Bollywood has indeed given us some films which show women in roles that may not exactly be termed as conventional but are extremely powerful. These Bollywood movies are a breath of fresh air and are inspiring at so many levels. Here are a few must-watch Bollywood movies for every girl who’s bold and confident!
1. Pink
The Amitabh Bachchan starrer is a feminist film that talks about ‘sexual consent’ in its utmost detail. Shoojit Sircar’s production, directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowtstdhury, this film has won hearts of women across the country. This is one movie that hits people in the face and forces them to really THINK. A must watch for every girl, and in fact, every guy too.
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2. Angry Indian Goddesses
Starring Sarah-Jane Dias, Rajshri Deshpande, Sandhya Mridul, this film shows female friendship, hardships and coping all in a matter of a few hours. As secrets between friends begin to disclose during all the fun they’re having at an impromptu bachelorette. Watch this gang of friends stick by each other through thick and thin as they battle the society and its vices.
3. Mary Kom
An inspiring tale of a real life story made into a movie, brilliantly portrayed by Priyanka Chopra. This is probably the closest cinematic insight into the life story of India’s legendary female boxer, Mary Kom. The film shows how she defies society, conventions, age and even biological norms that are given to us. This film will inspire you to make the most of your life and get into action!
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4. Kahaani
A woman travels from London to Kolkata in search of her husband and the things she finds out were ones she could never have dreamt of. Excellently directed by Sujoy Ghosh with a plot that has twists to keep you at the edge of your seat. Vidya Balan, the lead, plays detective to solve the mystery of her own life, rightfully taking the limelight doing a kickass job! A lesson in confidence and independence, this!
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5. Mardaani
Mardaani is not just about one woman, it is about every woman and the fact that the only person we can trust with our security is ourselves. Rani Mukherjee plays a female cop who takes on a human trafficking gang, exposing them and rescuing young girls from their talons. The song Mardani Anthem caught so much attention for its lyrics.
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6. Dor
Starring Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag, this is a story about the lives of two women intertwined by fate looking to set free and let go off their baggage. When Zeenat’s (Gul Panag) husband accidently kills a man in Saudi Arabia, she comes to seek forgiveness from his widow. The title of the film signifies the thread, the connection that these two women share, as the underlying metaphor. How their lives change and how the two of them make each other stronger will drive you to break free from something you’ve felt bounded by.
7. Piku
Funny yet very emotional. The character Piku, played by Deepika Padukone, is juggling her professional life and her duty as a daughter towards her father who seems to be obsessed with his bowel movements. This movie is a genius for the way it shows a woman who takes control of her life in every way. The father-daughter relationship shown in the movie is simply adorable!
8. Margarita With A Straw
This film explores the idea that disability is a state of mind. Brilliantly portrayed by Kalki Koechlin, who is a girl with cerebral palsy, travels from India to New York to study and in a happy turn of events finds love, sex, friendship and self-confidence. This movie is the most honest example of the fact that nothing and no one can actually make you feel inferior or undeserving, without your consent.
9. Jai Gangaajal
Priyanka Chopra knows how to play a strong character and this film is no different. We have always admired men in uniform, and Jai Gangaajal is a film where you will see a woman in the uniform taking on social and political challenges head on. Fearless and fair, the character Abha Mathur refuses to let the injustice of the goons prevail, sitting down.
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10. Masaan
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, and Richa Chaddha playing the lead, this movie has been appreciated at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The film begins by showing what happens to an unmarried couple when they decide to take a hotel room. Set in the river city of Varanasi, this film is about exploring your identity, coping with loss and loving without boundaries of caste, creed or religion. As four lives intersect along the Ganges and knit two extremely engaging tales of love, morality, guilt and yearning. It will stir your heart, and might even make you weep.
11. Akira
Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the will and power to face it and fight it. Akira, played by Sonakshi Sinha brilliantly, is about how a college going girl takes it upon herself to prove her innocence. In the course of doing so she takes on four corrupt police officers, single handedly and fights for the truth. And yes, she is the “Hero” of the movie.
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12. Neerja
This film will teach you what responsibility is. Neerja, portrayed by Sonam Kapoor, is a true story about Neerja Bhanot who was a 23 year old flight attendant who boarded the Pan Am flight 73 in 1986 and was killed by a terrorist hijack. This film depicts courage, will power and is an apt portrayal of being fearless. She single handedly saved more than 143 lives because of the way she handled the hijacking situation. Watch this to let your nerves chill.
13. Dum Laga Ke Haisha
The female protagonist, played by Bhumi Pednekar, is overweight, but that does nothing to undermine her confidence and belief of who she’s as a person, and the things that she can do and deserves to have. When she marries Prem, who is initially frustrated with the marriage because he doesn’t like the way she looks and feels inferior to her. The film gets more interesting in the second-half when a race helps the couple bond. It goes on to show the will power and the effect of it on a woman.
