Women’s Day 2024: BizAsia celebrates female icons in Bollywood

The contribution of women in Bollywood is on par with men and is significant. From the very beginning women have been essaying a variety of roles in Hindi films.

Whether it is playing the character of the girl next door, a gorgeous diva or a vamp thirsting for revenge, every part is portrayed with great finesse and aplomb by these talented actors.

This Women’s Day, BizAsiaLive.com brings to you a special tribute featuring the women icons of Bollywood. They are wonderful and a source of inspiration to other women. Let’s take a look.

Madhubala
The most beautiful woman ever to grace the Hindi silver screen has to be Madhubala. Her infectious smile, charming demeanour and alluring screen presence remains with the audience even today long after her tragic demise. Who can forget “Anarkali” from ‘Mughal-E-Azam’? The way Madhubala sang, danced, acted and lived the character of the love-stricken “kaneez” in the masterpiece is beyond excellence. The legendry actor lives on.

Zeenat Aman
The irresistible Zeenat Aman is the Marilyn Monroe of Hindi films. Sexy, daring and uninhibited, she was all this and more during her youth.

Whether it is her controversial look in ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ or hippie look in ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ the original temptress of Bollywood had the audiences captivated. Her acting skills too were remarkable. “Chura Liya”, the melodious song of Aman is famous even today. There can never be another Zeenat Aman, for she is one of a kind.

Hema Malini
Indian actor, director, producer and politician, Hema Malini fondly referred to as “Dream Girl” has had an illustrious career spanning several decades. Her film ‘Sholay’ and the character ‘Basanti’ both are iconic and can’t be replicated. Innocent beauty, fine acting chops and an elegant dancing ability make Hema Malini the diva that she is.

Unrelenting, determined and focused the seasoned actor is somebody who young actors especially the fairer sex look up to. She embodies all the qualities of a strong woman who will leave no stone unturned to build a successful life giving equal importance to her profession and family. Recipient of many honours and accolades the ‘Baghban’ actor is definitely an unmissable addition to the distinguished list of eminent actors featured in this article.

Rekha
A timeless beauty, Rekha is one of the few female actors of Bollywood who could play varied roles and make them believable.

You saw her as “Umrao Jaan”, “Chandni” and “Aarti” – in one film she played a courtesan, in another a mistress and in ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’, a devastated widow who punishes her husband’s killer mercilessly. Rekha has led a mysterious life and has always been a subject of scrutiny and curiosity by cinemagoers. She has a larger-than-life persona and remains popular whether or not she is in the public eye.

Sridevi
The phenomenon called Sridevi, is considered to be the first-ever female superstar of Bollywood.

During her successful career the ravishing actor also hailed as the “female Bachchan” of Bollywood, a sobriquet coined by media, ruled the hearts of millions. She is attributed with redefining the term “Bollywood heroine”. Thanks to her, heroines progressed from being paired opposite heroes only for the sake of casting. Heroines began to be considered as equal to heroes in every way. Some of her most memorable films are: ‘English Vinglish’, ‘Mr. India’, ‘Chaalbaaz’, ‘Lamhe’ and ‘Nagina’ among others.

Madhuri Dixit Nene
With the dance number, “Ek Do Teen”, the world saw who Madhuri Dixit was. The way she swayed to the item song from ‘Tezaab’ had hearts racing. The golden girl of Bollywood rose to overnight stardom and she has never looked back since then. With a number of blockbuster movies and superhit songs to her credit, the superstar is the recipient of prestigious awards and recognitions. After her marriage to Dr. Shriram Nene, the leading lady moved to the US.

After devoting all her time to her personal life, her love for acting brought the siren back to India and she began starring in films after a hiatus. The 2007 movie ‘Aaja Nachle’ marked her comeback.

The bubbly actor is still getting flooded with plum offers years after her return to her homeland. Other than featuring in films, she takes part in reality TV shows as a judge and has many ads to her credit.

A fabulous dancer, versatile actor, loving wife and doting mother – Madhuri Dixit Nene personifies the true essence of a complete woman. Sacrificing, strong-willed, loving and courageous these are some qualities that make every woman special and worthy of being celebrated.

BizAsiaLive.com wishes all our readers a Happy Women’s Day!