Here at Kahani Digital, we pride ourselves on being a predominantly women of color run company. We are all ambitious and talented in our own right and are advocates for intersectional feminists. It is only fitting that we take a look back at the movies we grew up on as adolescent girls and shout out the bad-ass female characters that were the feminists who influenced who we are today. So in no particular order because all of them are absolute queens in their own right, here is a breakdown of the best feminist Bollywood heroes from the 2000s!

Poo from Khabi Kushi Khabi Gham

Poo walked so the girls from Euphoria could run and you cannot convince me otherwise! From her sparkly crop tops, matching lipstick and eyeshadow, and faux fur, Poo’s looks were ON POINT and she was truly the original IT girl inspo that is coming back in trends today. However, there are deeper levels to Poo than just how glam her morning routine is. She wore what she wanted, resisted her more traditional sister and brother in law’s rules AND wasn’t afraid to be vocal about how much she loved herself! She also always made sure she was in charge when it came to boys - she knew she was a hot commodity and didn’t let anyone forget it!  In the 2000s she may have come across as the silly, vapid character but in 2022, we know better and recognize her for the feminist queen she is.

Janki from Lajja

Once again, this is a film filled with feminist heros as that is the main subject matter of the story - the plight that women have to go through in conservative India. However, we’re picking Janki because she was already established as a trailblazer from the beginning. When you first meet her in the film, you learn she is a pregnant, working theater actress who really just does what she wants. She had a lover and her pregnancy was out of wedlock which she had no reservations about. She also defends herself when her reputation is slandered and does not back down. She then ends up producing her own dance show, where all the proceeds go to various women’s charities in India! We appreciate her sticking to her choices no matter what ill will society had towards her about them, as well as using her platform to help those who were in her position.

Preeti Sagarwal from Chak De India!

First of all, let’s just say that this movie about a female field hockey team DEFINITELY has more than one feminist icon. But since we have to narrow it down to one, it is none other than Preeti, because her reality was very similar to what some South Asian women still go through today. She was an incredible athlete but was still at the mercy of her father and fiance - both of whom had no intention of including her in wedding planning, which begged her to ask the question, “What about my career?” We love a woman who prioritizes her career, especially in a predominantly male dominated industry like professional sports! She also clashed with Komal, another feisty player, but at the end of the story, the two came together to help win the final match; thus showing us that women can support one another in the same field, instead of competing and backstabbing each other.

Ambar from Salaam Namaste

Ambar was definitely a woman before her time. She was sex positive and owned her choices. She rejected quite a few marriage proposals and decided to do a one-year foreign exchange program in AUSTRALIA and then proceeded to stay and become a SURGEON! But that’s not it…on top of that, she paid for her own school by being a bad-ass DJ at a local radio station!  Talk about guts, girl! Then, when it came to her love life, she went ahead and moved in with someone before marriage, got pregnant and chose to have a baby - with or without the father. She stood her ground when it came to her decisions, regardless of conservative societal pressure and showed us early on you definitely don’t need a man to live the life you want!

Chandramukhi from Devdas

Not only is this a feminist icon from 2000s Bollywood (from the 2002 adaptation of Devdas), but also a feminist icon from the 1900s India, which is the time Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel takes place. Chandramukhi is a courtesan with a heart of gold. Her feminism does not stem from her profession nor sweet disposition, but from her empathy and dignity. She stands up for herself and exposes a man when he tries to humiliate her publicly - while being one of her best clients who visits her brothel the most, which is exactly what she announces. She is also able to form a friendship with Paro, the woman who is also in love with Devdas. She understood that Devdas was in love with Paro but that never caused her to have any ill-will towards either of them. In a time and place where women like her were at the mercy of society, she never let it impact her character, which is the basis of what feminism means today.

Obviously, this just scratches the surface of feminist characters in Bollywood films, as there definitely is no shortage of them! Spanning the decades, what are some of your favorite female characters or movies that shaped your feminist views? DM us on instagram or submit your own editorial on an influential character or film - email our editor Swati, at swati.chakraborty@kahanidigital.com!

Submit your own editorial!