Pink to Piku: Female protagonists in Bollywood movies unafraid to challenge societal norms

Bollywood movies have earlier represented women in stereotyped ways. They have often been depicted as weak and vulnerable facing the brunt of societal norms with tears in their eyes. But with changing times we have also seen a change in the portrayal of females in Bollywood movies. From being a victim or a martyr today they are a force to be reckoned with. Yes, women in Hindi cinema have come a long way as they graduated from an abala nari(helpless woman) to a woman of strength and substance.

The last ten years of Hindi cinema has seen a change and we see the actresses getting meatier roles. In the present times, we have seen movies blooming with ideas of feminism. Some movies have celebrated the success of sports stars while some narrated the courage of a queen. But one thing has become clear that today the experimental roles and characters are written for women. We see that the portrayal of females in Bollywood movies has changed for the better.

The present female protagonists in Hindi cinema not only raise their voices against injustice but also fight for their dignity and justice. Here we bring some memorable films that deviated from the norm and depicted strong women characters which left a mark on society and became an inspiration to many. As Woman’s Day is just around the corner here are some memorable female protagonists of popular Bollywood films who have revived their inner power and given some hardcore competition to their male counterparts.

7 memorable movies that portrayed the strength of women perfectly:

Sridevi in English Vinglish

 

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Late actress Sridevi brought to life the character of a common housewife Shashi Godbole. She wonderfully depicted how the housewife, who is a brilliant homemaker is made fun of by her family because she cannot speak English. How the woman turns the tide and becomes fluent in the language on her trip overseas. But she never forgets her roots. The movie also sent out a message that the choice of language cannot be the benchmark to judge anyone’s personality. Sridevi carried the entire film on her shoulder and proved to the filmmakers that notable movies with a good storyline do not need a Hero to succeed at the box office.

Priyanka Chopra in Mary Kom

 

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The movie a biopic was based on the life of Indian boxer Mary Kom who won international fame. Priyanka Chopra beautifully brought to life the real-life character onscreen. The story was all about a woman entering the world of boxing a male-dominated bastion and the hardships she underwent to make a name for herself in the game. How she made a comeback post marriage and birth of her children to continue her successful journey. The story is an inspiration to many young girls who dream of making it big in sports like wrestling, boxing and many more.

Deepika Padukone in Piku

 

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Piku challenged the belief that sons should be the primary caregivers of their parents. Deepika Padukone as the only daughter of an eccentric old father played by megastar Amitabh Bachchan brought a change in the mindset of many that an unmarried daughter is a burden. She showed us that daughters, and specifically unmarried women, can do everything a son can, for their parents.

Vidya Balan in Kahaani

 

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Vidya Balan as the main protagonist in Kahaani went on to win accolades for her performance. The story of the edge of the seat drama was filled with many unexpected twists and turns. The brilliant script and the phenomenal job done by the actors keep you hooked till the end. With this Sujoy Ghosh film, Vidya completely changed how a pregnant woman is perceived in India. Instead of being fragile as perceived by the male-dominated society, her character was strong, smart, and extremely determined. It brought about a change in the portrayal of females in Bollywood movies

Alia Bhatt in Gully Boy

 

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Alia Bhatt as Safeena defied her family’s expectations of her by refusing to get married. She also does not hesitate to raise her voice and stands strong amid the male-dominated story. She was seen focussing on her medical career and gave out a message to many youngsters bending under family pressure that it is totally worth fighting for what you want in life.

Kangana Ranaut in Queen

 

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It is the story of a young girl Rani played by Kangana Ranaut whose heart breaks when her fiance breaks up with her days before their marriage. How she picks herself up and stands proud achieving all that she dreamt of. This meek as a mouse girl whose only dream in life was to get married. She transforms into a woman of substance is all set to take control of her life. It taught the women of our country that when your man breaks up with you it does not mean the end of your dreams. In fact, you are liberated and your life starts right there!

Anushka Sharma in NH10

 

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NH10 was a brave movie backed by stellar performance. It dealt with a serious issue of honour killing. It is all about Meera played by Anushka Sharma who showed how strong a woman can be in times of adversity. They are valiant enough to take revenge if the need be. No one had ever thought that a staggering ferocity can be presented through a woman’s character. But Anushka did it with elan and won appreciation galore.

Taapsee Pannu in Pink

 

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The megastar of the millennium came forward to make a whole nation understand “No means No”. The Taapsee Pannu starrer is all about the rights of women in this male-dominated society. It also gave women the strength to defy men who love to humiliate them through physical and mental abuse. Taapsee Pannu garnered huge appreciation for her role in the film

We also have a Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya that dealt with another aspect of women dreaming high and dowry system; Mom dealt with the courage of a mother. Rani Mukerji’s portrayal of a fierce cop in Mardaani perfectly showcases the true strength of a woman. The Dangal girls gave a message that girls can achieve great heights of success if they get the support of their families.

Also Read: Jawaani Jaaneman to Piku: Bollywood movies that capture the essence of being a Single father