Here's every Bollywood female protagonist from 1980-2015. It's depressing

And this. 

And also this. 

We plunged the depths of hell. To find that in 35 years, we've made 125 films with women protagonists. 

That's 3.6 films a year. 

The films we've chosen are those with the female character(s) at the fore. This does not include films in which the male and female protagonist share equal screen time; only films that are the converse of conventional Hero-with-decorative-heroine. For example, Neerja would qualify. PK would not. 

For those who believe there's been a substantial shift this decade, hold your breath. At our very best (2010), we made only 9 female-led films.

That's less 5% of the overall number. 

Here are all those films, by year, plotted on a graph. Ta. Da.

These were our (unscientific) parameters

The requirements:

1) That the films be in Hindi. 

2) That they feature on an IMDb page. 

3) That the plot follows a female character more than any other. 

For a closer look, these are the films, listed by year:

2015: Dolly ki Doli, NH10, Margarita with a Straw, Piku, Calender Girls, Angry Indian Godesses, Kajarya

2014: Highway, Gulaab Gang, Queen, W, Lakshmi, Revolver Rani, Bobby Jasoos, Mary Kom, Mardani, Khoobsurat

2013: Gippi

2012: Jalpari, English Vinglish, Heroine, Kahaani

2011: No One Killed Jessica, 7 Khoon Maaf, Monica, Memories in March, Luv Ka The End, That Girl in Yellow Boots, The Dirty Picture

2010: Mittal v/s Mittal, Rokkk, Toh Baat Pakki, Aisha, We are family, Hello Darling, Hisss, Mallika, Kaalo

2009: - Nothing. Zilch. Prove us wrong please

2008: Fashion, Saas Bahu or Sensex, Meerabai Not Out

2007: Aaja Nachle, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Red Swastik, The Blue Umbrella

2006: Chingaari, Umraao Jaan, Dor 

2005: 7.5 Phere, Naina, Water

2004: Chameli, Ek Hasina Thi

2003: Hawa, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, Matrubhoomu, Samay, Pinjar 

2002: Filhaal, Makdee, Mitr, My Friend

2001: Chandni Bar, Daman, Lajja, Zubeidaa 

2000: Fizaa, Astitva, Gaja Gamini, Kya Kehna, Astitva  

1999: Godmother 

1998: Mehndi 

1997: Mrityudand, Aastha  

1996: Army, Aurat, Aurat, Aurat, Fire

1995: -

1994: Anjam, Bandit Queen, Madam X, Woh Chhokri 

1993: Damini 

1992: Zindagi Ek Jua 

1991: Antarnaad, Haque, Swayam

1990: -

1989: Chaalbaaz

1988: Biwi Ho Toh Aisi, Khoon Bhari Maang, Zakhmi Aurat, Savitri, Kab Tak Chup Rahungi, Sherni 

1987: Daku Hasina, Ijaazat, Mirch Masala 

1986: Angaaray, Insaaf Ki Awaz, Nagina, Aakhir Kyun

1985: Aakhir Kyun, Durgaa, Jhoothi, Khamosh

1984: Abodh, Andhi Gali, Bhavna, Khandar, Lorie, Parama

1983: Chhatpati, Mandi 

1982: Arth, Anokha Bandhan, Aparoopa, Lakshmi, Log Kya Kahenge, Nikaah, Umbartha, Namkeen 

1981: 36 Chowringhee Lane, Chakra, Umrao Jaan, Sameera

1980: Khoobsurat Yes. We've saved at least one film student his doctoral thesis. That student is welcome. 

Disclaimer: We may have missed a few because they're not recorded on IMDB, but it's likely to be a statistically insignificant number. And of course, definition of strong female character can vary. But only if you've never met a strong female character in your life.

Still think we missed a biggie? Let us know in the comments below.

Edited by Payal Puri

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