Top 10 Strong Female Characters From Bollywood Movies In 2016

The year 2016 saw many Blockbuster movies grossing higher than ever. When most of these movies were men-centric with women only in supporting characters, there were some movies that gave female characters a pedestal. Setting the stereotypes aside, these female characters from the 2016 Bollywood, give us assurance in the face of a patriarchal society. Here are the Top 10 Female Characters that blew our minds away in 2016:

1. Neerja Click to look into! >> Read More... Bhanot (Neerja)

A level headed and calm flight attendant, Neerja Bhanot, fights back terrorist hijackers. Neerja is one of the strongest female characters to appear on the Indian screens, who took everyone’s breath away. A fitting tribute to one of the bravest women India has seen, Neerja, portrayed by Sonam Kapoor Sonam Kapoor, Daughter of Anil Kapoor and model Su >> Read More... , is the proof of women being so much more than subordinate to the male leads.

2. Meenal Arora ( Pink Pink is an American Songwriter, Singer, and Actres >> Read More... )

Meenal Arora, depicted by Taapsee Pannu Taapsee Pannu is an actress and model of Indian or >> Read More... , from the movie ‘Pink’, is a character that every woman can understand. She didn’t have to be heroic, glamorous or a big shot to be an inspiration. Meenal gets as relatable to an Indian woman as Bollywood could ever get, which is appraisable in itself. Then comes her courage and determination to defend herself and not give in to the pressure and judgement of a society that sees an independent woman as the wrongdoer.

3. Abha Mathur ( Jai Gangaajal Click to look into! >> Read More... )

Abha Mathur, IPS, played by Priyanka Chopra Born on 18 July 1982, Priyanka Chopra is an establ >> Read More... , appointed to a demented district of Bankipur is the most badass female SP to have even set foot in Indian Cinema. She plays by the rules and still gets her way into catching the bad guys. Rising as a star and showing whose territory the district is.

4. Preet Sahani ( Udta Punjab Click to look into! >> Read More... )

The intelligent and independent Doctor, portrayed by Kareena Kapoor Khan Kareena Kapoor is a super hit actress working in I >> Read More... , in the hugely debated movie Udta Punjab was one to look out for as well. Preet Sahani runs a hospital and a rehab for drug users, alongside fighting against the drug mafias in the state with Inspector Sartaj Singh. Powerful, intelligent and brave, Preet won our hearts and respect.

5. Bauria (Udta Punjab)

Being trapped by a drug mafia, raped and addicted to drugs, Bauria, played by Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt is a trendsetting actress from Mumbai, >> Read More... , does not lose hope in the face of dire circumstances that she has to go through. Like the skilled Hockey player that she was, she keeps a level target and gets herself out of the labyrinth of drugs, eventually escaping from captivity. The amount of courage and strength shown by Bauria is astounding.

6. Vidya Sinha Vidya Sinha was born on 15 November 1947 in Mumbai >> Read More... ( Kahaani 2 Click to look into! >> Read More... : Durga Rani Singh)

Vidya Balan Vidya Balan is an award winning Bollywood actress >> Read More... , playing Vidya Sinha (Durga Rani Singh), in ‘Kahaani 2’, portrays a strong woman who is ready to go to any lengths to save a little girl from her sexually abusive uncle. Keeping her life on the line, Vidya is the epitome of motherhood and bravery.

7. Dalbir Kaur (Sarabjit)

Dalbir Kaur, depicted by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a popular Indian actress >> Read More... , is another such character that people loved on screen. Going to great lengths to prove her Brother, Sarabjit innocent and standing up to her abusive husband, she gives strength to an average woman to not succumb to torture.

8. Akira Click to look into! >> Read More... Sharma (Akira)

Sonakshi Sinha Sonakshi Sinha is a well-known Indian Actress. She >> Read More... , playing Akira Sharma, proved that women are not weak toys that moody men can play with and deface whenever they wish to. She stands up and fights against all the odds and emerges triumphant. The struggle against Acid Attacks and crimes against women continues through Akira.

9. Geeta Phogat Geeta Kumari Phogat was born on 15 December 1988 i >> Read More... ( Dangal Dangal is a Hindi live debate show that aired on A >> Read More... )

Defying another stereotype against women, Geeta Phogat, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh Fatima Sana Shaikh is an actress of Andhra origin. >> Read More... , wins medals and our hearts as she wrestles her way through to the top. Under her father’s training, she gives hope and strength to all those girls in India who are being told their only future is to learn household works and serve to their husbands.

10. Aarfa Hussain ( Sultan Click to look into! >> Read More... )

Much less noticed under Sultan’s story was a story of Aarfa, played by Anushka Sharma Born in an army family to Col. AjayKumar and Ashim >> Read More... . Trained as an accomplished wrestler, she goes on to represent India at the Olympics, only to drop out due to pregnancy. Although she gave up her childhood dream and chose to make her family, she displays strength all through the story, standing up to Sultan and supporting him as well.