Bollywood actresses have come a long way since being just eye - candies or arm candies to the heroes, and today, a number of films are being written keeping them in mind and with them in the lead.
2017 saw several movies where the sole responsibility of the film rested on the lead actress' shoulders as they played some powerful characters.
Tumhari Sulu -
Vidya Balan, who has been one of the pioneers in the recent revolution of women - centric films by delivering hits like 'The Dirty Picture', 'Kahaani' broke her lean run at the box office with this film.
Naam Shabana -
From a bit role in 'Baby' to getting a spin - off based solely on her, the film was achievement enough for feminism. Taapsee Pannu's transformation from a girl - next - door to crossing paths with spies and higher authorities and rubbing shoulders with criminals was intense.
Mom -
The much - awaited comeback film of Sridevi also revolved around a similar plot as 'Maatr', but that's where the similarity ends. Her calm and composed approach as she strategically accomplishes her mission in this revenge saga made audiences cheer for her. Critics lavished praises on Sridevi.
Haseena Parkar -
Shraddha Kapoor stepped into the shoes of the controversial character Haseena Parkar, sister of dreaded gangster Dawood Ibrahim in this one. The rise of Haseena as a lady don of Dongri, as she loses her close ones while facing the ghost of her brother's past was definitely one of the strongest roles in this year.
Another powerhouse female lead came from Kangana Ranaut in Vishal Bhardwaj's Rangoon and Hansal Mehta's Simran. Playing a fiery, whip - yielding Bollywood action star in Rangoon and a doughty bank robber in Simran, Ranaut gave both the characters a steely sweetness and a disarming vulnerability.
And of course last, but not the least Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavat, scheduled for December 1, 2017. It's the story of honour, valour and obsession.
Reference: Deccan Chronicle