In our country and in many countries around the world, there has traditionally been and to some extent still is a male-dominated society where women are not given equal status. However, it is quite heartening to see that these things are slowly changing, and everyone is increasingly getting their rightful equality. A significant factor in this change is film industry, which has produced some excellent must watch women-led movies in recent years.
The Bollywood has finally started giving a lot of opportunities to women. Now, they are not just in side roles or supporting casts but are at the center of the movie. In the past, movies based on women did not do very well at the box office. However, in recent times, it has been observed that such content is being welcomed on the big screen with open arms. Moreover, these kinds of movies are doing very well in terms of business, which also reflects a positive change in society.
15 Must Watch Women-Led Movies of Bollywood
Must Watch Women-Led Movies
1. Neerja
First on the list of Must Watch Women-Led Bollywood Movies is the biographical movie ‘Neerja,’ which is based on the very brave “Neerja Bhanot.” She sacrificed her life while saving 359 passengers on a hijacked flight in 1986.
- Cast – Sonam Kapoor
- Director- Ram Madhvani
- Story- Saiwyn Quadras
- Budget- ₹20 crore
- Collection- ₹135 crore
- IMDb- 7.6
- OTT- Disney+ Hotstar
- Release – 19 February 2016
2. Pink
The movie “Pink” is nothing less than a masterpiece, where the story of three young women is portrayed. They unknowingly get involved in a crime, and then a retired lawyer steps forward to defend them.
- Cast – Amitabh Bachchan, Vijay Varma, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari
- Director- Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
- Story- Shoojit Sircar, Ritesh Shah, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
- Budget- ₹30 crore
- Collection- ₹158 crore
- IMDb- 7.6
- OTT- Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, Prime Video
- Release – 16 September 2016
3. Laapataa Ladies
“Laapataa Ladies” is a family comedy-drama movie where two newly married young women get separated from their respective husbands. How they meet and what happens next in the movie will be very enjoyable to watch, and in the end, it will also make you emotional.
- Cast – Ravi Kishan, Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta
- Director- Kiran Rao
- Story- Biplab Goswami
- Budget- ₹4 crore
- Collection- ₹24 crore
- IMDb- 8.5
- OTT- Netflix
- Release – 1 March 2024
4. Lipstick Under My Burkha
Some women, extremely troubled by a very conservative society, are searching for freedom for themselves. Now, what they end up doing in this quest for freedom is something to watch in this comedy movie.
- Cast – Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak, Aahana Kumra, Plabita Borthakur
- Director- Alankrita Shrivastava
- Story- Alankrita Shrivastava
- Budget- ₹6 crore
- Collection- ₹27 crore
- IMDb- 6.8
- OTT- Prime Video
- Release – 21 July 2017
5. Kahaani
Vidya Balan has done an amazing job portraying a pregnant woman in this movie. She comes from London to Kolkata to search for her missing husband. However, everyone she asks about her husband outright denies ever having met him.
This must watch women-led movies ‘Kahaani’ is a Masterpiece.
- Cast – Vidya Balan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Parambrata Chatterjee
- Director- Sujoy Ghosh
- Story- Sujoy Ghosh, Advaita Kala
- Budget- ₹8 crore
- Collection- ₹100 crore
- IMDb- 8.1
- OTT- Prime Video
- Release – 9 March 2012
6. Good Luck Jerry
You will really enjoy this very splendid comedy movie. It tells the story of an innocent girl who somehow slips into the dangerous world of cocaine smuggling.
- Cast – Janhvi Kapoor, Mita Vashisht, Jaswant Singh Dalal, Deepak Dobriyal
- Director- Siddharth Sen
- Story- Pankaj Matta
- IMDb- 5.5
- OTT- Disney+ Hotstar
- Release – 29 July 2022
7. Fashion
The 2008 film “Fashion” tells the story of a girl from a small town who pursues her dream of becoming a supermodel and succeeds. However, shortly after her success, she realizes that her new glamorous life comes with a very high cost.
- Cast – Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse
- Director- Madhur Bhandarkar
- Story- Ajay Monga
- Budget- ₹20 crore
- Collection- ₹40 crore
- IMDb- 6.9
- OTT- Netflix, Prime Video
- Release – 29 October 2008
8. Queen
This story is based on a girl named Rani from Delhi. After her wedding is called off, she sets out alone for her honeymoon, and you’ll really enjoy watching this comedy movie.
- Cast – Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Lisa Haydon
- Director- Vikas Bahl
- Story- Vikas Bahl
- Budget- ₹23 crore
- Collection- ₹95 crore
- IMDb- 8.1
- OTT- Netflix, JioCinema
- Release – 7 March 2014
9. Crew
This is the story of three air hostesses who work for Kohinoor Airlines, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, and they haven’t been paid salaries for many months. Then they find out that the flight head, Mr. Rajvanshi, smuggles gold on every trip. So, these three also start doing the same, which puts them under the suspicion of customs officers.
- Cast – Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon, Diljit Dosanjh
- Director- Rajesh A Krishnan
- Story- Nidhi Mehra, Mehul Suri
- Budget- ₹75 crore
- Collection- ₹158 crore
- IMDb- 6.1
- OTT- Netflix
- Release – 29 March 2024
10. Mary Kom
The biopic of the highly successful Indian boxer must watch women-led movies “Mary Kom” is quite thrilling. It depicts her hard work and sacrifices to become a successful boxer.
- Cast – Priyanka Chopra, Darshan Kumaar
- Director- Omung Kumar
- Budget- ₹38 crore
- Collection- ₹87 crore
- IMDb- 6.8
- OTT- Netflix
- Release – 5 September 2014
11. English Vinglish
This story is about an innocent housewife who, almost every day, has to endure taunts from her family because she doesn’t understand or speak English well. Then one day, she goes to Manhattan to visit her sister and joins an English learning class, where she meets many new people. They tell her not to worry about the narrow-mindedness of her family and to value herself.
- Cast – Sridevi
- Director- Gauri Shinde
- Story- Gauri Shinde
- Budget- ₹10-12 crore
- Collection- ₹102 crore
- IMDb- 7.8
- OTT- JioCinema, ZEE5, Prime Video
- Release – 5 October 2012
12. The Dirty Picture
“The Dirty Picture,” based on the life of South Indian actress Silk Smitha, portrays the love story between an actress and a director.
- Cast – Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor
- Director- Milan Luthria
- Story- Rajat Aroraa
- Budget- ₹18 crore
- Collection- ₹117 crore
- IMDb- 6.6
- OTT- JioCinema, Prime Video, YouTube
- Release – 2 December 2011
13. Phobia
This is one of the best must watch women-led movies “Phobia” is one of the most underrated Bollywood movies. The story of this psychological thriller featuring Radhika Apte will send shivers down your spine. It portrays the tale of a young woman who becomes severely traumatized by a past event and is unable to leave her home. Strange and eerie things start happening to her within the confines of her own house, leaving her terrified. And when the final secrets are revealed, you will be left astonished.
- Cast – Radhika Apte
- Director- Pavan Kirpalani
- Story- Pavan Kirpalani, Pooja Ladha Surti, Arun Sukumar
- Collection- ₹3 crore
- IMDb- 6.8
- OTT- ZEE5, Prime Video, YouTube
- Release – 27 May 2016
Also Read – Radhika Apte’s Best Movies to Watch Online
14. Padmaavat
“Padmaavat” takes you back to the 13th century, where Queen Padmavati leads a content and happy married life with her king. However, then Allauddin Khilji becomes enamored by her beauty and, influenced by the words of his companions, decides to attack Chittorgarh.
- Cast – Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari
- Director- Sanjay Leela Bhansali
- Story- Malik Muhammad Jayasi
- Budget- ₹190 crore
- Collection- ₹572 crore
- IMDb- 7.1
- OTT- Prime Video
- Release – 25 January 2018
15. Gangubai Kathiawadi
Last one on the list of ‘Must Watch Women-Led Movies’ tells the story of a Mafia Queen known as Gangubai Kathiawadi, who elopes to Bombay with her boyfriend, dreaming of a career in the film industry. However, upon reaching Bombay, her dreams are shattered when she is sold to the brothel of Sheila Masi. With no choice but to stay, Gangubai becomes a prostitute but eventually becomes a staunch advocate for women, rallying them against Sheila Masi and earning widespread respect. It’s a compelling tale of her efforts to uplift the women’s community.
Must Read – Most Awaited Indian Movies 2024
- Cast – Alia Bhatt, Vijay Raaz, Shantanu Maheshwari
- Director- Sanjay Leela Bhansali
- Story- Hussain Zaidi
- Budget- ₹180 crore
- Collection- ₹210 crore
- IMDb- 7.8
- OTT- Netflix
- Release – 25 February 2022
Must Watch Women-Led Movies: Wasn’t this list really good?