Iconic On-screen Ladies (Vote!)

Gentle as a bird, fiercer than a storm, a woman can be a whole lot of extremes and yet a picture of calm grace. Perhaps it is this versatile, persevering character that makes the fairer sex beautiful inside out.

And it is this very picture of her; Hindi cinema strives to translate on celluloid with glamour and aplomb.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, we pay a tribute to Bollywood's most extraordinary on-screen ladies in the last decade.

Vidya: Vidya Balan, Paa

As a loving but sensible single, unwed mother and no-nonsense doctor, Vidya channels her attention on raising a 13-year-old son suffering from a rare debilitating condition, Progeria, without any bitterness or sorrow. Despite the nature of her motherhood, she encourages her patients to extend their family but doesn't feel any need for assistance or involvement from her child's father at any point.

Unlike the usual dreamy lot of Bollywood heroines, Shruti is refreshingly confident and spirited about her goals. Her enthusiastic business acumen and go-getter attitude along with a vivacious partner make her a rising star among wedding planners.

But under that level-headed reserve is a vulnerable woman who loves with abandon and hurts in dignity.

In the Helen Keller-inspired tale, Rani Mukerji plays Michelle McNally, a blind and deaf girl who struggles to make a life out of her darkness under the constant guidance of her unorthodox teacher.

Her relentless efforts, including failed attempts and growing frustration, to lead a self-respecting existence and attain a graduation degree eventually pay off in this touching saga of triumph of spirit.

There's nothing intense about the ever-so-blithe and hopelessly romantic Geet. She makes her own rules, follows her heart and goes by her own chatty logic.

Be it eloping from home to pursue Prince Charming or doing a disappearing act after he rejects her. But because she does this with such dazzling innocence and optimism, you can't help but root for this sprightly lass and her happy ending.

An idealistic rookie reporter, Madhavi joins a publication with the hope of doing hard-hitting investigative journalism. Instead she's assigned a slot on Page 3 to write tripe about vain socialites and gossip-hungry party animals.

Although committed and compassionate, Madhavi is startled and disenchanted at how twisted the world of Page 3 really is. Instead of giving into disillusion, she resolves to make a difference while being a part of this murky world.

Image: Konkona Sen Sharma in Page 3

Plucky and passionate, Sweety doesn't allow her 'underworld don's sister' status come in the way of her saucy romance with a simple guy.

A full-on drama queen, she has no qualms about faking a stutter to win the confidence of her beau or blasting a loaded machine gun at anyone who dares to spoil her party. Unapologetically guts and glam, Sweety is all heart too. And so, more power to her.

Image: Priyanka Chopra in Kaminey

Instead of taking it lying down or succumbing to the embarrassment associated with the disease, a resolute Tamanna decides to sue her boss for firing her on unfair grounds in this Philadelphia-inspired remake by actress turned filmmaker Revathy.

Image: Shilpa Shetty in Phir Milenge

Set around the time of Indian emergency, Geeta emerges from a college girl inspired by the radical, communist views of her boyfriend to an unhappy housewife hung up on the exciting past to a woman of grit and substance confident enough to break from a bad marriage, have a child out of wedlock whilst lending educating to village children and become a part of the social movement.

Ultimately, she evolves into a more solid, reliable figure than the short-lived idols she once looked up to.

She's wise. She's liberated. She's straightforward. And she has a point of view. Mind you, she's very amiable. But don't think you can bully your way around her.

Not interested in joining the rat race, Gita invests her knowledge in providing education to village kids with the intent of making difference at grass-root level.

Having lost her parents at an early age, she's also single-handedly raising her kid brother. Her sorted out idealism aspires for a like-minded partner sharing her views on philanthropy and betterment of society.

more power to all of them ladies represent

Kareena kapoor as Geet. She is the most talked about and most loved character ever since Simran from DDLJ. From her dialogues and expressions, people have it memorized. I saw a recent youtube video this girl enacting kareena's kuta kaminey scene lol

Most were great!
But I'll go with Rani in Black 👍🏼
Though Kareena and Vidya were great too!

As anyone seen Tabu's Astitiva? was it a good movie?

None of Kajol's performances were better than Shilpa in Phir Milenge? Really? I have never ever heard of anyone speak of her performance in any form whatsoever from this movie.

Vidya Balan except I never saw Paa

She looked iconic in Parineeta though

All of them make me 🥱

Originally posted by: Zaxo

All of them make me 🥱

Especially Vidya Rani Shilpa Tabu Anushka

Originally posted by: Relda

None of Kajol's performances were better than Shilpa in Phir Milenge? Really? I have never ever heard of anyone speak of her performance in any form whatsoever from this movie.