Game Changers: Top Actresses

Game Changers: Top Actresses

And so she arrived – the girl next door, the item girl, the dedicated wife, the vigilante; she plays them all with utmost perfection. She's sometimes vanilla with the right dash of spice. Sometimes she's all spice with a tinge of tart. Her looks could kill but she's the one who adds soul to Hindi cinema's machismo. In a testosterone driven movie world, estrogen keeps a check on the balance. It is the heroine who completes a Hindi film. She's come a long way from being arm candy. Today she can fend off killers and terrorists while she's preggers. She knows how to take her chances. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is the global face of Indian cinema, while back home Katrina Kaif, despite being an outsider, has surpassed all odds to become the most wanted actress in the industry. Top directors vie for Kareena Kapoor Khan. Priyanka Chopra pushes the envelope to cut a pop single. And how can we even forget, Vidya Balan Kapur who has broken stereotypes of the 'zero size figure,' has done unconventional roles and has received indefinite critical acclaim for the same. Here's celebrating the true-blue women who've changed the game forever.

Strength of a woman - Vidya Balan

Playing unconventional roles and most importantly smashing stereotypes into smithereens, she's managed to raise the bar. With back-to-back hits (Paa, Ishqiyaa, The Dirty Picture and Kahaani), Vidya Balan has become a symbol of women's power and emancipation. She has no inhibition and that has eventually worked in her favour. Damn the critics, who point fingers at her ample proportions. She's even shattered the myth that leading actresses fade away with age. Directors yearn to work with Mrs Vidya Balan Kapur. The creme de la creme and the commoners on the Mumbai local are all swayed by her talent. Her future?releases reiterate the fact that she's one of the most sought after stars in B-town. And marriage has just added to her charm. We're waiting to see her take on yet another challenging role and dazzle us with her performance.

Diva du jour - Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor is like quicksilver. At one moment, she's packing her vanity valises for an exotic holiday in Gstaad, at another she's driving her spot boy Prakash crazy, trying to get a chilli cheese toast from a five star hotel. Ah, quintessential Kareena Kapoor. At 30, she's the queen of the showbiz whirl. Bebo's got that indefinable, grew-up-on-the-studio-tracks air about her. She's clued into the trade. Since she was a teenager, she had set her eyes on stardom. And stardom, she very well achieved. She burst the seams of showbiz and made a thumping impact. Her debut film Refugee didn't really take off but all eyes were set on this firebrand. She made size zero a fashion statement at the movies and other actresses followed suit. Despite her films not doing well, she continued to be the favourite choice of the biggest directors in B-town. 2004 to 2007 proved to be a turning point in her career. She portrayed her acting prowess and won critical acclaim for her performances in films like Chameli, Dev and Omkara. She also became the first actress to be part of three back-to-back blockbusters (3 Idiots, Golmaal 3 and Bodyguard). She raised the bar not only with her talent but also became the first actress to charge as much as her male counterparts. Marriage proved to be an added incentive for Ms Kapoor. Walking on velvet, she's the true-blue diva who remains untouched. While she spends her summers globetrotting with hubby dearest, we wish she doesn't shy away from acting. After all, she's the one who puts the magic into the movies.

She's worth it - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was just 21 when she won a million hearts and the Miss World pageant. Since then she hasn't looked back. She's clearly the global face of emerging India. Shutterbugs go wild when she walks the red carpet at Cannes, the mecca of film festivals. Actresses today must thank her, for she was the first to endorse multinational brands.Time Magazine recently ranked her as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet. She's also listed as one of the wealthiest women in the city. Ash is a shining example for women in India; not only for the roles that she has portrayed on-screen but also for her inimitable fashion sense. She sparks a new fashion trend, even today. Currently, she's enjoying motherhood but a million hearts are anxiously waiting to be won over by the green-eyed beauty. Once more, with affection.

Barbie Doll- Katrina Kaif

She had an ice cube's chance in hell of making it. She was criticised for not knowing the language, her acting skills came under fire. Actors refused to work with her and producers were sceptical to bet their money on her. Then, Namastey London happened. Back to back hits made Ms. Kaif the most sought after actress in B-town. Perceptions changed overnight. Top actors wished to work with her and producers termed her a 'lucky charm'. Yes, the tables had turned. Everything she touched turned to gold. Today, she's worked with the top-notch actors and directors of the industry. With Salman Khan she delivered the whooping '200cr blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger. And more recently she explored the hardcore romantic space with none other than the king of romance, Shah Rukh Khan in Jab Tak Hain Jaan. What's more, she's got Dhoom3 up for release with perfectionist Aamir Khan. Katrina has carefully moulded her hazy dreams and made them pitch perfect with hard work and determination. She's the perfect example of an outsider who dreams to make it large in the big bad world of movies. Surely, nothing is impossible.

She's got the chops!- Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra is in the top rung of contemporary actresses.?Playing an autistic girl is like walking on the razor edge. Pee Cee got it bang on in Barfi!. When it came to critical praise, she gave Ranbir Kapoor tough competition. Diversifying is one of her major interests. Her latest single with international star Will.i.am proved to be a big hit. This tech-savvy diva is quite easily the most popular heroine on Twitter with?more than 2.5 million followers, second only to Amitabh Bachchan leading with a massive three?million plus fan base. When not taking on multiple avatars in What's Your Raashee?, 7 Khoon?Maaf, Teri Meri Kahaani, Priyanka gamely accepts to perform cameos/guest appearances. Like the one in 36 China Town, Alag, Taxi No 9211, Om Shanti Om or even RA.One. Like most celebrities, the Dostana babe too dabbled with small screen. She anchored the third season of thrills-packed reality show, Khatron Ke Khiladi replacing its host of first two seasons, Akshay Kumar. Actor, ?Television anchor, International pop star… what lies next? We're waiting.

Going places- Deepika Padukone

Deepika's been on Salman Khan's wish list for five years now. Need we say more? Every other A-list male star too wants to work with her. Contrary to popular belief Deepika Padukone always knew how to play the game. Without inhibition, surrounded by a?bevy of critics who couldn't see past her long legs and flawless face, Deepika slalomed to the top spot. Her performance in Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal set the ball rolling. There was the expected?glamorous follow up in Housefull and Break Ke Baad but Deepika also kept chipping in with middle-?of-the-road films like Aarakshan and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se. She finally came into her own with Cocktail. That she can sell a film is a no brainer. But it's her dedication?that's landing her plum roles with Shah Rukh Khan and a film produced by Karan Johar. This model-turned- actor has conquered the big league. With top directors anxiously?waiting for her to sign the dotted line and male actors vying for her attention, she's got exciting?times ahead. Chances are she may even star in Dostana 2 and another Dharma film opposite Emraan Hashmi. Eat that!