Arts and Theater

TOP 10 MUST-WATCH FEMALE-CENTRIC INDIAN FILMS

Over the past decade, Indian Cinema has witnessed the rise in female-centric films. This theme, a new genre, has been named the ‘Women’s films.’ These films mainly portray how females are perceived and treated by the society, issues faced by women in both the professional and domestic life, such as gender discrimination, crimes, etc. It also conveys the importance of women and the need to respect them through motherhood, family, women empowerment etc., to the audience. These films act as pivotal roles in bringing about transformation to our country. Recently, many film actresses have been preferring female-centric roles.

Let us look at the top 10 women’s films produced by Indian film industries.

Movie Name: – Mahanati

Storyline – Mahanati is a Telugu Biographical Drama directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by Priyanka Dutt. This film revolves around the legendary film actress Savitri, whose character was played by Keerthy Suresh. The story begins with the personal life of the legendary actress Savitri and how she had achieved great fame as an actress in both Tamil and Telugu film industries. The later part of the story focuses on how she stood up against all odds, which happened due to her wrong choices in her life.

Why should you watch this film?

The film gives you a lot of moral lessons and one such lesson is, we should be careful while choosing our close allies, as those relationships with close allies will have a significant effect on our future. It also tells the audience to be strong and independent, even during the worst times. The lessons we learn from the lives of great people, make us wiser while making choices related to our life and how to respond during crisis. Apart from these moral lessons, Keerthi Suresh’s acting is exceptional. The music is excellent as well, which blends with the story. The story is very dramatic and touching which makes the audience deeply connect with the emotions and pains of the main character.

CAST:-

Directed by Nag Ashwin

Produced by Priyanka Dutt

Lead Actress- Keerthi Suresh

Language – Telugu

Movie Name – Gangubai Kathiawadi

Storyline – The latest Female-Centric Bollywood film “Gangubai Kathiawadi” is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The story revolves around the Mafia Queen of Mumbai, Gangubai Kathiawadi. The film mainly focuses on how Ganga transforms from a sex worker to the Mafia Queen of Kamathipura in Mumbai. Her journey is filled with a lot of challenges, opponents and social stigma, which she has to overcome in order to become the Mafia Queen. The character Gangubai Kathiawadi is played by Bollywood Actress Alia Bhatt.

Why should you watch this film?

I recommend watching this film as Alia Bhatt’s acting is really good, and there are some beautiful dialogues which gives immense weightage to the story. The audience can easily connect to the emotions of the young girl who is undergoing such challenges to become a Mafia Queen. The movie also sheds light on women empowerment, especially with powerful dialogues which are conveyed by the actress in the film.

Cast:-

Directed by – Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Lead Actress – Alia Bhatt

Language – Hindi

Movie Name – Kartavyam

Storyline – Kartavyam is the Telugu remake of the Tamil film Tejasvini. The story revolves around a female District Collector Madhu, who takes up the challenge of rescuing a four-year-old kid named Dharshini who falls into a borewell.

Why should you watch this film?

I would recommend this film, as the story keeps the audience on edge, and curious of what’s happening next. Nayanthara perfectly blended with the role of District Collector. The story is a combination of emotional turmoil and thriller. If you are a fan of thriller films then this is one of the best movies to watch.

Directed by Gopi Nainar

Produced by M. Srinivasa Rao, Sharrath Marar, R. Ravindran

Lead Actress – Nayanthara

Language – Telugu

Movie Name – Dangal

Storyline – Dangal is considered a popular female-centric sports film directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film is also a biographical story that revolves around a real-life patriotic fighter Mahavir Singh Phogat who raises his daughters – Geeta and Babita and makes them into world-class wrestlers.

Why should you watch this film?

I recommend this film as the theme of the film – “girls can do everything as boys can do” which glows throughout the film. It gives a sense of strong women empowerment in the field of sports, especially wrestling. There is no distinction in the area of work. If you are interested in wrestling, or boxing, this is a great film to watch. It serves as a motivation for young girls to participate boldly in all games or sports. The actress who played the role of Geeta is excellent, as her acting helps the audience connect well with the character.

CAST:-

Directed by – Nitesh Tiwari

Produced by – Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, Siddharth Roy Kapur

Lead Actor – Aamir Khan

Language – Hindi

Movie Name – Oh! Baby

Storyline – The film is considered the most popular commercial film in Tollywood, directed by Nandini Reddy. The story revolves around a 70-year-old woman Savitri, a hyper old lady who runs a canteen and lives with her son and daughter-in-law. One day she is kicked out from the house due to a small family conflict. Guess what? She turns into a 24 year old woman after visiting an old Photoshop. Are you curious to know how Baby utilizes her second chance in rediscovering herself?

Why should you watch the film?

This film is a must watch, as it mesmerizes and involves the audience in the story, with a witty sense of humor, excellent acting from Samantha, and a wonderful music score. If you are someone who is looking for a combination of fantasy, comedy and drama then, you should definitely watch this film. The story is very interesting and unique to watch. Samantha’s fashion and style grabs the attention of the audience.

CAST:-

Directed by Nandini Reddy

Lead Actress – Samantha

Language -Telugu

Movie Name – Raazi

Storyline – Raazi is another popular Female-Centric Bollywood film, which revolves around an Indian Kashmiri spy named Shemat who gets married to a Pakistani man, by her father during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. Her father believes that she can help the country by obtaining valuable information about the enemy.

Why should you watch this film?

Another must-watch film, as it gives a sense of a true female hero and really inspires the audience, especially women. It also gives a sense of patriotism as the story revolves around protecting the country from our neighboring enemies. Alia Bhatt’s acting is good and the story is very unique and interesting.

CAST:-

Directed by Meghna Gulzar

Produced by Vineet Jain, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta

Lead Actress – Alia Bhatt

Language – Hindi

Movie Name – Mom

Storyline – Mom is a Crime-Thriller Bollywood film where the story revolves around a higher secondary school teacher named Devki Sabharwal who lives with her husband Anand and stepdaughter Arya. She was trapped into the life of victimhood after brutally being gang raped by a group of spoiled students. Are you curious to know what Devki plans to do next, when the justice system fails?

Why you should watch this film?

I recommend this film as the legendary actress Sridevi aced in her character as mom. The story is really riveting, involving both a sense of mystery and a nail biting thriller. The journey of Devki making tough choices in order to seek justice for her daughter keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

Directed by Ravi Udaywar

Lead Actress – Sridevi

Language – Hindi

Movie Name – Queen

Story – Queen is considered one of the popular classics in Bollywood. The story revolves around a 24 year old woman, Rani, who decides to travel alone on her honeymoon when her fiance stops their wedding. She is firm on her decision to walk on the path of the unknown. The story revolves around how she enjoys the surprises that she comes across and what she has learnt from the experiences while exploring and learning.

Why should you watch this film?

If you are someone who loves to walk in the journey of the unknown, then this film is for you! It gives a wonderful message “Life is meant to be lived and you can live the way you want it to be.” The story is very interesting, as one should grab new opportunities and enjoy them, as these opportunities can change your life. The choices you make also play a very important role in life. The girl going on a honeymoon trip alone and exploring foreign cultures and places gives us a sense of excitement. Kangana Ranaut nailed her role in this film.

CAST:-

Directed by – Vikas Bahl

Produced by – Anuraj Kashyap

Lead Actress – Kangana Ranuat

Language – Hindi

Movie Name – Pink

Storyline– Pink is a Legal Thriller film, where three independent women – Meenal, Andrea, and Falak, file an FIR against the boys who molested Meenal for injuring the head of a politician’s nephew. You need to watch the film, to find out whether Deepak Seghal, a retired lawyer, succeeds in bringing justice to the girls.

Why you should watch this film?

This film as brings to light the idea of feminism, which is wrongly understood in the society, while portraying the harsh reality of society. The story is really good and all the actors and actresses, did a phenomenal job in their roles especially, Taapsee Pannu and Amitabh Bachchan.

CAST:-

Directed by Aniruddha Roy

Produced by Ronnie Lahiri, Rashmi Sharma, Sheel Kumar

Lead Actor and Actress – Taapsee Pannu, Amitabh Bachchan

Language – Hindi

Movie Name – Arundhati

Storyline – This is the Telugu Classic Horror film and the story revolves around a young woman who goes back to her native place for her marriage and comes to know that she was reborn to fight against the evil magician spirit Pasupathi. Does she succeed in banishing the spirit to the netherworld?

Why should you watch this film?

If you are someone who likes horror films, then this is a fantastic horror film. The graphics in the film paired with Anushka’s acting, makes the story very interesting and worth watching.

Cast:-

Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna

Produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy

Lead Actress – Anushka

Language – Telugu

Conclusion:

Earlier, films mainly focused on male lead roles and portray female roles as supporting roles. But with the rise in Female- Centric films, the majority of female actors are mainly aiming for female lead roles instead of supporting roles. These films also try to educate the masses about the roles and importance of women in the society and the need to bring down crimes against women. These films also shed light on gender equality and women empowerment in the society.

April 12, 2022

female, Movies

Reviving the art of storytelling: Chitrakathi

The once popular Chitrakathi, storytelling through paintings, is brought back to life by the Gangawane family in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg. Ketki Gadre interviews the last family practicing this art form to delve into their motivations and the supporters who have aided them on this journey. After a long day of trekking the Western Ghats around Bhogwe Beach in Sindhudurg, my luxury resort, Coco Shambhala, suggested an unusual activity – an art class. They agreed to it and invited Chetan Gangavane, a third-generation Chitrakathi artist working to revive this art form. Chitrakathi Art While setting up the art activity, Mr Chetan briefs me about the 11 art forms his community (Thakar) has been involved with for generations. His family currently practices three art forms unique to Maharashtra: String puppetry, Chitrakathi, and Shadow puppetry. “Chitrakathi involves storytelling through art on a 12×15” or 12×18” canvas, which can take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the painting’s intricacy. Traditionally, these paintings depicted scenes from mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, accompanied by live singers playing instruments. Therefore, Chitrakathi artists needed not only painting skills but also the ability to sing and play instruments,” explains Mr. Chetan. The Thakar community, an Adivasi tribe living in the forests, gained recognition for their art from the erstwhile warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He brought them out of forests and closer to towns and provided them opportunities to perform art shows during festivals. In return, the community assisted the king by spreading messages of social enlightenment through their art. The artists earned their livelihood for many years through food or monetary donations. However, over time, attitudes shifted, and people stopped donating food and began treating them with disrespect. The Gangavane family is the last Thakar community to practice this centuries-old art form. The rest gave up with

Arts and Theater

Nurturing Artistic Talent: Sunaina Misra’s Vision for Artiste Culture

In the vibrant world of contemporary art, one name stands out for its unique approach to nurturing and managing artistic talent: Goa-based Sunaina Misra. As the founder of Artiste Culture, Sunaina has revolutionized how artists are managed, helping them navigate the complexities of the art industry. Her agency works directly with artists worldwide, assisting them in making connections and developing the skills needed to elevate their creative careers. Surabhi Goel had the pleasure of sitting down with Sunaina to discuss her background, the origin of Artiste Culture, and her vision for the future. I always grew up in an environment where my mother encouraged me to explore art in various forms, painting or visiting galleries. She wanted me to find my passion, so she enrolled me in different classes, from basketball to art. By age 15, I started working with an artist in Lucknow, helping him in his studio. There, I discovered my knack for organizing and managing artistic tasks, such as typing resumes and basic computer tasks. This experience sparked my interest in art management. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Art and Design Management in Newcastle, which solidified my understanding of the field. After various roles, including working for an art start-up and a museum, COVID-19 hit, leading me to start Artiste Culture. A blend of necessity and passion drove me to create a platform to support artists during uncertain times. The inspiration came from identifying gaps within the industry. Artists often struggled with managing their careers while focusing on their art. I wanted to create a space where artists could focus on creating while we took care of everything else—finding exhibitions, writing citations, and managing logistics. My vision was to build a multicultural and diverse environment that supports artists from all over the world. Over time, Artiste

Arts and Theater

5 Prolific Women Contemporary Indian Artists to Watch for in 2024

In 2023, women artists from India achieved new heights and were lauded worldwide. With Amrita Sher-Gil’s work ‘The Story Teller’ becoming the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold, Google honouring Zarina Hashmi for her life’s work, and Nalini Malani winning the 2023 Kyoto Prize, Indian women artists in both modern and contemporary art are gaining momentum. This year, contemporary Indian women artists continued to wield their creativity as a powerful force, shaping the art scene and contributing to the evolution of societal narratives. With 2024 upon us, the recognition and interest Indian women artists receive will only continue to rise. Sneha Gautam, Senior Vice President at AstaGuru Auction House, lists some eminent women artists whom art enthusiasts and collectors should watch for in this year. Nalini Malani: Among the trailblazers in the contemporary art scene who are making an impact on a global scale is painter and multimedia artist Nalini Malani, recognised for her innovative use of technology and distinctive visual language. Born in Karachi in 1946, she studied at Sir J.J. School of Arts and became one of India’s video art pioneers. Malani’s work often explores themes of feminism, war, and the human condition, challenging viewers to engage with complex issues in new and thought-provoking ways. Her dedication to seeing the artist as an activist and her exploration of womanhood through various media has indelibly impacted India’s contemporary art. Bharti Kher: Influential contemporary Indian artist Bharti Kher was born in London to Indian immigrant parents in 1969. She captivates with her avant-garde creations that transcend traditional boundaries and is best known for works constructed with many bindis. Renowned for her thought-provoking sculptures and installations, Kher often explores themes of identity, mythology, and the female form. With a unique artistic vocabulary, she challenges conventional notions, using unconventional materials to craft

Arts and Theater

Art on Your Fingertips

Rooftop is a community-driven art experiences marketplace App that makes traditional Indian art forms accessible to the world. This App is a one-stop destination for all art needs, which is bridging the gap between Indian artisans and art lovers all over the world. This first-of-its-kind art technology company endeavours to curate art and recreational activities based on traditional art. Bindu Gopal Rao in conversation with the Founder of Rooftop, Kartik Gaggar. Rooftop was started to help the arts and artists. “Whilst travelling I came across so many different indigenous artists that were struggling to create value for their crafts. I was impressed with their skills and the passion with which they continued to love their heritage despite the challenges. When I started Rajasthan Studio, I wanted to bring art lovers closer to the artists and regenerate value for the arts. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, this provided me with an opportunity to revamp and pivot to a digital/online space with Rooftop. This enterprise was a brainchild of long hours of work, tears, and a zeal to make Indian traditional arts mainstream again,” explains Kartik Gaggar, CEO & Founder, of Rooftop. So how does it work? Rooftop works for art lovers and artists. It intends to connect the two and create revenue and value for different art forms scattered around the country. Rooftop onboards artists and experts based on their level of skills and love for their craft. The team record either workshops or courses with them to then market the same to different target audiences ranging from simple art lovers to hardcore artists. They also have subscription plans for people who are passionate about learning and upskilling. “Subscription is a great way to consume art and courses are great as it also gives you a personal connection with the