Portrayal of Women Characters through YRF Films
Some of the most powerful women-centric characters are exemplified with resilience, strength but mostly their uncompromising spirits. They are all shades of independence and grace.
Sridevi, the lead actress from the film 'Chandni'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
In the film Chandni (1989), Sridevi’s character (Chandni) was happily in love with Rohit (played by Rishi Kapoor) until she was blamed for her partner’s accident. Not bogged down by societal pressure, she gathers all her courage and moves to a different place to start over.
Her determination of shunning down the societal negativity and being independent is commendable. She crosses all the hurdles that come her way and saves herself from the norm of being dependent.
Sridevi, the lead actress from the film 'Lamhe'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
Sridevi's portrayal of an unconventional character as Pooja in the film Lamhe (1991) continues to be nothing less than iconic.
Sridevi and Anil Kapoor, the lead actors from the film 'Lamhe'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
Defying the rules set by society, Pooja falls in love with a much older man – Viren (played by Anil Kapoor). Viren was earlier in love with Pooja’s mother Pallavi at some point, a character also essayed by Sridevi.
Being progressive with her life choices, Pooja follows her heart inspite of societal pressures and without bending her romantic feelings makes a bold move by confessing her love to Viren, setting aside the notion of age difference in love.
Boisterously confident Nisha (played by Karisma Kapoor) in the film Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) is extremely passionate about dance. She’s charming, carefree, funny and has a stellar sense of style. Nisha is unapologetically in love with her best friend Rahul (played by Shah Rukh Khan), who she realises doesn’t reciprocate those feelings.
Nisha is confident and doesn’t let her insecurities get the better of her and instead of being distraught in an unrequited love, her loyalties as a friend don’t waver.
In the classic love legend Veer-Zaara (2004), the two powerful women characters are iconic in their own ways. Rani Mukerji’s character (Saamiya) has a never-give-up attitude which is visible in her determination to fight for justice, being a lawyer.
On the other hand, Preity Zinta’s character (Zaara) lives life on her own terms when everyone is trying to control her decisions. Despite the separation, her unconditional love for Veer (played by Shah Rukh Khan) makes her return to India where she fulfils his dream of running a girl’s school. This beautiful story is based on faith, the power of love, patience and self-determination.
A visually impaired Zooni Ali Beg played by Kajol in the film Fanaa (2006) sets out to discover love and life. On her journey, she falls in love with a Delhi tour guide Rehan Qadri (essayed by Aamir Khan), unaware it could not only change her life but also, destroy her.
Rehan helps her to regain her eyesight, but soon disappears to venture into his dark side. She also raises their son single-handedly. She’s free-spirited and passionate about love but when she has to make the choice between right and love, she chooses the path of righteousness.
The women hockey team from the film 'Chak De India'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
The women hockey team of the sports-drama film Chak De India (2007) is inspiring in more than one way. Coming from diverse backgrounds and different parts across India, these 16 girls stood for self-belief. Each of them overcame their individual struggles to be a part of the Indian hockey team. Their story is a prime example of sheer determination and hard work.
They not only break gender stereotypes individually but also showcase the power of lifting each other up – this teamwork makes them unstoppable!
Madhuri Dixit, the lead actress from the film 'Aaja Nachle'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
Madhuri Dixit essays the role of Dia, a professional dancer and choreographer in the film Aaja Nachle (2007). She comes down from New York where she’s an established dance professional to save her town Shamli and the dance institution from demolition, the place where she’s learnt to live and follow her passion – dance.
Although the people of her town haven’t forgiven her for breaking the societal laws and eloping to New York for love, she does all that it takes to save her dance institution. It’s her indomitable spirit that shines through and helps her achieve the impossible.
Rani Mukerji, the lead actress from the film 'Dil Bole Hadippa'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
A woman who doesn’t take no for an answer - Rani Mukerji’s character (Veera) in the film Dil Bole Hadippa (2009) imbibes that. Her character disguises as a man to play the so-called gentlemen’s game of cricket. She is led by her passion and a leap of faith to break the gender barriers.
She is a perfect example of nothing should ever come in the way of you and your dreams, leave alone not doing it because you are a woman.
Anushka Sharma, the lead actress in a still from the film 'Band Baaja Baaraat'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
Shruti Kakkar, only in her 20’s, played by Anushka Sharma in the film Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) has her goals in life well laid out. She aspires to become a proficient wedding planner. She’s confident, street-smart, focussed and most importantly honest about her work, which is what makes her the best at what she does.
With her impeccable entrepreneurial skills and a go-getter attitude, she goes on to become one of the best name in the wedding planning business.
Parineeti Chopra, the lead actress from the film 'Ishaqzaade'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
From being always told what to do and how to do it by the family and the society, Parineeti Chopra’s character (Zoya) in the film Ishaqzaade (2012) writes her own destiny. With utmost grit and fearlessness, she followed her heart.
Although, hailing from a male dominated society where they take decisions for the women including marriage, Zoya refuses to bend and elopes with the love of her life, Parma (Arjun Kapoor). This makes her feminine power remarkable as she chooses her heart over the society.
In the film Ek Tha Tiger (2012), the first film of the Tiger series and the YRF Spy Universe, Katrina Kaif portrays the character of Zoya, a fierce and determined secret agent, known for her agility and resourcefulness in high-stakes situations. Zoya, characterized by her bravery and careful choice of battles, encounters Tiger, an Indian intelligence agent played by Salman Khan. Despite the conflicts, she falls in love with Tiger and ultimately decides to follow her heart. She reprised her role as Zoya in the sequel of the film Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), where she remains ingenious, brave, and resolute. In this instalment, she played a pivotal role in a mission to rescue a group of nurses kidnapped by a terrorist organization in Iraq. Her relentless determination continued in the third instalment, Tiger 3 (2023), where she continued to fight fire with fire.
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.
Character Aarfa played by Anushka Sharma in the sports-drama film Sultan (2016) continues to be an inspiration to many. Hailing from a small town of Haryana, where women are supposed to only do household work, she broke all gender stereotypes by becoming a female wrestler and represented the country in the sport.
With determination and grit, Aarfa realised her own dream while also supporting her husband Sultan (played by Salman Khan) to become the best wrestler in the world. She rose above all odds like a champion!
Rani Mukerji, the lead actress from the film 'Hichki'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
Naina Mathur, portrayed by Rani Mukerji in the film Hichki (2018), is an aspiring teacher who suffers from Tourette Syndrome. Despite numerous rejections because of her ‘condition’ she holds her head high, spirits higher.
Rani Mukerji, the lead actress and the students of class 9F from the film 'Hichki'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
Naina takes on people with her intellect and lands her dream job as a teacher in one of the most elite schools in the city, where she’s assigned a class of troublesome students. Undeterred and undaunted by this task, she faces this challenge with a smile on her face, strength in her heart. And even in her most vulnerable times, you will be shook by her courage.
Anushka Sharma, the lead actress 'Sui Dhaaga: Made In India'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
Anushka Sharma’s character (Mamta) in the film Sui Dhaaga: Made In India (2018) perfectly juggled between self-empowerment and handling the day-to-day nuances of life.
Anushka Sharma and Varun Dhawan , the lead actors from the film 'Sui Dhaaga: Made In India'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
The story of the film is from a small town in India where she takes the lead in pushing her husband Mauji (played by Varun Dhawan) towards entrepreneurship and plays a significant role in setting up their tailoring business. Her spirit is unbreakable and she makes sure their dreams are turned into reality. Mamta inspired every small town woman to dream big and achieve it.
Rani Mukerji, the lead actress from the film 'Mardaani: 2'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
The woman on a mission, Shivani Shivaji Roy, the character essayed by Rani Mukerji in the film Mardaani 2 (2019) is tough, unforgiving and a fierce protector of good against the evil. She takes on a 21-year-old nasty serial killer who also has a penchant for sexually assaulting young girls and eventually murdering them.
Rani Mukerji, the lead actress from the film 'Mardaani: 2'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
She’s fearless in her portrayal and that’s what makes her so powerful that evil doesn’t stand a remote chance in front of her grit. The empowering Shivani Shivaji Roy takes on gruesome crime with full force and leaves no stone unturned in putting an end to evil.
Deepika Padukone, the lead actress from the film 'Pathaan'Yash Raj Films (YRF)
In the action-blockbuster Pathaan (2023), the 4th instalment of the YRF Spy Universe - a first-of-its-kind cinematic universe of spy thriller films in India, Deepika Padukone takes on the role of an enigmatic agent, Rubai. She executes thrilling action sequences with precision.
Rubai's resilience shines through on numerous occasions and she plays a pivotal role in Pathaan's (played by Shah Rukh Khan) mission to safeguard the nation from a deadly attack. She embodies the archetype of a woman who accomplishes every mission with unwavering determination.
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