International Day of Women in Science: Looking At Female Scientist Characters

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science honours the contribution made by women scientists to the development of modern society. The Day, observed by the United Nations every year on February 11, aims to encourage women's full and equal access to and participation in STEM fields.

There have been many powerful female scientists in India who have revolutionised scientific research and elevated the country to a significant position in the advancement of science worldwide. The media has always paid tribute to such contributors' legacies. In addition, Bollywood has also begun to portray roles for women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Indian women are no longer portrayed in Bollywood as stereotypical housewives, fashion designers, or teachers, they have something more to do. The lead individual could be any individual, including a prominent journalist, a corporate employee, or a scientist.

Here we have compiled a list of such characters.

Female scientist roles in Bollywood:

Mission Mangal

The story is set in Bengaluru at ISRO, where Tara Shinde (Vidya Balan) and Rakesh Dhawan (Akshay Kumar) are the two head project directors. Eka Gandhi (Sonakshi Sinha), an expert in propulsion control, and Kritika Aggarwal (Taapsee Pannu), an expert in navigation, make up the junior scientists' team. The Mars Orbiter Mission is the sole goal of this group of ISRO scientists, who struggle in both their personal and professional lives.

Shankuntala Devi

Known as the "Human Computer," Shakuntala Devi was a writer and mental calculator from India. The  movie Shakuntala Devi, in which Vidya Balan plays Devi, is based on her life story. Sanya Malhotra, who plays Anupama Banerji, the daughter of Devi, narrates the biography from her point of view.

Vidya Balan in Shakuntala Devi

Suggested Reading: International Day of Women And Girls in Science: Celebrating Female Indian Scientists

Hasee Toh Phasee

The female lead, Meeta, who is portrayed by Parineeti Chopra, is an IIT graduate with a PhD in chemical engineering. The movie demonstrates how Meeta decides to pursue a career in STEM. She is a super-intelligent geek with odd tics and habits. A few of Meeta's inventions are shown in the movie, which highlights her impressive career in chemical engineering.

Aiyaary

In the action-thriller Aiyaary, Rakul Preet Singh portrays a significant role. She portrays the cyber-expert Sonia. She is portraying a software engineer who hires freelancers to work for her and runs a business all by herself. She also trains Sidharth Malhotra, the movie's protagonist.

Zero

Anushka Sharma plays cerebrally-palsied NSAR scientist Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder in the movie, which is a fictionalised account of NASA.

PC: IndianExpress