The power women

by | March 7, 2015, 18:46 IST

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The power women
Actresses today are not just known for their good looks and charm and how well they pair with a leading man. There is a significant space for women-oriented films and powerful and impactful roles for women. And there are some women who are responsible for this good change. These actresses have paved the way for female actors to get more substantial roles in films. With their talent, daring film choices and strong portrayals that win them both critical and commercial success, these five women have carved a niche for themselves and are easily a force to reckon with. This Women’s Day, we bring you our list of actresses whose body of work has inspired us and many others over time.

Vidya


Vidya Balan

She has always been noted for her performances that set her apart. Whether it was the role of a girl affected with multiple sclerosis in Guru, a widow with an agenda in Ishqiya or as Sabrina Lall fighting for justice for her sister in No One Killed Jessica, Vidya is the real deal. From holding her own and making a brilliant debut in Parineeta, to taking up characters and roles that make women shine (Kahaani, Paa and The Dirty Picture), Vidya has helped turn the tide and shown that a woman can be so much more than a damsel in distress. Add to that, her films have met with both critical acclaim and commercial success.

Konkona


Konkona Sen Sharma

She arrived on the scene with the widely acclaimed film, Mr and Mrs Iyer. Ever since, Konkona has been known for her unconventional film choices and has always taken challenging and diverse roles. She has done off-beat roles like the schizophrenic Meethi in 15 Park Avenue and the daring journalist Madhavi in Page 3 as well as mainstream roles with a difference. Don't we all the remember the adorable and insightful Indu bhabhi in Omkara and the budding writer Aisha in Wake Up Sid? She brings her own unique touch to every role and stands out with memorable performances.

Shabana



Shabana Azmi

From making her foray into cinema with Ankur in the '70s, to continuing her streak of great films with Arth and Sparsh in the '80s, Fire and Godmother in the '90s and with many more powerhouse roles to her name since, Shabana Azmi has been more than instrumental in building and growing a space for powerful roles for women in the Hindi film industry. With many national and international awards and recognitions to her credit, her career continues to grow leaps and bounds. Unafraid to experiment with her on-screen portrayals, she has essayed a variety of roles. Whether as a witch in Vishal Bharadwaj’s Makdee, a singer in Morning Raga or even the conniving politician in Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola, she never fails to impress and inspire with her performances. More power to her!

Tabu



Tabu

An actress who has not only shown her prowess in the Hindi films but also in Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali and English films, Tabu has always garnered appreciation for her on-screen portrayals. When it comes to picking films with strong subjects and important roles for women, Tabu has explored a wide spectrum of roles. From a bar dancer in Chandni Bar to a 34-year old woman in love with a 64-year old man in Cheeni Kum, she nails every role. She is just as impactful as a wife who commits adultery in Astitva as she is in Haider. A two-time national award winner, Tabu is an actress who shows no signs of stopping.

Smita


Smita Patil

A woman whose career shone in an age of men, Smita Patil was an actress who redefined womanhood and feminism through her roles and films. Within a short span of 8 years, Smita rose to being a top actress in Hindi cinema and is respected and remembered for her sheer talent and intensity even to this day. With films like Arth, Mirch Masala, Manthan and Bhumika, which won her a National Award when she was just 21 years old, Smita became a force to reckon with.