From item-song choreography to one-dimensional characters, movie industries re-enforce the worst gender stereotypes. But on the other hand, some movies just really get it right. Here are the 11 best movies from Bollywood that show some real but bad-ass women who destroyed the stereotypical perception of Bollywood.
1. Bhajrangi Bhaijaan
At the moment, Shahida has both Pakistan and India abuzz. Through her character’s innocense, humor and charm, Harshaali Malhotra, has captivated audiences across both Pakistan and India teaching us that love has no boundaries.
2. Mother India
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Nargis plays a wife, mother, and provider for the family by slaving hard to pay off loans despite repeated tragedies and setbacks.
3. Queen
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A straight-edge girl gets dumped on her wedding day, uses her honeymoon tickets to Europe to seek out her ex- fiance but instead makes new friends and gains a whole new perspective on life and love.
4. Bobby Jasoos
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Vidya Balan charms as Bilquees or “Bobby”, has one dream in life, to be a private detective. She is goofy, honest, and passionate about her work and protecting those in her community.
5. Lajja
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Madhuri Dixit plays Janki, puts her life on line for her lover who abandons their relationship because of social conventions. She questions his motives in a climatic speech in the middle of a performance.
6. Dil Chata Hai.
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Tara, played by the graceful Dimple Kapadia, is an elder divorced woman who is socially outcasted. Her ex-husband is a monster who didn’t let their daughter meet her, leaving her isolated from her family and society itself.
7. Raincoat
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Aishwariya as Neeru, a tragic beauty who lives in despair and poverty yet manages to convey the image to her old lover that she lives a flourishing life.
8. Pk
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Anushka Sharma as Jaggu, a journalist who is spirited and fearless in her passion to seek out answers.
9. Chameli
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Kareena Kapoor completely transforms herself into a street-side prostitute, who is full of snappy one-liners, charm and wit. Chameli shows an honest view of life as a sex-worker.
10. No One Killed Jessica
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Rani Mukherjee as Meera, a brave journalist who never backs down from a fight, ready to throw out curse words manages to creat social awareness and justic for the murder of Jessica Lal.
11. Kahaani
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Vidya Balan plays Vidya Bagchi, a superagent who avenges her husband’s death in the most unconvential disguise, fights assasins and other big criminals in the streets of Calcutta.