Posted:
While we unveil the poster of 'Heroine', Madhur-explain-it-all-Bhandarkar's version of a women-centric film, a little mulling over the genre seemed appropriate. Everyone knows that post Vidya Balan's thumkas in 'The Dirty Picture', the genre got a new lease of life or as Konkona Sen Sharma put it, in all her pseudo Bengali intellectuality, "Vidya has reclaimed women-centric films." And now everyone wants to get their blousefull with a meaty role in a film that revolves and rotates around them. Point of fact: September 2012 has 4 such big releases. Bipasha's 'Raaz 3', Kareena's 'Heroine', Preity's 'Ishq in Paris'and Sridevi's 'English Vinglish'. And Deepika Padukone who hasn't managed to get one, has sent out a mass mailer saying that she would only accept women-centric films, following her 'Cocktail' hangover. So while our B-town babes get their paws wet for this super desirable screen avatar, let's draw some historical perspective to such roles.
In Hindi cinema, most films driven by a female lead were always dreary and moralistic and usually restricted to the following scenarios: women getting raped, abused by in-laws, sold to the brothel by their husbands or superficially extended an illusion of empowerment by making the fairer sex pick up a weapon or a spatula to knock out their aggressor. In all, the idea was simple: pity the woman for, well, being one. So the very mention of a women-centric film would mean that it would center around her woes and empathizing over her dukhda would make you an obedient audience. Doesn't spell 'entertainment' thrice? Or even once? This is exactly why such films dug their own grave, allowing women to do more than be used, abused and recycled for the next cry-a-thon. Being a tad sadistic, we compile a list of strong female iconic roles that don't exist anymore (thankfully).
The list of movies is on the site
Sports
Anupamaa
Members Lounge
Hindi TV Shows
Cricket
22