International Women’s Day! Piku, Bandit Queen, Raazi – 7 powerful female characters of Bollywood

‘A strong-minded woman is a different animal,’ said Meryl Streep. And time and again, the women working in the film industry have proved what one can achieve with hard work, persistence, and caliber. Indian cinema has come a long way from not allowing women to act in films to now, women getting appreciation all over the globe for what they bring to the table. Specifically, Hindi cinema has been a highly male-dominated milieu. While our film industry is still majorly run by men, a few rays of hope have emerged in the form of female-led films that have given us some inspiring women characters to root for. We salute all the actresses, directors and most importantly, the writers for writing and creating characters that aren’t damsels in distress but saviors who know how to protect themselves. Today, we at Cine Blitz, celebrate Women’s Day and revisit the female characters that were not just strong and fiery, but have inspired a generation of women to live lives on their own terms.

Phoolan Devi aka Bandit Queen (Bandit Queen):

Yes, she was a bandit, a dacoit and some may even brand her as a criminal. But what led her to become a rebel was far more brutal that one could ever imagine. The film showed one of the boldest avatars of women ever portrayed on the celluloid. Though you are not supposed to be inspired by a bandit, the film taught every woman that if you decide to step up and claim what’s yours, no one can pull you down.

Shivani Shivaji Roy (Mardaani):

First of all, let’s take a moment and appreciate Rani Mukherjee for playing strong parts right from her very first film and not just being a dainty wallflower. Shivani was a cop that every police department needs to have. She stood against the evil and busted a horrible human-trafficking racket. Shivani will always be etched in our minds as a synonym for bravery.

Piku (Piku):

Piku is all of us but on the big screen. Regardless of gender, many of us could see ourselves in the way Deepika Padukone played Piku. Her father lived in his own world and Piku accepted it and being a part of it so that he doesn’t feel alone. In a quiet, unassuming way, Piku showed us that she was the head of the family. She made her baba the centre of her world and shaped her life accordingly. Yes, she had flaws. But are we even humans if we have no flaws. Piku is one of the most humane characters to have ever depicted in Hindi cinema.

Sehmat (Raazi):

Watan ke aage kuch nahi, khud bhi nahi.
She put her life, her family and everything at stake for the sake of our nation. Sehmat had to make numerous sacrifices at each step and she did that for the love for her country. Her marriage was a part of a covert mission, but she never complained. She saw her husband die in front of her but she was helpless, as duty comes first. How can a lady, who saved our navy men from a deadly attack, not be our inspiration? Sehmat will always have a special place in our hearts.

Abha Mathur (Jai Gangaajal):

Abha Mathur was everything that a male super cop has been in Hindi films over the years. It was refreshing to see a female role written with the same swagger and style reserved for a male star. Breaking the stereotype of a male cop stuck in a corrupt village set up, Abha turned the table around and showed us that there is nothing she can’t do that a guy can do. Coming from the director Prakash Jha, known for creating gritty heroes, we are happy that he sketched an equally heroic part for a woman as well.

Begum Jaan (Begum Jaan):

It wasn’t just the division of India into two countries but it was also her house that was being divided. Though Begum Jaan was the head of a brothel, she was voicing the sentiments of a huge population of people and what they felt when their lives were suddenly devastated during the partition. Begum Jaan and her girls walking into the fire and not dying in the hands of enemies was a victory in itself.

Aisha Sangha (Dil Dhadakne Do):

What problems do rich people have? Who can stop a rich woman from doing anything she wants? PATRIARCHY. When Aisha told her in-laws and parents that she is unhappy in her marriage and wants divorce, their reply was baccha paida karlo, thik ho jaega. But kudos to Aisha for not becoming another victim of patriarchy. She freed herself from the metaphorical cage that society had put her in. Aisha, you win girl!
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