Meri kahaani, Teri zubaani

Thirty years ago, Smita Patil brought flamboyant Marathi actress Hansa Wadkar to life on screen with Bhumika. The film won much acclaim for Smita who played a woman in search of her identity. Much more recently, Vidya Balan acted in The Dirty Picture, loosely based on Silk Smitha that showed her determination to live life on her own terms.
Vidya Balan is now all set to essay Suchitra Sen, a talented actress who became reclusive in the later years of her life. Kangana Ranaut, who played the complex Parveen Babi in Woh Lamhe is gearing up to step into tragedy queen Meena Kumari's shoes in a biopic. Their lives are as interesting and glamorous as the films they made. With audiences ready to lap up the untold stories, filmmakers are now cashing in on it. Here's a list of yesteryear actresses who had memorable careers and fascinating lives. Alongside, we've listed this generation's actresses who can play them in a film.

Anushka Sharma as Nutan
One of the most beautiful and the finest actors of her time, Nutan was a force to reckon with. Her choice of films was unconventional - Bandini, Sujata, Saraswatichandra and Saudagar to name a few -- and she shone in each one.
Anushka has still a long way to go, but she has already proved her acting chops. She is sought-after by all the Bolly directors from Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap to Rajkumar Hirani and is known for her eclectic choice of films. Anushka has been doing strong performance-oriented roles. What's more, she can be lively and vivacious, quiet and sombre just like Nutan. Anushka easily wins our vote to play Nutan on screen.

Kajol as Smita Patil
Dusky with sharp features and expressive eyes, both Smita Patil and Kajol are earthy beauties with a compelling presence on screen. Smita's first film Charandas Chor did not make a big noise, but the actress was acclaimed for her performance. Kajol's first film Udhaar Ki Zindagi too was a box-office failure, but the light-eyed actress had scored in a big way with the audiences and filmmakers. Smita went on to do several path breaking films like Bhumika, Manthan, Mandi, Arth and Mirch Masala. Her death left behind a huge void in the cinema space which is yet to be filled. Kajol with her small frame and incredible acting talent comes closest to Smita. She will be able to bring out the pathos and glory of being Smita on screen.

Madhuri Dixit as Madhubala
The Venus of the silver screen, Madhubala was known for her ethereal beauty and naughty quotient. She was a huge hit with the audiences in films like Half Ticket, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi and Kaala Bazaar. She was equally good at playing the love-lorn, tragic heroine - who can forget the iconic Mughal-E-Azam?The diva's life was cut short when she died due to a heart ailment. The only heroine who can do justice to Madhubala is Madhuri. Both have a million-dollar smile that can light up the screen. Madhuri even sported the wavy, bouncy hairstyle akin to Madhubala. In fact, when the Dhak Dhak girl entered the industry, several comparisons were drawn with the yesteryear beauty.

Parineeti Chopra as Geeta Bali
Known for her impish charm and sweet smile, Geeta Bali was one of those actresses who found a neat balance between light frothy roles and serious ones. Whether it was Baawre Nain, in which she plays a woman betrayed by her lover or Jaal that had an aura of mystery around her, or the musical Albela which had her dancing with Bhagwan Dada, Geeta's roles are etched in memory.
If there's one heroine who can fit into her shoes, it's Parineeti Chopra. She has the same impishness and a smile that melts butter. She is as petite and pleasant as Geeta and will be an apt choice to play the vivacious actress.

Tabu as Nargis
Tall, beautiful, actress par excellence with an enviable list of films. Nargis and Tabu could be different sides of a coin. If Nargis had a Mother India that was an epitome of strength and sacrifice, Tabu has an Astitva that spoke of a woman's determination to live life on her own terms. Whether it was a frothy romance, a tragic love story or an arthouse film, both Nargis and Tabu have stood out in each of them. Onscreen and offscreen, Nargis led a trailblazing life. Hailed as the one of the best actresses to adorn the silver screen, it would be lovely to see a film on the actress. Who better than Tabu to bring her to life!

Priyanka Chopra as Fearless Nadia
The original action queen of Indian cinema, Mary Evans Nadia, popular as Fearless Nadia is best remembered for her film Hunterwali. In all her films be it Desh Deepak, or Noor-e-Yaman, Nadia was hailed for her stunts. If there's one actress among the contemporary heroines who can be the Hunterwali, it's jungli billi Priyanka Chopra. From learning gatka (a Sikh form of martial arts) for Drona to flexing her muscles in Don to training to be a boxer in Mary Kom, our desi girl has done it all. Perfect for Nadia, no?