She, the hero

The film industry has always been a male bastion. Our films traditionally have centred around the male Vidya Balan star, who always gets more screen time, meatier dialogue and coats to wear in winter as the heroine shimmers (and shivers) in a chiffon saree. More pay too. But things seem to be changing slowly. The heroines are getting bigger and better roles. They’re even getting star billing in films. They are turning producers, directors and are taking power in their hands. This could surely result in the industry acquiring a better work environment and would hopefully translate into pay parity as well. Here’s looking at some of the ladies, who’re changing the rules through their choices...

Vidya Balan

YOU HAD EYES ONLY FOR VIDYA IN KAHAANI... A VULNERABLE PREGNANT WOMAN,WHO TURNS OUT TO BE AN AVENGING ANGEL WITH MURDER ON HER MIND

Vidya became a gamechanger by playing five consecutive roles to wide acclaim in the drama (2009), in the black comedy (2010), in the semi-biographical thriller (2011), in the biopic, (2011), on Silk Smitha, the shattered siren and the thriller (2012). You had eyes only for Vidya Bagchi in , a vulnerable pregnant woman, who turns out to be an avenging angel with murder on her mind. She followed it up with (2017). The film had her playing a bored homemaker, who thanks to a bit of luck and attitude