Bhumi Pednekar, the lead actress from the film 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha'

Some of the most ground-breaking women-centric characters are exemplified with resilience, strength, passion but mostly their uncompromising spirits. Each of these characters define strength and lead with an example. From walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the male counterparts in the films, their characters are independent, graceful and intimidating – all at the same time.

Bhumi Pednekar plays the character of an ambitious and optimistic 22 year old, Sandhya Verma in the film 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' (2015) who is determined to become a teacher and optimistic to find love. She’s someone who is burdened with weight issues all her life, but confident in her demeanour. Her family marries her off to Prem, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, who doesn’t see her in high regards. In spite of Prem’s rejection, Sandhya makes sincere efforts to make her marriage work. Although when she doesn’t seek either love or respect in her marriage, she walks away with a broken heart but high on self-esteem. Sandhya makes a very relatable character because she’s strong, intelligent, vulnerable and admirable.