Some woman-centric films that left their mark

Mother India
Mehboob Khan’s classic was about Radha (played by Nargis) a poverty-stricken village woman who raises her two sons against all odds.

Sujata
Sujata spoke about the caste system through an untouchable girl,Sujata. It starred Nutan in the pivotal role with Sunil Dutt.

Guddi
Jaya Bhaduri (Bachchan) played a schoolgirl obsessed with a filmstar (Dharmendra) in this Hrishikesh Mukherjee-directed film. For the first time the protagonist was a teenager.

Seeta Aur Geeta
Directed by Ramesh Sippy,Seeta Aur Geeta revolved around identical twins,played by Hema Malini.

Aandhi
Aandhi directed by Gulzar was supposedly based on then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s life,with the stellar role played by Suchitra Sen.

Aakhir Kyon?
Smita Patil portrays a jilted wife who,after her husband betrayal,rebuilds her life to become a famous writer in this J. Om Prakash-directed flick.

Mirch Masala
Ketan Mehta’s Mirch Masala that starred Smita Patil in the central role,threw light on the plight of women in rural areas. 

Khoon Bhari Maang
Rakesh Roshan depicted the strength of a woman. Rekha played the role of a widow who fights back against a two timing husband.

Chaalbaaz
Pankaj Parashar’s Chaalbaaz had Sridevi playing a double role. The actress is still remembered for the film.

Arth
Arth is Mahesh Bhatt’s best- remembered film about a woman’s (Shabana Azmi) stirring search for her identity. Smita Patil plays an obsessive lover.

Damini
How a woman fights against the society for justice for another woman. Meenakshi Seshadri as the central character. Rajkumar Santoshi directs.

Fire
Fire directed by Deepa Mehta and starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das was the first Hindi film on lesbianism.

Astitva
Written and directed by Mahesh Manjrekar,Astitva is about a woman,brilliantly played by Tabu,trying to find her identity outside her marriage.

Mrityudand
The plot of Mrityudand revolves around three village women and the adversities they face. One of Prakash Jha’s best films.

Lajja
Rajkumar Santoshi’s Lajja starring Rekha,Madhuri Dixit,Manisha Koirala and Mahima Chaudhary is about the plight of women from different stratas of society in India.