Women’s Day 2023: Over the years, the Bollywood film industry has seen several gems deftly tackling women’s issues, with some engaging in emphatic social commentary through celluloid and others slipping in engrossing concerns about women’s position in society implicitly under the cover of a commercially appealing film. Let us look at 5 wonderful women-centric Bollywood films on International Women’s Day.
5 inspiring female-centric films to celebrate Women’s Day 2023
Mardaani
Mardaani, a 2014 action-thriller starring Rani Mukjeri as policewoman Shivani Shivaji Roy, is a riveting story about Roy’s discovery across human trafficking activities within the Indian mafia while attempting to investigate the case of kidnapped teenage girl Pyaari. The film was well-received critically and commercially, since it was hailed for shattering gender stereotypes and presenting a powerful female police officer leading the film. It was well studied, with meetings made up with the Crime Branch of the Bombay Police. Mukherji’s performance was praised in particular for her ability to play both the gritty police officer and the caring foster mother and family matriarch.
Gangubai Kathiawadi
The Sanjay Leela Bhansali direction, starring Alia Bhatt as the eponymous heroine, is a visual feast for the eyes as it chronicles young Ganga’s meteoric rise from a small-town girl to ‘Gangubai’- a veritable figure of power in Kamathipura, Mumbai while painting an opulent picture of 20th century Mumbai and the lives of sex workers.
English Vinglish
English Vinglish, directed by Gauri Shinde, is a touching and inspirational story. It is about an Indian mother’s journey to regain her selfhood. The film, which stars late veteran actress Sridevi as the Indian housewife Shashi, delves into the difficulties created by linguistic boundaries in personal and social lives, as well as the freedom achieved through education and independence.
Kahaani
Kahaani, starring Vidya Balan as the pregnant Vidya Bagchi on the hunt for her missing husband in Kolkata, is a highly dramatic and poignant story of a woman’s determination and abilities.
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
Janhvi Kapoor plays the eponymous Indian Air Force commander and helicopter pilot in the 2020 biographical drama. The Netflix film was praised as an unexpectedly competent and uplifting biopic. It told the remarkable story of the first female combat pilot in a totally engaging and exhilarating manner.
