Women’s Empowerment in Bollywood
Women’s empowerment has been tackled in Bollywood Movies. These women’s empowerment Bollywood films have not only entertained audiences but have also been instrumental in changing societal attitudes toward women.
One of the earliest Bollywood movies to tackle the subject of women’s empowerment was Mother India. Released in 1957, the movie tells the story of a single mother who struggles to raise her two sons in the face of poverty and social oppression. The movie was a commercial success and was also India’s official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Another Bollywood movie that dealt with the subject of women’s empowerment was Bandit Queen. Released in 1994, the movie was based on the life of Phoolan Devi, a woman who rose to become a powerful bandit in rural India after being raped and abused by upper-caste men. The movie was controversial for its explicit depiction of violence and sexual abuse, but it was also critically acclaimed and won several awards.
Queen released in 2014 deals with women’s empowerment in a more nuanced and subtle way. The movie tells the story of Rani, a young woman from Delhi who goes on her honeymoon alone after her fiancé cancels the wedding at the last minute. The movie is a coming-of-age story that shows how Rani learns to be independent and confident while traveling alone.
Lipstick Under My Burkha released in 2017, tells the story of four women from different backgrounds who are all struggling to assert their independence in a patriarchal society. The movie was controversial for its depiction of female sexuality and was initially banned by the Central Board of Film Certification.
One of the most recent Bollywood movies to tackle the subject of women empowerment is Chhapaak. Released in 2020, the movie tells the true story of Laxmi Agarwal, a woman who was attacked with acid in 2005 and went on to become a campaigner against acid attacks. The movie was praised for its sensitive portrayal of the issue of acid attacks and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of such violence.
Bollywood has also produced movies that have tackled the subject of gender inequality in a more indirect way. One such movie is Dangal. Released in 2016, the movie tells the true story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler who trained his daughters to become wrestlers in a society where sports were traditionally seen as a male domain.
Here is a list of my favorite women’s empowerment films from Bollywood.
Astitva (2000)
The movie tells the story of a housewife named Aditi who discovers her own identity and sense of self-worth after her husband accuses her of infidelity. The movie challenges the traditional notions of patriarchy and gender roles.
Bandit Queen (1994)
This action movie was based on the life of Phoolan Devi, a woman who rose to become a powerful bandit in rural India after being raped and abused by upper-caste men. The movie was controversial for its explicit depiction of violence and sexual abuse, but it was also critically acclaimed and won several awards.
Chhapaak (2020)
The film depicts the true story of an acid attack survivor and her fight for justice.
Dor (2006)
Dor details the story of two women from different parts of India who come together to overcome their struggles. The movie shows how they empower each other and find strength in their friendship.
Dangal (2016)
A fascinating true story of a father who trains his two daughters to become world-class wrestlers. The movie challenges the traditional gender roles and shows how the daughters defy societal norms and achieve success in a male-dominated sport.
English Vinglish (2012)
The movie portrays the story of a housewife who feels left out and inferior because she does not know how to speak English. The movie depicts her journey of self-discovery and empowerment as she learns to speak English and gains confidence in herself.
Fashion (2008)
The movie characterizes the story of a small-town girl who rises to become a successful model in the fashion industry. The movie depicts her struggles and the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Gulaab Gang (2014)
The film illustrates a group of women who fight against gender-based violence and corruption in a rural Indian village.
Khoon Bhari Maang (1988)
Khoon Bhari Maang is a revenge thriller about a woman who transforms herself after being betrayed by her husband and seeks revenge.
Lajja (2001)
Lajja represents the story of four women from different parts of India who are struggling against societal oppression and patriarchy. The movie depicts their struggles and the triumph of the human spirit.
Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016)
The film explores the secret lives and desires of four women in a small town in India.
Mardaani (2014)
The film is sketches a tough female police officer who sets out to rescue a teenage girl from a sex trafficking ring.
Mary Kom (2014)
A biopic based on the life of the famous Indian boxer Mary Kom.
Mother India (1957)
A classic that tells the story of a single mother named Radha who struggles to raise her two sons in the face of poverty and social oppression. The movie is a powerful portrayal of the resilience and strength of a woman who defies societal norms and takes charge of her life.
Neerja (2016)
The true story of Neerja Bhanot, a flight attendant who saved the lives of passengers during a terrorist hijacking is done brilliantly.
No One Killed Jessica (2011)
The film unfolds the true story of Jessica Lal, a model who was shot dead at a party, and the subsequent fight for justice by her sister and a journalist.
Pad Man (2018)
Pad Man is based on the real-life story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social activist who invented the low-cost sanitary pad-making machine to provide sanitary hygiene to rural women.
Panga (2020)
Panga is a sports drama film that follows the life of a former national-level kabaddi player, Jaya, who decides to make a comeback into the sport after marriage and motherhood.
Parched (2015)
The film portrays the lives of women in a rural Indian village and their struggles with patriarchy, gender violence, and social norms.
Piku (2015)
The movie tells the story of a young woman named Piku who takes care of her aging father. The movie challenges traditional gender roles and depicts the bond between a father and daughter.
Pink (2016)
The film deals with the issue of consent and the societal bias against women who speak up against sexual harassment.
Queen (2014)
The film follows the journey of a young woman from Delhi who goes on her honeymoon alone after her fiancé cancels the wedding at the last minute. The movie is a coming-of-age story that shows how Rani learns to be independent and confident while traveling alone.
Raazi (2018)
Raazi is a story of a young Kashmiri girl, Sehmat, who gets married to a Pakistani army officer to spy for India during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Secret Superstar (2017)
The film tells the story of a young girl who dreams of becoming a singer and finds support from her mother and mentor.
Shakuntala Devi (2020)
Shakuntala Devi is a biographical film that portrays the life of the renowned Indian mathematician and author, Shakuntala Devi.
Saina (2021)
Directed by Amole Gupte, Saina is a biographical sports drama film that showcases the life of Indian badminton player, Saina Nehwal.
Thappad (2020)
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, Thappad is a drama film that depicts the story of a woman, Amrita, who files for divorce after her husband slaps her at a party.
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