Girl power, desi style!

And it's not a recent trend. Even earlier, while several yesteryear damsels were busy screaming 'Bachao' to her smug hero, quite a few of them dared to take matters in their own hand. Things have only gotten better over the years. From being the object of protection to playing bodyguard -- like Priyanka Chopra in Drona -- the desi Wonder Woman is here to stay. Here's a look at girl power, Bollywood style:

Aishwarya Rai, The Last Legion

If you thought beauty was her only weapon, think again. The erstwhile Miss World shows she can play an armed exotic warrior skilled in the art of sword-fighting just as well.

The action-packed climax of Tashan witnesses a fiery Bebo transform into Goddess destruction on a revenge rampage.

It's all guns, no roses for this no-nonsense member of the anti-terrorist squad.

Being a fitness freak helps as Dharmendra's tough 'n' toned daughter found out while doing her own stunts in the not-so-tempting, Cash.

Don't be fooled by her girl-next-door vivacity, Piggy Chops goes for the kill whilst flaunting her smooth martial arts moves in Don.

Revenge turns Rekha into a ruthless femme fatale in Rakesh Roshan's successful adaption of the Australian miniseries Return to Eden.

Sri might have gone overboard with the bullets and horses as a she-dacoit in Sherni. In her next attempt Army, however, the actress is believably aggressive as the scorned woman out to avenge hubby's murder.

Whether it's giving a bunch of bandits a good chase in Sholay, thrashing ruffians in Andha Kanoon or drawing a sword against her enemies, Hema Malini displays a flair for combat.

It's clobbering time when Dimple discards khaki for khukri and goes on a vendetta spree against a gang of lecherous antagonists.

The original action queen, Fearless (and matchless) Nadia, true to her name, set the precedent for generations to come. In Hunterwali, the legend plays a do-gooder super heroine who tosses in and out of a cartwheel, whips a host of baddies, turning them into pulp and subsequently helping the needy.