Bollywood is THE definition of diversity, showcasing various genres every year. Here are my personal favorite films. In India, society plays an undesirable role in every child’s life, especially in girls. These films challenge society’s constant judgments and focus on defying stereotypes – they feature strong female leads in a society that is unfair to women.

1. Queen (2013)

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Haydon, Rajkummar Rao

Director: Vikas Bahl

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Awards: At the 60th Filmfare Awards ceremony, Queen won 6 awards: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Background Score, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

“Queen” follows Rani Mehra (Kangana Ranaut), a young woman from Delhi whose world is turned upside down when her partner calls off their wedding just a day before the ceremony. Rani is heartbroken and confused. But, she decides to go on her honeymoon to Paris alone. The film beautifully captures her transformation from an innocent girl to a confident woman.

During her trip to Paris, she meets Vijaylakshmi (Lisa Haydon), a free-spirited woman, and discovers a new perspective on life. Since the movie takes place in Paris the majority of the time, the music is usually a blend of traditional and contemporary pop influences. The soundtrack is very versatile with a range of musical styles. “Queen” highlights themes of women empowerment and breaking societal stereotypes.

2. Thappad (2020)

Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Maya Sarao, Pavail Gulati

Director: Anubhav Sinha

IMDb rating: 7/10

Awards: Thappad won 7 awards at the Film Fare Awards in 2021 for the Best Film, Best Story, Best Actress, Best Male Playback Singer, Best Editing, Best Background Score and Best Sound Design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBw\_Eta0HDM

“Thappad” literally translates to “slap” in Hindi. The film revolves around Amrita (Taapsee Pannu), a devoted housewife whose perfect marriage falls apart when her husband Vikram slaps her at a party. This incident forces Amrita to reconsider her whole life and the sacrifices she has made for her happy marriage. Her family members tell her that it’s just a slap and it’s not a big deal. But, Amrita knew that she had to do something about it. The film fiercely addresses the normalization of domestic violence.

Amrita’s decision to leave Vikram and seek a divorce is a courageous stand for her self-respect. The movie’s choice of music is very subtle and minimalistic. The music doesn’t take centre stage here and this perfectly lines up with the movie’s discussion of serious subject matter. The music allows the seriousness, emotions, feelings, and dialogues to take over the audience. There is no over-dramatisation as normally observed in many Bollywood movies. “Thappad” is a captivating narrative about women’s rights.

3. Mimi (2021)

Cast: Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi

Director: Laxman Utekar

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Awards: Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi won the Best Actress and best supporting actor in the 69th National Film Awards and the 67th Filmfare Awards for Mimi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_sc3HyeNxPs

“Mimi” tells the story of Mimi Rathode (Kriti Sanon), an aspiring actress from a small town in Rajasthan who agrees to become a surrogate mother for an American couple in exchange for a sum of money. The situation takes a drastic turn when the couple decides to abandon the baby, leaving Mimi to deal with the consequences alone. The film delves into the emotional complexities of surrogacy and motherhood.

With the support of her friend Bhanu (Pankaj Tripathi), Mimi navigates the challenges of pregnancy. The film’s music is evidence of A.R. Rahman’s versatility. The movie has the audience dancing to the catchy tunes of songs such as Param Sundar and also makes the audience emotional with its carefully crafted background music. “Mimi” is a touching and thought-provoking drama that highlights the determination and strength of women.

4. Gangubai Kathiawadi(2022)

Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Awards: Alia Bhatt received the National Film Award for the best actress. The film was also presented with awards such as the Film Fare Award for the best screenplay, choreography, cinematography, editing, and background score.

This biographical drama tells the story of Ganga (Alia Bhatt), a young girl from a small village in Gujarat who is sold into prostitution. Renamed Gangubai, she rises to become a powerful and respected figure in Mumbai’s underworld. The film portrays her transition from the innocent Ganga to the powerful Gangubai Kathiawadi. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s direction brings out the severity of Gangubai’s life, making it a visually stunning and emotional film.

Moreover, the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, composed music for this film. The songs in this movie are deeply rooted in Indian classical music evident from songs such as Dholida. The music adds a powerful touch to the already dominant character of Gangubai. “Gangubai Kathiawadi” is evidence of the willpower of women who defy the odds to make a mark in a male-dominated world.

5. Secret Superstar(2017)

Cast: Zaira Wasim, Aamir Khan, Meher Vij

Director: Advait Chandan

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Awards: Secret Superstar has won many awards. Some of them include Best Playback Singer (Meghna Mishra), Best Supporting Actress (Meher Vij), Best Lyrics (Kausar Munir), Best Actress (Zaira Wasim), and Best Music Director (Amit Trivedi).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J\_yb8HORges

“Secret Superstar” follows the story of Insia Malik (Zaira Wasim), a young girl from a conservative Muslim family in Baroda who dreams of becoming a singer. Despite her father’s disapproval and the environment at home, Insia secretly uploads videos of her singing on YouTube, wearing a niqab to hide her identity. Her talent catches the attention of Shakti Kumar (Aamir Khan), a music director who helps her achieve her dreams. The film highlights themes of dreams, empowerment, and domestic abuse.

This film doesn’t disappoint the audience in terms of the music and background score. The songs are very well written and beautifully composed. The number of awards this film has received for music is a testament to this. Singer Meghna Mishra has done an exceptional performance. Each song is deeply intertwined with Insia’s personal life at school and at home. “Secret Superstar” is a heartwarming and motivational film that reinforces the importance of following one’s passion.

These are powerful narratives that challenge societal norms and celebrate empowerment and self-discovery. Each one, with its unique story and female lead, showcases the diversity of Bollywood. They remind us that pursuing one’s dreams is always worth it.