FROM BHUMIKA TO LIPSTICK UNDER MY BURKHA, THESE 15 BOLD WOMAN ORIENTED HINDI FILMS HAVE BROUGHT ACROSS THE TRANSFORMATION IN OUR COUNTRY

For several 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 - Jyothi Venkatesh

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, and 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 Smita Patil to Vidya Balan, from Bhumika to Lipstick Under My Burkha, the women in Hindi cinema have been pivotal in bringing across the transformation the country has been through. There are yet some more films that show women as the heroes.

1) Bhumika (1977)

The film depicts the life of an actress, who starts working as a child artiste going on to become a successful actress played by Smita Patil, who later gives it all up and becomes a recluse.Astitva (2000)

2) Astitva (2000)

Astitva, directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, uncovers the male chauvinist culture of the Indian society and sets out to unveil issues like extramarital affairs and spousal abuse prevalent in the 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.

3) Bandit Queen (1994)

The movie is a biography based on an Indian dacoit, Phoolan Devi’s life and portrayed by Seema Biswas who was sent to prison in 1983. She was prosecuted by the Indian police and turned into a legend by the people.

It’s the story of a woman who fights all the mayhem done to her by the men, from the police to the goons.

Ultimately she overpowers them all and comes to the fore as a strong woman. Shekhar Kapoor directed the film based on the biography, India's Bandit Queen: The True Story of Phoolan Devi by Mala Sen.

4) 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.

5) Queen (2014)

Queen is a beautiful story of a young girl Rani played by Kangana Ranaut. It’s heart-breaking 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 for herself and to go on a honeymoon all alone.

During her travels, she meets new friends, discovers the world and life and comes back as a changed person, ready to take control of her life.

6) 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.

7) 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 a mother of two Kom continues her successful journey against all odds.

8) Arth (1982)

Shabana Azmi plays a wife betrayed and ditched by her husband for another woman, an actress played by Smita Patil. The film directed by Mahesh Bhatt shows how the woman then takes charge of her life and happiness and turns into an independent woman.

9) Damini (1993)

Damini played by Meenakshi Sheshadri is a tale of a fight for truth by a woman who is married into a wealthy family. Damini fights her brother-in-law whom she catches physically abusing her maid. However, the family opposes her and she has to leave the house. She is helped by an ex-advocate to gain justice.

10) Lajja (2001)

Lajja is a hard-hitting film that highlights the wrongs done by the Indian society towards the women. Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala and Mahima Chaudhary portray impressive characters that are troubled by the society some way or the other.

11) 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, he 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.

12) Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017)

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

13) 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.

14) 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.

15) Mrityudand (1997)

The film depicts the story of a village belle, Ketki's confrontations with oppression and male domination.

Madhuri Dixit plays the bold woman who fights for the rights of her own and also other women in society. She also avenges her husband’s death.