Woman Power: Anushka Sharma, Taapsee Pannu, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Raveena Tandon, Akshara and more strike on 5 back to back Fridays

By Joginder Tuteja -

April 1, 2017 - 10:51 AM IST

This has never (read again - never) happened in the history of Bollywood. Though there are times when a flurry of female centric films hit the screens, the record has been for three, four or may be five films in a span of a couple of months. However, never before has as many as eight female centric films released in quick succession, and that too in a span of just five weeks. This is happening now though and one can only be amazed by the power that the leading ladies in these films are expected to be unleash.

Woman Power: Anushka Sharma, Taapsee Pannu, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Raveena Tandon, Akshara and more strike on 5 back to back Fridays

Anushka Sharma - Phillauri - March 24 (Released)
The film has released where Anushka Sharma plays the twin role of a producer and an actor. The film has taken a decent opening for itself and is actually doing better than Anushka's own NH10. Meanwhile, she has broken the stereotype of a 'bhatakti aatma' and has actually managed to play a friendly ghost in a light hearted manner. From Sultan and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to Phillauri, it has been a smooth transition.

Swara Bhaskar - Anaarkali of Arrah - March 24 (Released)
Swara has been experimenting with different roles and avoiding being typecast, which is a good thing. From Nil Battey Sannaata to Anaarkali of Arrah, she makes a seamless transition from being a single mother to a small town performer in an unabashed manner. The film succeeds in walking a thin line where it had to plug in entertainment with a realistic feel while ensuring that there was no vulgarity on display despite a subject that could have crossed that boundary.

Taapsee Pannu - Naam Shabana - March 31 (Released)
From Pink to Naam Shabana, Taapsee is indeed making some smart choices where she is playing a woman of substance. She made a good impression in Baby and now that her past story is being revealed in the film's prequel, all eyes are on Taapsee to check out what she has to offer, both as an actor as well as someone who can kick butt. The film features Akshay Kumar in a cameo but is basically an out and out Taapsee Pannu show.

Aditi Inamdar - Poorna - March 31 (Released)
For actor-director Rahul Bose, it was indeed a task no less to get a young actress for his film Poorna where the girl could practically climb mountains while also act well in front of the camera. He got that in the form of young Aditi Inamdar who makes her big screen debut with Poorna. The film is meant to be an inspiring affair as it tells the story of a real life character Poorna Malavath who reached the peak of Mount Everest at an age of just 13.

Akshara Haasan - Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laddoo Deewana – April 7
17 years back, Preity Zinta had played the part of an unwed mother in Kundan Shah's Kya Kehna where she had Saif Ali Khan for company. Now in 2017, Akshara Haasan too is playing a pregnant bride, a theme which has seldom been explored in Bollywood. Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laddoo Deewana, which also stars Vivaan Shah and Gurmeet Choudhary as the leading men, has Akshara as the central protagonist. The young actress returns to the big screen two years after Shamitabh.

Vidya Balan - Begum Jaan – April 14
Just a few months back she was seen in Kahaani 2. In the Sujoy Ghosh directed affair, Vidya Balan played a timid woman who turned fierce when pushed to the corner. However in her upcoming release Begum Jaan, Vidya is pretty much playing on the front foot right from the beginning, what with fiery dialogues, powerful performance and strong persona expected to dominate the proceedings. Bhatts are returning with a big screen affair after a hiatus and Vidya is expected to strike again in a big way with Begum Jaan.

Sonakshi Sinha - Noor – April 21
'Mera weight mere Twitter followers se zyaada hai' - If someone indeed has the capacity to laugh at herself in Bollywood, it is Sonakshi Sinha. Going all out for the character of a fumbling young journalist who is living a life as imperfect as it can get, Sonakshi is bringing her comic side to the fore with Noor. Last year she spoke with blows and kicks in Akira and now with Noor, she is making her pen do all the talking. Expect Noor to emerge as a turnaround film for Sonakshi Sinha.

Raveena Tandon - Maatr – April 21
The last time she was seen in a notable role for a Bollywood film, it was Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap. As a woman who was heads over heel in love with the character played by Amitabh Bachchan, she did well in a guest appearance. Things are turning serious for her though in Maatr where she is playing a rape victim who goes on to take revenge for the assault on her and her daughter. Expect another hard hitting act from Raveena Tandon after Madhur Bhandarkar's Satta.