NDTV

Bollywood's famous on-screen women

With Bollywood shifting focus on women protagonists with its two soon to release movies, We Are Family and Aisha, we bring you a list of the most powerful roles portrayed by women on the silver screen.

  • Bollywood is slowly but steadily shifting focus on on women protagonists. We bring you a list of the most powerful roles portrayed by women on the silver screen.
    Bollywood is slowly but steadily shifting focus on on women protagonists. We bring you a list of the most powerful roles portrayed by women on the silver screen.
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  • Kajol and Kareena Kapoor will be seen in Karan Johar's family drama <i>We Are Family</i>.
    Kajol and Kareena Kapoor will be seen in Karan Johar's family drama We Are Family.
  • Sonam Kapoor plays the role of a match-maker in her home production <i>Aisha</i>.
    Sonam Kapoor plays the role of a match-maker in her home production Aisha.
  • Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in <i>Provoked</i> and <i>Umrao Jaan</i>.
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Provoked and Umrao Jaan.
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  • Rekha in <i>Umrao Jaan</i> and <i>Khoon Bhari Maang</i>.
    Rekha in Umrao Jaan and Khoon Bhari Maang.
  • Sridevi in <i>Chandni</i>, <i>Chalbaaz</i> and <i>Lamhe</i>.
    Sridevi in Chandni, Chalbaaz and Lamhe.
  • Madhuri Dixit in <i>Mrityudand</i>.
    Madhuri Dixit in Mrityudand.
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  • Hema Malini in <i>Sita Aur Gita</i>.
    Hema Malini in Sita Aur Gita.
  • Rani in <i>Black</i>.
    Rani in Black.
  • Vidya Balan in her debut film <i>Parineeta</i>.
    Vidya Balan in her debut film Parineeta.
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  • Kareena Kapoor in <i>Chameli</i>.
    Kareena Kapoor in Chameli.
  • Urmila Matondkar in <i>Pinjar</i> and <i>Ek Hasina Thi</i>.
    Urmila Matondkar in Pinjar and Ek Hasina Thi.
  • Smita Patil in <i>Mirch Masala</i>.
    Smita Patil in Mirch Masala.
  • Sharmila Tagore in <i>Amar Prem</i> and <i>Aradhana</i>.
    Sharmila Tagore in Amar Prem and Aradhana.
  • Waheeda Rehman in <i>Guide</i>.
    Waheeda Rehman in Guide.
  • Karisma Kapoor in <i>Zubeidaa</i>.
    Karisma Kapoor in Zubeidaa.
  • Preity Zinta in <i>Videsh</i>.
    Preity Zinta in Videsh.
  • Neha Dhupia in the new <i>Julie</i>.
    Neha Dhupia in the new Julie.
  • Shilpa Shetty in <i>Phir Milenge</i>.
    Shilpa Shetty in Phir Milenge.
  • Sushmita Sen in <i>Chingari</i>.
    Sushmita Sen in Chingari.
  • Aishwarya Rai as Paro in <i>Devdas</i> (2002).
    Aishwarya Rai as Paro in Devdas (2002).
  • Madhoo in <i>Roja</i>.
    Madhoo in Roja.
  • Geeta Bali in <i>Jaal</i>.
    Geeta Bali in Jaal.
  • Jaya Bachchan in <i>Mili</i>.
    Jaya Bachchan in Mili.
  • Lakshmi in <i>Julie</i>.
    Lakshmi in Julie.
  • Meena Kumari in <i>Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam</i>.
    Meena Kumari in Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam.
  • Nargis in <i>Mother India</i>.
    Nargis in Mother India.
  • Shabana Azmi in <i>Godmother</i>.
    Shabana Azmi in Godmother.
  • Suchitra Sen as Paro in <i>Devdas</i> (1955).
    Suchitra Sen as Paro in Devdas (1955).
  • Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag in <i>Dor</i>.
    Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag in Dor.
  • Deepa Sahi in <i>Maya Memsaab</i>.
    Deepa Sahi in Maya Memsaab.
  • Dimple Kapadia in <i>Rudali</i>.
    Dimple Kapadia in Rudali.
  • Manisha Koirala in <i>Agni Sakshi</i>.
    Manisha Koirala in Agni Sakshi.
  • Nutan in <i>Seema</i>, <i>Sujata, Bandini</i>.
    Nutan in Seema, Sujata, Bandini.
  • Raveena Tandon in <i>Satta</i> and <i>Daman</i>.
    Raveena Tandon in Satta and Daman.
  • Tabu in <i>Astitva</i> and <i>Chandni Bar</i>.
    Tabu in Astitva and Chandni Bar.
  • Meenaskhi Sheshadri in <i>Damini</i>.
    Meenaskhi Sheshadri in Damini.
  • Tulip Joshi in <i>Matrubhoomi</i>.
    Tulip Joshi in Matrubhoomi.