This March, the world is celebrating the women of history, and how can we be left behind to celebrate women of Indian history, especially after their notable resilience and revolution in a tightly cultured society like India? These women are a testament to the force that has inspired people through generations.
With cinema being a gigantic influence on our culture, the power of cinema has resonated with people as it celebrates women of different layers of our country from a dacoit, mathematician, to an actor. The common thread in the stories of these women is their fight for a stance, and these films have depicted their stories with justness. Here are our top picks of such films:
5 Indian Films To Watch This Women’s History Month:
Bandit Queen:
Bandit Queen is a 1994 biographical film based on the life of Phoolan Devi, an Indian bandit who became a folk hero. The film depicts her rise from a low-caste childhood marked by poverty, violence, rape and abuse to her leadership of a gang of outlaws. The movie explores themes of caste violence, social injustice, and the resilience of women from unprivileged sections of society. It was critically acclaimed but also controversial for its graphic violence and sexual content.
Shakuntala Devi:
The biographical film Shakuntala Devi explores the life of the real-life mathematical genius Shakuntala Devi. The story starts with a strained relationship between Shakuntala Devi and her daughter Anupama Banerjee, who sues her mother. The film follows Shakuntala's journey as she becomes a world-famous mathematician known as "The Human Computer." We see her struggles and triumphs, including finding love and building a family. But most importantly, the movie delves into the complicated relationship between Shakuntala Devi and her daughter.
The Dirty Picture:
The Dirty Picture is a 2011 Indian film inspired by the life of Silk Smitha, a South Indian actress known for her sensational dance numbers and bold onscreen persona. The movie follows an aspiring actress, Reshma, who becomes Silk and navigates the dark side of fame while battling for success in the ruthless film industry while opening the path of many women in her era to explore sexuality on screens.