Watched Gangubai Kathiawadi? Here are 5 Women-Led Biopics In Bollywood

Women-led biopics in Bollywood films have showcased the stories of the strong and brave ladies of the country leading from the front and setting an example for every girl out there to spread out her wings and fly as high as she can.

There have been many women in history that have always set an example for society by not following the so-called 'ideal' norms of being a lady. They broke stereotypes, shackles and years of discrimination and stood for themselves and for the generations to come. Indian cinema has celebrated the lives of such fearless tigresses in some of the most acclaimed movies of all time. These women-led biopics in Bollywood showed the life, struggles and fight of the ladies that emerged as a representation of the great power that the half population holds.

5 Women-Led Biopics In Bollywood That Will Surely Inspire You

Gangubai Kathiawadi

This Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie, starring the phenomenal Alia Bhatt, is the biopic of brothel madam Gangubai Harjivandas. Gangubai was from Kathiawad and aspired to become an actor in Hindi cinema. At the age of 16, she ran away from home with her lover and came to Mumbai but he sold her to a brothel for only Rs. 500. Devastated Gangu had no choice but to accept her reality but she decided to do it fearlessly. The movie, based on S. Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges' book Mafia Queens Of Mumbai, showed her journey from a simple girl to a powerful brothel owner and her fight for her rights, equality and respect.

Thalaivii

Thalaivii is the biopic of the great South actor and politician J. Jayalalithaa essayed by actor Kangan Ranaut. Popularly known as 'Amma' by her followers she was worshipped in the South for being a great politician. The movie showed her inspiring journey of entering movies and then politics and becoming the leader of Tamil Nadu's popular political party AIADMK. Despite numerous people trying to bring her down, she kept her head high, fought against discrimination, humiliation and for the rights and benefits of the people. She emerged as the leader of the political party and with her endless efforts and struggles, became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, serving the people for 14 years straight.

Kangana Ranaut in Thalaivii.

Saina

This movie stars Parineeti Chopra essaying the role of ace Indian badminton player Saina Nehwal. Saina holds 24 international titles to her name and in 2015, she became the first ever Indian female badminton player to become World's No. 1. The movie features her journey from Hisar and her struggles to reach the top. The movie shows her highs and lows, her family's struggles, support and encouragement that kept her going until she became the world's best. Sania's story is one of the many stories of inspiring female sportspeople in Indian history that have made the country proud.

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

The movie is based on the inspiring story of the Gunjan Saxena, the female Indian Air Force pilot who served in the Kargil War of 1999. The movie stars Janhvi Kapoor as Gunjan, showing her journey of becoming one of the few female pilots in the Indian Air Force. Gunjan was from a military family as both, her father and her brother, were Lieutenant Colonels. Completing her bachelors in Physics from Delhi, she aimed for IAF for a pilots role. She fought against the stereotypes of the society that did not expect women to join forces and became an important part of the Kargil War where she served injured people, helped transporting supplies and led surveillance work.

Janhavi Kapoor and Pankaj Tripathi in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

Chhapaak

Chhapaak is the story of Laxmi Agarwal, the brave acid attack survivor and also the story of all the acid attack survivors in the world who face similar discrimination and humiliation for a crime they did not commit. The movie stars Deepika Padukone in lead role who tells the journey of Laxmi through various judgement and suppression of the society as she fought against her wrong doers. She survived the trauma and pain of the attack and decided to fight for herself and for every girl who is like a trophy for some narrow minded men. She fought a tough legal battle to punish her wrong doers and to ban the sale of acid freely in the market.

Suggested Readings :-

Men Don't Hate Women. They Only Hate Women Who Break The Rules