For decades, mainstream Indian cinema largely revolved around male protagonists, while women were often confined to roles as romantic interests or emotional supports in the narrative. However, over the past three decades, a powerful shift has taken place in the industry.
Filmmakers across languages have increasingly turned their attention to real-life stories of extraordinary women—athletes, activists, artists, politicians and pioneers—bringing their struggles and achievements to the big screen. These films have not only expanded storytelling but also proved that female-led narratives can achieve both critical acclaim and strong box-office success.
As the world marks International Women’s Day, here is a look at some of the most notable Indian films inspired by real women that continue to inspire audiences.
Bandit Queen (1994)
Directed by Shekhar Kapur and starring Seema Biswas, this groundbreaking film tells the powerful and controversial story of Phoolan Devi. Rising from a childhood marked by poverty and abuse, Phoolan Devi later became a feared bandit before entering politics and serving as a Member of Parliament.
The film drew international attention and remains one of the earliest major female-centred biopics in Indian cinema.
Godmother (1999)
Directed by Vinay Shukla, the film stars Shabana Azmi as Santokben Jadeja, a woman who rose from humble beginnings to become a powerful political figure in Gujarat.
Azmi’s powerful performance earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress and highlighted the complexities women face while navigating political power structures.
Provoked (2007)
Directed by Jag Mundhra and starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the film recounts the story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia.
Her case in the United Kingdom became a landmark legal battle around domestic abuse and self-defence, sparking global discussions on women’s rights and justice.
The Dirty Picture (2011)
Directed by Milan Luthria, this bold biographical drama stars Vidya Balan as Silk Smitha, one of the most controversial and influential figures in South Indian cinema.
The film broke stereotypes about female-led films in Bollywood and went on to become a major commercial success.
Mary Kom (2014)
Directed by Omung Kumar and starring Priyanka Chopra, the film chronicles the life of Olympic boxing champion Mary Kom.
It follows her journey from a small town in Manipur to becoming one of India’s most celebrated athletes.
Rudhramadevi (2015)
Directed by Gunasekhar and starring Anushka Shetty, this Telugu historical epic tells the story of Rudrama Devi, one of the few female monarchs in Indian history.
She ruled the Kakatiya dynasty and faced immense challenges while leading a medieval kingdom.
Neerja (2016)
Directed by Ram Madhvani and starring Sonam Kapoor, the film portrays the heroic story of Neerja Bhanot.
Bhanot sacrificed her life while protecting passengers during the Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking in 1986. The film received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional storytelling.
Dangal (2016)
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film follows the story of wrestling coach Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari.
While the narrative begins with the father’s ambition, it ultimately celebrates the daughters’ achievements as pioneering female wrestlers who broke gender barriers in Indian sport.
Poorna: Courage Has No Limit (2017)
Directed by Rahul Bose, the film tells the inspiring story of Malavath Poorna.
At just 13 years old, she became the youngest girl to climb Mount Everest, proving that determination can overcome social and economic barriers.
Yadvi – The Dignified Princess (2017)
Directed by Jyoti Singh, the film portrays the life of Yadvi Singh, a princess who endured personal tragedy and public scrutiny while maintaining dignity and resilience.
Mahanati (2018)
Directed by Nag Ashwin and starring Keerthy Suresh, the film chronicles the life of legendary actress Savitri.
It captures her meteoric rise to stardom in South Indian cinema as well as the tragic circumstances that led to her downfall.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
Directed by Kangana Ranaut and Krish Jagarlamudi, the film portrays the life of Rani Lakshmibai.
It focuses on her role during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, highlighting her transformation from a royal widow into a symbol of resistance against British rule.
Saand Ki Aankh (2019)
Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, the film stars Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar as real-life sharpshooters Chandro Tomar and Prakashi Tomar.
Popularly known as the “Shooter Dadis,” the two elderly women became competitive shooting champions later in life, challenging stereotypes around age and gender.