty avatar in the action film ‘Dhaakad’.

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Other women-led films that will be releasing next year are Parineeti Chopra’s ‘The Girl on the Train’, Richa Chadha’s ‘Shakeela’ and Konkona Sen Sharma & Bhumi Pednekar starrer ‘Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare’.

Also Read: 2019 Wrap Up: The year that kept Bollywood cash registers ringing all through

Pooja Sharma

Cinephile. Bibliophile. Pluviophile. Selenophile. Autophile. Aesthete. Blood group- Tea positive. Poetry lover. Sucker of rom-coms.

PS: Sharmaji ki Ladki sucks at writing bios.
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