From kareena kapoor khanTabu, and kriti sanon Teaming up in a crew, like for newbies Nitanshi Goyal And Pratibha Ranta Shining bright in Missing Ladies , the female actors are proving they can carry a film just as well as, or better than, their male counterparts. Alia Bhatt‘s Zigra, and Alpha and Kangana RanautAfter ‘Emergency’, there is a growing expectation for more powerful, female-centric stories. This shift towards female-led stories reflects a growing appetite for complex female characters and stories that go beyond traditional Bollywood stereotypes.
The rise of women-centric stories
For decades, Hindi cinema has primarily portrayed women as the girlfriend, the supporting character or the damsel in distress. While there were exceptions like Mother India or Earth or Bandini or Sujata, women in mainstream films were often relegated to secondary roles. However, in recent years, there have been conscious efforts to make films that revolve around women. The trend came back into vogue for a while with Vidya Balan as she consistently delivered strong performances in Kahaani, Ishqiya, The Dirty Picture, Paa, No One Killed Jessica, etc.
The much-hyped film The Crew, starring Kareena, Tabu and Kriti, is a perfect example of this shift. With a story focusing on the careers and personal lives of three women, the film explores themes of friendship, ambition and resilience. Audiences are no longer satisfied with seeing women on the sidelines – they want stories that celebrate their strengths, vulnerabilities and complexities. Kareena’s latest film The Buckingham Murders also features her in the lead role and the film is steady at the box office.
Trade expert Taran Adarsh says, “There have always been films with women in the lead roles and I am not just talking about Mother India or Bandini or even Mughal-e-Azam would have been incomplete without Anarkali, but in between we stopped making them. In the 70s and 80s when action took over, everything was left behind and actresses were used only for glamour and songs, but apart from that they were used sparingly.”
He said, “It’s not that we haven’t made women-centric films recently, but this year there have been many instances where we had women leading the film and they did well at the box office. But after a point, it doesn’t matter if it’s a hero or heroine oriented film, the story should connect, so we should have women leading actresses, women directors, women writers and in every department and in any case women bring a new perspective to a lot of things. My favourite film of the year is Missing Ladies, in fact I was telling the makers that they should release the film again in theatres. The film not only had actresses leading but it was also directed by a woman director Kiran Rao.”
Similarly, the film ‘Laapata Ladies’ starring Nitanshi Goyal and Pratibha Ranta brings women to the fore in a unique and interesting storyline. Kiran RaoThe film offers a fresh perspective on the small-town struggles of its lead characters. The inclusion of newcomers in key roles is a sign of the industry’s growing openness to diverse female talent, with the focus being more on character-driven stories rather than star power.
Expansion of genres for female-led roles
One of the most exciting developments in this trend is the expansion of genres for female-led films. While dramas and romances have long featured women in central roles, action, thrillers and socially driven films are now featuring more female protagonists.
Yami Gautam’s Article 370 is based on sensitive political issues, with Gautam playing a strong, fearless lead role. Her portrayal signals the growing acceptance of women as central characters in stories that are not limited to romance or family drama. Similarly, Taapsee PannuThe return of the Haseen Dillruba franchise in ‘Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba’ brings a unique blend of suspense and romance, showcasing women in complex roles that demand more from the audience than just looking pretty on screen.
Sharvari Wagh’s action-packed role in Veda reflects how Bollywood is increasingly willing to allow women to play physically demanding roles, previously dominated by male actors. Wagh’s portrayal of a woman in a high-stakes, intense scenario reflects a growing willingness among female actors to break out of the traditional mould and take on challenging, unconventional roles. Sharvari is also set to share screen space with Alia Bhatt in Aditya Chopra’s spy universe film Alpha.
Upcoming Movies: The Power of Women-Led Stories
The future of Bollywood looks particularly promising for women. With films like Alia Bhatt’s Zirgra and Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency releasing soon, both are highly anticipated for their strong female leads. One of Bollywood’s most versatile actresses, Bhatt has always chosen films that showcase her versatility, be it Raazi or Darlings or Gangubai Kathiawadi, and the same is expected from Zirgra. Ranaut’s Emergency, which she also directs, features her in the impressive role of the former Prime Minister of India. Indira GandhiThis is a biopic which will not only shed light on political history but will also underline the power of women in positions of power.
Other films like Sobhita Dhulipala’s Love Sitaara and Anjini Dhawan’s Binny & Family offer different perspectives on female protagonists, which is a step towards diverse storytelling. While Dhulipala’s film focuses on modern love and relationships, Dhawan’s debut film hopes to explore family bonds and challenges from a fresh, female perspective. This growing diversity of themes highlights how Bollywood is slowly shedding its traditional barriers and embracing a wider spectrum of narratives for its female stars.
Changing perceptions towards female stars
This shift also reflects how female stars are now considered bankable leads, a significant change from the era when male stars were seen as the sole crowd pullers. Films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, where Bhatt carried the entire film on her shoulders, epitomises this change. Similarly, Kangana Ranaut has consistently delivered powerful performances in women-centric films, and Emergency is expected to add another feather to her achievements. Tisca Chopra who has been a part of films for over two decades and has seen a change in the portrayal of women says, “Honestly, there needs to be more depth in writing female characters. The moment a woman is written as the mother of a child, she becomes a ‘Devi Maa’
As more women write, this will definitely change. Victimhood, shame and guilt are so deeply ingrained in the Indian female character. To be honest, I feel suffocated playing such characters. I have worked very hard not to play or write such characters, whether they are mothers or not, because I feel they are one-sided and do not help create new stories.”
Industry support for women-led projects
Behind the scenes too, the industry is giving more support to female-led projects. Female directors like Meghna Gulzar, Zoya AkhtarAnd Kiran Rao is backing stories that put women at the forefront. Producers are also increasingly willing to invest in female-led films, acknowledging the market demand for films that appeal to both men and women, take Karan Johar who recently backed a female-led web show Call Me Bae with Ananya Panday and produced by Ishita Moitra. And writer Kanika Dhillon is now turning producer with Do Patti with Kriti Sanon and Kajol. This support is crucial in ensuring that these films are not only made, but also marketed and promoted with the same gusto as male-driven blockbusters.
Conclusion: A promising future for women in Bollywood
As more and more female actors take centre stage, Bollywood is finally moving towards a more balanced, inclusive industry. The growing trend of female-led films is not just a passing phase but a reflection of the changing tastes of audiences and filmmakers’ desire to explore diverse, powerful stories.
With upcoming films like Jigra, Emergency, Love Sitaara and Binny & Family, as well as the continued success of established female stars in the action, thriller and drama genres, it’s clear that women in Hindi cinema are no longer confined to the sidelines. They’re driving the narrative forward, one powerful performance at a time. This shift is not only exciting, but also a sign of a more progressive, dynamic future for Bollywood.
