In Indian culture, a woman has been portrayed in myriad hues. She is a daughter, a sister, a wife, a daughter-in-law, and above all a mother. Very rare, she is a woman who is allowed to be what she really is. Where she can have agency over her body, mind, and thoughts.
Women have been at the center stage of story-telling in Bollywood. As J. Jayalalithaa, herself a woman of substance had famously said in movies, women are an essential commodity.
Let’s have a look at some of the famous movies which today are known for their female protagonists as we celebrate International Women’s Day. Women-centric movies are not the same as the ones portraying strong women characters.
1) Mother India (YouTube)
Hardly anyone will believe today that ‘Mother India’ is a remake of ‘Aurat’ by the same filmmaker. In the original version made in 1940, Mehboob Khan cast his wife as Radha, the poor wife who has to shoulder the responsibilities of the entire family after her husband runs away. However, in the new version made in 1957, Nargis immortalised Radha to the extent that today ask any heroine about her dream role and pat comes the reply, “Mother India.”
Nargis portrayed the inner strength of the ‘aam aurat’ for whom her family, and children are everything. Her character arc was that of a newly-wed bride to an old woman who now can barely see how her hard work has fructified profusely.
Moreover, Raadha was not any ordinary mother or housewife, she was a woman of principles who famously says, “Mein beta de sakti hoon, laaj nahi de sakti” (I can sacrifice my son, but not my honour) before killing Sunil Dutt playing her son in the movie. A mother killing her son who has deviated from the path of righteousness is pathbreaking.
Even decades later ‘Mother India’ remains one of the best portrayals of a strong Indian woman who conforms to all social and cultural norms and yet manages to emerge triumphant.
2) Pakeezah (Prime Video, YoutTube)
The swan song of the only tragedienne our country has witnessed so far, Meena Kumari, is a chapter written with style and substance. The making of this magnum opus by Kamal Amrohi, Meena Kumari’s husband, in itself can inspire a movie. The movie was always seen by Amrohi as a tribute to the acting prowess of Meena Kumari. However, en route duo fell apart and the story of Nargis and Sahibjaan lay in cans gathering dust. Thanks to persuasion by Sunil Dutt and Nargis, the movie was revived.
However, by that time, Meena Kumari’s health had deteriorated significantly and many portions were shot using body double. But knowing what the movie meant for Amrohi, she carried along and completed his dream project charging Re 1 as a token sum. Despite larger-than-life sets and an outstanding musical score, the movie was not well received by the audiences. But as fate would have it, Meena Kumari passed away and her fans thronged cinemas to watch the “pure” woman behind a high-profile courtesan.
3) Guide (YouTube)
Had it not been played by Waheeda Rahman, Rosie in ‘Guide’ could have been considered as a vamp in 1965. She does not come from an honorable background, is married, loves to dance, and still wants to pursue her career. To top it off, she falls in love with another man. In the 60s these traits were certainly not as acceptable as they are today. It requires a lot of courage and vision to play Rosie and the veteran actress pulled it off with aplomb. The movie was made in English as well with a screenplay by none other than Pearl S. Buck. It is one of the earlier movies in Hindi in which a woman wants to pursue her dreams in her personal and professional life. Adorned with some memorable songs no wonder the movie today is considered as a classic.
4) Mandi (YouTube, Prime Video)
‘Mandi’ by Shyam Benegal is one of the few movies which deglamourises the brothel and its occupants. It was something that we would have called ‘OTT material’ today. It was a realistic take on the hard lives of women in the flesh trade. Based on a short story, the movie was a genuine attempt to humanize the women selling their bodies and see them as people and not a commodity. They too face the same emotions and problems as everyone else. Performances by Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil in the 1983 classic are the icing on the cake.
5) Dirty Picture (Disney+ Hotstar)
Who would have thought that the story of Silk Smitha, a dancer from movies, could make such an interesting watch? She is not an actress in the traditional sense but has worked as hard to achieve all that she has in her life. Vidya Balan in her career-best performance portrayed a Silk who is unabashedly unapologetic about using her body to climb the ladder yet is as vulnerable as any other woman. A bold character and sassy performance by any standards won Vidya both critical and commercial success.
6) English Vinglish (Prime Video)
Sridevi was always known for her looks and acting. But in ‘English Vinglish’ she has outdone herself. Only she could have played the always taken-for-granted mother in the house who showers love on everybody but at the same is ridiculed and mocked for not knowing English. One must help oneself when the family becomes judgmental is the message her character gives. She does not hate anyone in her family but ups her game to be with them. Shashi Godbole would eternally live in the audience’s hearts just as Sridevi does.
7) Raazi (Prime Video)
A spy and that too a woman. This fatal combination came alive in the cinematic adaptation of ‘Calling Sehmat’ by Harinder Sikka. At the heart of this espionage drama was a stellar performance by Alia Bhatt. It is one of the rare movies which talks about and extols the role of women in nation-building and security challenges. Just like any other stream, here too their contribution has stayed unnoticed for years together. Thanks to Meghna Gulzar now we know at least one such story.
8) Gangubai (Netflix)
Another gem by Alia Bhatt is ‘Gangubai’, the story of a young girl pushed into prostitution. Displaying a rare sense of sorority, Gangubai makes peace with her condition and goes on to fight for her colleagues. She refuses to take the insults, the biases, and neglect by society lying down. For her, prostitution is a profession and deserves as much respect as any other profession in this world. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this biopic of Gangubai Kothewali advocates the rights of those in the flesh trade.
