Bollywood is aging gracefully and it is all because of the rise in the numbers of female-centric films. One of the very first films that were sent to the Oscars was a female-centric film and that film was Mother India. There have been many female-centric films in 100 years that had not only grossed well but have made a long-lasting impact on viewers. We are featuring the following top ten woman-centric films.

Top Ten woman-centric films of Bollywood in 100 years

#10 is Raazi

If any film from the modern era of Bollywood that has been written well is “Raazi”. Starring Alia Bhatt as Sehmat, the film’s storyline, and actors’ performances were commendable. This film illustrates the prowess and determination of a woman that how a girl who is just eye candy, later one became a secret agent of an Indian Secret agency and went to Pakistan by marrying a Pakistani soldier guy. She found out all the secret codes and information and handed over it to the Indian Secret Agency.

#9 is Mrityudand

The 1990s has been known for more male-centric films but because of the super-duper stardom of Megastar Madhuri Dixit, she was able to get many female-centric roles and also stayed on top for almost a decade. It was Prakash Jha’s Mrityudand that not only showed the versatility of Madhuri but also revived female-centric films in Bollywood. Ketki’s character was that of a developing woman who wanted to empower herself. It is a story of an educated rural woman who voiced against the injustice done to rural women.

#8 is Fashion

An innovative script for two of the most iconic actresses “Priyanka Chopra” and “Kangana Ranaut” brought a unique film. This film was a masterpiece because this time glamour was used not to get sex appeal but it was used to encapsulate creativity and practicality. The Bold Kangana in the supporting role and Magical Priyanka in the lead role nailed the roles perfectly. The film was based on the secret lives of people who want to pursue the fashion industry as their career.

#7 is No one killed Jessica

A Film made on a real-life incident i.e.the true story of model Jessica Lall — who was shot dead in a restaurant — and the campaign to bring her killer to justice. Starring Rani Mukerji, Vidya Balan, and Myra Karn, after watching the movie one couldn’t hold his or her thoughts. It is a wonderful contribution to Indian cinema by UTV motion and full credit should go to Rajkumar Gupta for making such a wonderful movie. The many USP of the film is the title NO one killed Jessica and hence the case reopens on 7th January the tag line is itself enough to create a mass appeal. The film shows how the common man has to run from pillar to post to get justice had how the rich and powerful use their power and influence to turn witness hostile. This is in true sense is one of the best thriller female-centric films of all time.

#6 is Chaalbaaz

Chaalbaaz is a film that was starring two of the top male superstars of that time “Sunny Deol and Rajni Kanth” but a female superstar who stood brighter than the two was “Sridevi”. It was Sri who was the hero of the film. Her role in the film is known for her best comedy. She did a double role of two sisters Anju and Manju. Anju was a mild, submissive while Manju was dominating and naughty. However, it was a remake of Hema Malini starring “Seeta Aur Geeta” even then the film did really well at the box office. Add to that it was one of the highest-grossing films of that year. Sridevi was continuously featured in many female-centric films like Chandini, Nagina, Sadma etc in the 1980s.

#5 is Mary Kom

Mary Kom is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language biographical sports film directed by Omung Kumar and produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film stars Priyanka Chopra in the lead role of the eponymous boxer” Mary Kom”. She is five times a wrestling world champion. Mary Kom the film is also ranked among the highest-grossing Indian films led by a female actor. Mary Kom is an important film that’s hugely inspiring. But more importantly, it’s also great fun to watch. Priyanka Chopra, transformed into Mary Kom, to give us 2014 year’s most earnest, memorable performance thus far!

#4 is Lajja

Raj Kumar Santoshi is known for extracting the best from the bests. Lajja is one such film that has shown “all the social evil practices, which malign woman’s esteem”. His choice of the actresses was commendable. Though Manisha was in the lead role, the other actresses like Madhuri Dixit, Rekha, and Mahima Chaudhary have also given splendid performances. Vedihi, Janki, Ramdulaari, and Maithili were not just characters of a film but these characters icon the reality of struggles that a woman goes through while living their lives on their own terms.

#3 is Mother India

The film that started it all. it is the story of a poverty-stricken village woman named Radha (Nargis), who in the absence of her husband, struggles to raise her sons and survive against a cunning money-lender amidst many troubles. Mother India has been described as “perhaps India’s most revered film”, a “cinematic epic”, a “flag-bearer of Hindi cinema, and a legend in its own right”. The Backbone of the film was “Nargis Dutt”.

2 is Padmavat

A Film that was released after too much controversy, “Padmavat” is an undisputed highest-grossing female-centric film ever. Deepika Padukon was splendid. Her portrayal was artistic and her screen presence was extraordinary. The creativity of scenes boarded by “Sanjay Leela Bhansali” is legendary. The film stars Deepika, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor. It is based on the poem called “Padmavat” written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. Padmavati was a queen of Chittor who did Johar to behold the respect of Rajputana and defeated “Alauddin Khilji”

1 is Manikarnika: The queen of Jhansi

The film “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi” is on top because its another film that grossed more than 100 crores but with no male lead and also because the film is directed by the actress who is starring in the film. The director cum lead of the film is Kangana Ranaut. After acting in films like “Gangster, Fashion, Queen, Tanu weds Manu Part 1 and 2, Panga, and many others”, It is said that Kangana has played the maximum number of female-centric films. This film is based on a legendary and warrior queen of Jhansi who was one of the first leaders who led the revolt of 1957. A special screening of the film was organized by Zee Entertainment for Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Cultural Centre on 18 January in presence of Kangana Ranaut and her team before releasing of the film on 25 January 2019.