2023 Wrap Up: 5 Female-Centric Movies You Might Have Missed

Female-Centric Bollywood Movies You Might Have Missed

1.       Neeyat

Neeyat is a Bollywood mystery headed by Vidya Balan. It showcases a female detective who is not only powerful in her skills but also in her ability to defy gender norms. How often have you heard of female detectives? In the world of Sherlock Holmes, Balan’s character in Neeyat gives us new light in the mystery genre. It is refreshing to watch a woman dig a hole through a mystery and find the solution. 

2.       Chhatriwali

Starring Rakul Preet Singh, Chatriwali is also a refreshing movie with a great lesson. It teaches about the importance of sex education in schools. It also talks about how a woman can be the leader behind changes in society and family. Singh's character gives many women hope to spearhead social movements without any fear of being outcast by family or society.

3.       Kathal

Another refreshing female-centric movie with a comic tone, Kathal shows that women are great cops too. Starring Sanya Malhotra in the lead as a brilliant cop who is very responsible towards her duties, the movie talks about caste issues too. Caste issues are serious issues that need to be addressed in our society. Therefore, the movie Kathal kills two birds with one stone- caste issues and gender issues within the administrative services of our country. 

4.       Mrs Undercover

Starring Radhika Apte in the lead role as a homemaker who is also an undercover agent, the film is a good take on defying patriarchy by literally murdering women. In the film, Apte plays the role of an undercover agent who fights a serial killer who picks out and kills ambitious women. Apte not only recreates the gender of an undercover agent but also gives new hope to housewives to regenerate their talents and follow their passion.

5.       Tarla

Tarla is a biopic of the late chef and writer Tarla Dalal. It shows Huma Quereshi in the role of Tarla Dalal. As Dalal, Quereshi battles the social stigma of women not being able to have a career after marriage. The film defies the social norm that nothing can be done without kitchen skills. Although Dalal had to leave her education for marriage, she didn’t let go of her determination to be someone in the future. Using her cooking skills, she garners a lot of appreciation and success. Apart from this, the movie also throws light on the challenges that career women face and how they can be overcome with familial support.

The list is only exhaustive. There are still more female-centric movies in 2023 that you must watch to refresh your take on gender norms. The year has not ended yet, so hurry up and switch on your TVs.

Views expressed are the author's own.