We are in an era where the struggle for equal rights is reaching its pinnacle. A prominent form of mass media is also trying to create art where females are highlights for their various roles in life. In recent years, the Indian Cinema has crafted several scripts with valiant, tenacious and insightful female lead characters and displaying them as the central character of the film.
Here is a list of strong-headed female protagonists. Each protagonist is different from the other and conveys a motivational message for all the females aspiring to be independent and be the best versions of themselves.
Koko (Kaira) from Dear Zindagi
A Gauri Shinde film, depicting a young, talented and successful Director of Photography who aspires to create wholesome work. However, she is also fighting her fear of abandonment and other insecurities. Kiara is revealed as a modern woman trying to combat several issues at a time. We see her learn to use her emotions in a more productive and peaceful manner rather than using them in a destructive manner. The movie truly focuses on Koko’s evolution from being anxious about her fears to embracing her situations and past experiences.
Rani Padmavati from Padmaavat
A movie by Sanjay Leela Bhansali which faced complications even before it was released. The character of Padmavati is shown as a queen who through her knowledge, wit, courage, and fighting skills, single-handedly managed to fool the Khiljis. This strong lead role is definitely mesmerizing and successfully leaves the audience awestruck.
Veeres from Veere Di Wedding
This movie crafted four different characters highlighting the fact that all women are different. They have their own coping mechanisms and own priorities. Kalindi, Avni, Sakshi, and Meera are four different personalities.
Kalindi: A sweet yet, a fierce persona who is everybody’s well-wisher, but does not believe in silent suffering. She holds a very stable outlook on matters of importance. In her perspective, her weakness is her ability to trust in the institution of marriage.
Avni: a young bachelorette, who is a divorce lawyer and holds a fresh perspective on gender equality. Ironically, she is exploring her options in men and looking for a suitable husband. She is the backbone for all her friends.
Sakshi: A raunchy character, who is fearless of the social norms and lives life open heartedly and does not let anyone obstruct her path of life. She embodies the true strength of a female.
Meera is a sweet Punjabi girl whose priority is her baby and job. In spite, of being a mother she is not startled to live her life vicariously and does not limit herself according to the social boundaries.
Shashi from English Vinglish
An entrepreneur and a housewife whose passion is to make sweets. She is constantly nagged and disrespected by her husband and children for her lack of English skills. However, determined she attends English classes in New York and ends up meeting people from different cultures who respect her for her abilities and kindness.
Piku Banerjee from Piku
Piku is a hardworking daughter, raised by a feminist father. She provides for the family and even though she loves her father dearly, she easily gets irritated by his tantrums. She is an example for all the females out there who love their fathers and are always there for them as their pillars.
Vidya Bagchi from Kahaani
Vidya is an epitome of “hell hath no fury like a scorned woman”. Vidya pretends to be a pregnant lady who is searching for her lost husband. However, in reality, she is an undercover agent who wishes to avenge the murder of her real husband. This strong character truly highlights what a woman can do for her loved ones.
Rani from Queen
After being left at the altar. Rani decides to go for her honeymoon alone and explore Paris and Amsterdam. Where she meets new people and also learns to let herself free, tries different activities and creates new memories. When her ex-groom tries to win her again she refuses to be a part of his life again. She falls in love with herself and in the journey of discovering herself.
All these characters, in some way or another show different shades of women. These characters are symbolic of who a woman is and what she can be.