11 Bollywood Actresses Who Changed The Face Of Feminism

Bollywood has a lot of actresses who often confuse the meaning of feminism. It is about equality of both the sexes, and is not at all about male bashing!

But then they do have women in the same industry who not just know what feminism is, but also redefine it with their actions. Here is a list of 11 actresses who have shown the world what is means to be a feminist!

The actress was a part of the film industry at a time when women in films were not viewed with respect. In an interview, Rehman disclosed the challenges that she faced when she had signed the iconic movie ‘Guide’.  Her character was a strong woman who goes into a relationship, abandoning her husband, with a guide. She also left the person when he came between her career and the man she loved. She received strong opposition to play such head strong character because well, women were supposed to behave in a certain way! But she went ahead and received accolades for her performance.

She was one of the boldest women of her times. She had a relationship with West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards in the 80s and had conceived a child from the relationship. She took the strong step of going ahead with the pregnancy despite strong opposition from friends and society. The actress, who got married at the age of 49 with Delhi based chartered accountant Vivek Mehra, later said that it was a wrong decision to be an unwed mother in India. But she referred to the problems that a child would face, having to face the society that is strongly patriarchal.

Shabana Azmi has proved a number of times that she supports the cause of equality of both the sexes. She had voiced how it is important to have the power to spend what one earns. She had also gone bald for her role in Deepa Mehta’s Fire, a film that portrayed homosexuality! Also, in one of the events, she stressed how the new surge of Bollywood is a welcome change and jokingly called out to her husband, Javed Akhtar and Gulzar sitting amongst the audience, to script some women centric films.

She is the face of Be Unfair campaign, which vehemently protested and tried to change the mentality of considering dark women as ugly! She has been fighting against this ingrained racism with the motto- Stay Unfair, Stay Beautiful.

The actress had been in the limelight when she became the first Indian woman to win Miss Universe. She is unapologetic about whatever she does in her life. And she is always open about everything- from adopting Renee to her relationships or even her age!

She is a woman who lives life on her own terms. Her mother Aparna Sen is a big influence for her. She had the guts to go forward and announce her pregnancy, much before she had married boyfriend Ranveer Shorey.

Kangana does not give a fuck about what the entire nation thinks of her and goes forward to do or say what she wants to! She has carved her way in Bollywood without any Godfather. She had been made fun of, was mocked for how she looked, but she shut everyone up with her talent and went on to win three National Award, two in two consecutive years. She has also been vocal and supported her sister who had been a victim of acid attack.

We would not be able to stop if we start talking about what she has done for feminism! Remember the It’s Your Fault video? Yes, she is actively works towards making women more empowered and attain equality! 

Richa’s twitter description reads, “An egg-white omlette is a fair, pleasant, and non-threatening creature of manufactured sexuality. I am a sunny side up”. Need we say more?

The grand old lady of Indian Cinema was a badass. She had abandoned her burqa after a few years. In interviews she has given powerful statements like “Oh! My burqa was of lovely silk and I was so glad I made petticoats of it”! 

She did not succumb to the pressures of the society and got married when she found love. She married Atul Gurtu at the age of 60.