Womanhood is something to be celebrated not just on one day but every day. Women’s rights have a long and arduous history. From the right to express oneself to the basic human right of equal pay for equal work, the situation has changed dramatically in the twenty-first century. Moreover, March is designated as Women’s History Month to commemorate female empowerment. And there is no better way to commemorate the occasion than by watching some Hindi movies that brilliantly personify womanhood.
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Salaam Venky
Salaam Venky tells the story of Venkatesh (Vishal Jethwa), 24, and his mother Sujata (Kajol). Venky‘s life has been devoted to fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a degenerative condition for which there is no known treatment. His most ardent supporter is his fearless mother, Sujata, who stood by his side throughout the entire battle. Sujata takes it upon herself to give her son the best life possible, even if that means going to court to fight Venky’s euthanasia plea. The Fixer in Nepal beautifully captures a mother’s love. After the climax, tears will undoubtedly fall from your eyes.
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Thappad
The story of this film is brilliant, as the event that the plot revolves around might not seem like a big issue to most people. It is the story of Amrita, who seems to be living a content life with her husband, Vikram. However, things take a turn when Vikram slaps Amrita in front of their guests and family. She is so taken aback by the event that she files for divorce. Despite being ridiculed for her decisions, she does not back away and chooses to stand up for herself. Thappad is truly inspiring and is a really good women-centric film.
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Lost
The film is among the newest on the list of Hindi movies with a strong female lead. Yami Gautam is the star of the film with her crime reporter personality. She is on a quest to dig out the truth behind the sudden disappearance of a man. Yami, as a reporter, is fearless when confronting a dishonest politician, but she also gets nauseous at the sight of a dead body. What makes this story interesting to watch is the contrast in her character.
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Pink
A powerful film that addresses the issue of patriarchal and condescending attitudes toward women. It stars Taapsee Pannu and Amitabh Bachchan as key characters. In the movie, three women get into a courtroom battle with rich, spoiled brats who try to sexually assault them. There are many intense scenes and dialogs in the film that may trigger you because of how sensitive the topic is.
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Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
The film is based on the true story of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena. She was the first woman officer in the Indian Air Force to fly a Cheetah aircraft into a combat zone and rescue several soldiers. When the conflict between India and Pakistan erupted in 1999, Gunjan was only 25 years old and was asked to fly into Srinagar. The film stars Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, and Angad Bedi in lead roles. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl celebrates a woman’s bravery, inspiring many others to do the same.
