Movies show women as the times demand. Once, they were there to be loved or wanted. Now, they shape fate. Society changed, and so did the films. Still, too often, they exist only to push the man’s story forward. But women are not shadows. They are strong. They feel deeply. More of them now lead, both on screen and behind it. Films have started to tell their stories with truth and grit. Some pass the Bechdel test. Some show women as they are—complex, fierce, and real. Indian cinema once made them idols or dreams. Now, it makes them forces to reckon with. Women’s Day calls for stories of strength. Here are ten films that inspire.
Origin & Importance of Women’s Day
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International Women’s Day is held every year on March 8. It started in the early 1900s with women fighting for better work and the right to vote. In 1908, 15,000 women marched in New York City. They wanted fair pay. They wanted a voice. By 1911, the first official Women’s Day was marked in Europe.
Now, the day honors women’s achievements and their fight for equality. Progress has been made, but the battle is not over. Women still face barriers in work, education, health, and politics. The day calls attention to these struggles—violence, discrimination, and rights still denied. But it also celebrates strength, resilience, and the women who have changed the world.
10 Must-Watch Indian to Celebrate the International Women’s Day
1. Kahaani (2012)
Vidya Balan plays a woman alone in a strange city. She is pregnant. Her husband is missing. She comes from London to Kolkata to find him. She searches, but every path is a dead end. The city does not give up its secrets easily. The story pulls you in, each scene tightening its grip. The ending hits hard. Justice. Vengeance. No one saw it coming.
2. English Vinglish (2012)
Sridevi was great in many films. This is one of her best. She plays Shashi, a housewife. A good woman. A loving mother. But her family mocks her because she does not speak English. When she visits New York for a wedding, she takes a class. She learns. She grows. She stands tall. The film is simple but true. It shows what happens when a woman believes in herself.
3. Aramm
A fight for what is right. A village in trouble. A leader who will not bend. Nayanthara plays Madhivadhani, an IAS officer who stands firm. She does not break. She does not look away. She does what must be done. The film is sharp, strong, and true. It shows that one person, with the will to act, can change everything.
4. Thappad (2020)
One slap. Just one. But that is one too many. Amrita’s world shifts when her husband strikes her at a party. Some say it was nothing. She knows better. She will not accept it. She walks away, files for divorce, and does not waver. Taapsee Pannu plays her with quiet fire. The film asks a simple question: Why should a woman take even one blow? The answer is clear. She should not.
5. The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)
This was a film that would make anyone sit up and take notice of the existence of patriarchy in the world today. When one watches the film, he or she is likely to understand that there is a serious issue in the society where women are treated as mere cooks and cleaners whose main role is to cook food. Nimisha Sajayan is in her best form portraying the character of a newly married woman who has no patience to cook daily. The cinematography throughout numerous scenes in the movie depicts the delicious food on one hand and the miserable fate of the women preparing it on the other hand. After a long time of suffering, Nimisha has finally come to the point of freeing herself from the misery; The Great Indian Kitchen is one of those films that you should not miss.
6. Kathal (2023)
A stolen jackfruit. A case that seems absurd. But Mahima Basor knows better. The character played by Sanya Malhotra is a Dalit woman, a police inspector, a fighter. She walks in a society that does not see her worth. She sees what others do not. She gathers the facts, one by one. This is not just a case. The world is not easily transformed but Mahima has not bowed down. A movie that is all about determination and unyielding spirit and character.
7. Bhakshak (2024)
Bhakshak is based on true events and showcases an honest and courageous journalist who owns a small news channel. Note that Bhumi Pednekar brilliantly plays the role of the journalist. She uncovers a great horror by discovering the abuse of young girls in a shelter home. The film shows how she deals with the evil even as she finds herself alone in her mission. The movie might seem tough to watch at times due to the serious issues it depicts. But you can be sure that it will give you lots to think about.
8. Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016)
Lipstick Under My Burkha is a bold film. A black comedy. A story of four women in Bhopal who want more. More than what the world allows them. They chase dreams in secret, defying the rules set for them. The film was banned at first. The Censor Board called it “lady-oriented.” People fought back. The ban was lifted. It was released with an “A” certificate. Ratna Pathak Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aahana Kumra, and Plabita Borthakur bring these women to life. Different ages. Different struggles. The same fight. The film won awards. It struck a nerve. It speaks of desire, freedom, and breaking chains. It does not flinch.
9. “Gangubai Kathiawadi” (2022)
A crime drama. A true story. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film is based on a chapter from Mafia Queens of Mumbai by Hussain Zaidi. Alia Bhatt plays Gangubai, a woman betrayed and sold into prostitution. But she does not stay a victim. She rises. She takes power in Kamathipura’s red-light district. She fights for the women there. She demands dignity, education, and a better life. Set in the 1950s and ’60s, the film shows her journey—hard, ruthless, unstoppable. Bhatt’s performance burns on screen. Bhansali’s world is rich and unrelenting. The film is about pain, survival, and the will to lead. It does not look away.
10. “Neerja” (2016)
A true story. A fight against fear. Directed by Ram Madhvani, the film tells the story of Neerja Bhanot, a flight purser who gave her life to save others. In 1986, terrorists hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi. She did not run. She stood her ground. Sonam Kapoor plays Neerja with quiet strength. At 23, she acted fast. She warned the pilots. She kept the plane from taking off. She helped 359 people escape. She did not make it out. India honored her with the Ashoka Chakra, its highest peacetime bravery award. Neerja is sharp, tense, and deeply moving. A story of courage that must be told.
Conclusion
All the 10 movies listed above depicts women breaking barriers and stereotypes. They also show that there are many other great characters that women can portray besides playing the stereotypical damsel in distress. To get inspired this Women’s Day, just get some popcorn and choose your pick from the list.
FAQs
Q1: Are these movies entertaining or just educational?
A: They’re like that friend who makes you laugh while dropping truth bombs—entertaining enough that you won’t notice you’re evolving.
Q2: Will these films make me angry about social injustice?
A: Probably. Side effects include righteous fury, spontaneous applause, and texting friends “YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS” at midnight.
Q3: Will men like these movies too?
A: Absolutely! Contrary to popular belief, compelling storytelling isn’t gender-specific, though some ego adjustments may be required.
Amit Gupta is a 2016 graduate of Delhi University, India. After working over a decade as an additional writer at TheScoopVilla, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on Bollywood News, Hindi and South Indian Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to cooking and play cricket in his free time. Follow On Facebook.