Here are some of Best Bollywood movies on Women Empowerment and Issues. These films showcase the struggles and triumphs of women and their fight for equality and empowerment in a society that often marginalizes them.
Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016)
“Lipstick Under My Burkha” is a Hindi-language Indian film released in 2016. Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and produced by Prakash Jha, the film tells the story of four women who live in a small town in India and face various challenges in their lives due to societal and cultural restrictions.
The film focuses on the lives of four women – a young college student, a beautician, a mother of three, and an elderly widow. Each of these women has a hidden desire that they cannot fulfill due to the restrictions imposed on them by society. The film explores their struggles, their dreams, and their quest for freedom and individuality.
The film received critical acclaim for its bold portrayal of female sexuality and its commentary on patriarchy and gender roles in Indian society. However, it also faced controversy and censorship due to its frank depiction of sexuality and its portrayal of women breaking free from traditional gender roles.
Overall, “Lipstick Under My Burkha” is a powerful and thought-provoking film that challenges traditional notions of femininity and highlights the struggles of women in a patriarchal society.
Pink (2016)
“Pink” is a 2016 Bollywood movie directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and produced by Shoojit Sircar. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Andrea Tariang, Angad Bedi, Tushar Pandey, and Piyush Mishra in prominent roles.
The movie revolves around three young women who are implicated in a crime and their fight to prove their innocence in a court of law. Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of their lawyer who helps them fight against the powerful and influential men who are trying to frame them. The film deals with the issues of women’s rights and gender equality and highlights the prevalence of misogyny and victim blaming in society.
“Pink” received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, tight screenplay, and realistic portrayal of the legal system in India. The film was also a commercial success and went on to win several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.
English Vinglish (2012)
English Vinglish is a Bollywood movie that was released in 2012. The movie was directed by Gauri Shinde and produced by R. Balki. It stars Sridevi in the lead role, with Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou, Priya Anand and others in supporting roles.
The movie tells the story of a homemaker named Shashi, played by Sridevi, who is constantly belittled by her husband and daughter for not being able to speak English. However, things take a turn when she travels to New York City to attend her niece’s wedding and enrolls in an English language course. Through her experiences and interactions with other people in the course, she gains confidence in herself and her abilities.
The movie was critically acclaimed for its sensitive portrayal of the struggles of a homemaker and its focus on female empowerment. It was also praised for Sridevi’s performance, which was considered one of the best of her career. Overall, English Vinglish is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that celebrates the power of self-improvement and self-confidence.
Queen (2013)
“Queen” is a Hindi-language comedy-drama film released in 2013. It was directed by Vikas Bahl and produced by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane.
The film tells the story of a young woman named Rani, played by Kangana Ranaut, who is jilted by her fiancé just before their wedding. Determined to take control of her life and find happiness, Rani decides to go on her pre-booked honeymoon trip to Paris and Amsterdam alone. During her travels, she learns about new cultures, makes new friends, and discovers her own inner strength and self-confidence.
“Queen” received critical acclaim for its fresh and empowering storyline, as well as for Kangana Ranaut’s performance, which earned her numerous awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over ₹1.5 billion worldwide.
Chhapaak (2020)
Chhapaak is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language biographical drama film directed by Meghna Gulzar and produced by Deepika Padukone and Meghna Gulzar in collaboration with Fox Star Studios. The film is based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.
Deepika Padukone plays the lead role of Malti, a young woman whose life is turned upside down when she becomes a victim of an acid attack. The film follows Malti’s journey as she fights for justice and strives to rebuild her life after the traumatic incident.
Chhapaak received positive reviews from critics for its sensitive portrayal of the issue of acid attacks and the emotional depth of the story. However, the film was also embroiled in controversy due to its lead actor’s support for the JNU protests and her decision to visit the JNU campus to express solidarity with the students.
Overall, Chhapaak is a thought-provoking and powerful film that shines a light on an important social issue and inspires viewers to empathize with the plight of acid attack survivors.
Mardaani (2014)
“Mardaani” is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films. The film features Rani Mukerji in the lead role, with Jisshu Sengupta, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Saanand Verma in supporting roles.
The story revolves around Shivani Shivaji Roy (played by Rani Mukerji), a senior inspector of the Mumbai Crime Branch, who takes on a human trafficking racket after a teenage girl is kidnapped from the city. Shivani’s investigation leads her to uncover a vast network of human trafficking and child prostitution, run by a notorious kingpin named Karan Rastogi (played by Tahir Raj Bhasin). The film follows Shivani as she puts her life on the line to bring Karan and his gang to justice.
“Mardaani” was praised for its realistic portrayal of the issue of human trafficking and the strong performance of Rani Mukerji. The film was a commercial success and received several awards and nominations, including the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. A sequel titled “Mardaani 2” was released in 2019, with Rani Mukerji reprising her role as Shivani Shivaji Roy.
Parched (2015)
“Parched” is a 2015 Indian drama film directed by Leena Yadav. The movie explores the lives of women living in a patriarchal society in rural Rajasthan, India.
The film follows the stories of four women: Rani (Tannishtha Chatterjee), Lajjo (Radhika Apte), Bijli (Surveen Chawla), and Janaki (Lehar Khan), who struggle with various societal issues such as domestic violence, child marriage, and patriarchy. Rani is a widow who is ostracized by her community, Lajjo is a victim of domestic violence, Bijli is a prostitute who longs for a better life, and Janaki is a child bride who dreams of freedom.
The film received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by women in rural India. It also won several awards at various international film festivals. The movie was praised for its strong performances, especially by its female cast, and for its powerful message about gender inequality and the need for change.
Dangal (2016)
“Dangal” is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language biographical sports drama film directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and Siddharth Roy Kapur. The film is based on the true story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler who trained his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari to become world-class wrestlers.
The movie stars Aamir Khan as Mahavir Singh Phogat, along with Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, and Suhani Bhatnagar in lead roles. The film received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film ever at the time of its release.
“Dangal” portrays the journey of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters as they overcome societal barriers and personal struggles to achieve their dreams. The film highlights the importance of gender equality and challenges the stereotypes associated with women in sports. The movie also showcases the rigorous training regimen and sacrifices made by the Phogat family to achieve success in the wrestling world.
“Dangal” received several awards and nominations, including four National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. It was also selected as India’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, but it did not make the final shortlist.
There are many other movies which may be considered among Best Bollywood movies on Women Empowerment and Issues.
