5 Bollywood Movies That Are Based On Indian Women’s Pain And Misery

Being a woman is not an easy task and being an Indian woman is a herculean one. With a patriarchal society, Indian women have lesser choices in life as compared to their fellow men. Their hardships and agonies are prominent in many Bollywood films that garnered critical acclaimed. Some talked about sexual harassment while others talked about issues like discrimination, victim blaming, etc.

In this blog, we have listed the best Bollywood movies that talked about women miseries in the most appropriate manner.

1. Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016)

This film is rather a collection of stories than a single story itself. It deals with day-to-day challenges an Indian woman has to face in a traditional middle class household. Directed by Alankrita Shrivastav, Lipstick Under My Burkha meticulously narrates the ordeals of being a woman in India without exaggeration. It passes on a clear idea that in this world governed by men, a woman is considered morally corrupt if she wants to live her life on her terms.

2. Astitva (2000)

This film starring Tabu and Sachin Khedekar, revolves around a woman’s sexual desires. Tabu plays the role of a young woman who is not satisfied with her husband, who often leaves her alone being busy in his work. Her illicit relationship with her music teacher raises questions on double standards of the society with a moral compass always in the favour of men.

3. Pink (2016)

Shoojit Sircar’s film talks about women’s consent that men don’t seem to pay heed to. Pink revolves around three women who were molested by three men known to them. When they drag them to the court, the accused tries to press charges on them instead. Their lawyer, played by Amitabh Bachchan, stresses on a fact that a woman’s consent is as important as a man’s. This film became famous for its phrase ‘no means no’ that became a part of conversations around #MeToo movement as well.

4. Thappad (2020)

It won’t be an overstatement to say that this Anubhav Sinha directorial is one of the best films of first half of 2020. It revolves around Taapsee Pannu, an Indian housewife who decides to divorce her husband after an incident of him slapping her in front of his family and friends. It sheds light on the casual sexism and bias a woman has to face in the hands of her loved ones as well. Each character of this film will remind you somebody in your life and you will relate to the story in one way or the other.

5. Queen (2013)

This Kangana Ranaut starrer is one of the best films Indian cinema has ever churned. Not only in terms of women-centric genre, but also for its cinematic brilliance. It revolves around a shy young woman Rani who is dumped by her fiancé right before their marriage. She embarks on her honeymoon alone and in the process, she finds herself. Despite being taunted by her relatives and society, Rani continues to live her life on her conditions and refuses to take her fiancé back when he returns to her.

If you haven’t watched these films yet, we recommend watching them in your free time. These films are perfect explainer to what feminism stands for. They are free from ‘toxic feminism’ that in vogue on social media these days.