Women’s Day Special! Actresses Who’ve Anchored Women-Centric Narratives in Films
On International Women’s Day, here is a look at Bollywood actresses who have led strong women centric narratives and shaped impactful stories on screen.
Hindi cinema is no longer a male-dominated space, because our headstrong ladies are leading from the front. Actresses are ditching glamour and are embracing the many shades of cinema, from national choices, thrillers, slice-of-life pieces, horror, mystery and many more! And what better than the occasion of Women’s Day to celebrate the female forces of Indian cinema!
Deepika Padukone - Piku
Deepika Padukone played the titular protagonist in Piku. As a strong-willed woman balancing her professional commitments and caring for her hypochondriac father, Deepika not only explored the complex but emotional relationship with her father but also laid emphasis on an independent daughter’s challenging journey.
Alia Bhatt - Raazi
In Raazi, Alia Bhatt stepped into the shoes of a young Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family. As Sehmat, Alia brought a fine balance of vulnerability and strength towards serving her country. The actress did not rely on loud patriotism; instead, she stood out for depicting patriotism through emotional sacrifice.
Triptii Dimri - Bulbbul & Qala
Triptii Dimri attached new meaning to the heroine of today by making fine choices like Bulbbul and Qala, landmark projects in her filmography. In Bulbbul, she played the titular character, supernaturally helping women in her village fight injustice. In Qala, she depicted the contrasting feelings between success and the conflicts of the past.
Yami Gautam - HAQ
In 2025, Yami Gautam shouldered HAQ, a film that follows a woman’s legal battle for maintenance rights after being abandoned and divorced by her husband via triple talaq. As a protagonist, Yami shows Shazia’s personal struggles and how it evolves into a national debate on faith and women’s rights.
Fatima Sana Shaikh - Dhak Dhak
Fatima Sana Shaikh, known for her off-beat screen choices, surprised audiences by ditching the glam with Dhak Dhak and portraying a headstrong woman who embarks on a road trip of a lifetime to the highest mountain pass in the world in Ladakh. With this, Fatima added a striking tangent to her filmography and earned applause for pulling off a bold, female-centric narrative.
Pratibha Ranta - Laapataa Ladies & Accused
Laapataa Ladies, Pratibha Ranta's finest creation so far! The actress brought resilience and strength in showcasing a small-town woman willing to walk the path of ambition and not let marriage bind her. Pratibha is also basking in the success of her latest OTT release, Accused, wherein she steps into the shoes of a lesbian and navigates the dynamics of a queer relationship.
Kriti Sanon - Do Patti
Kriti Sanon anchored a bold narrative with Do Patti, a thriller mystery that revolves around themes of patriarchy, domestic abuse and generational trauma. As a successful actress who continues her quest to explore, Kriti Sanon served a must-watch with Do Patti and delivered a performance that continues to be one of her finest.
This Women's Day, let's celebrate the female forces of Indian cinema who continue to raise the bar by creating cinematic spaces of their own and shattering conventional boundaries one film at a time.