Return of the ‘heroine’ in Hindi cinema

The recently released Rani Mukherji-Vidya Balan starrer has clearly broken the January jinx at the box-office as the film continues to garner much-appreciation on all circuits.

But more than a film breaking the jinx, trade analysts and industrywallahs point out that it was more surprising for a heroine-centric film to do so. “The film completely rode on the shoulders of the actresses. It’s the start of an exciting phase for Bollywood actresses,” feels trade analyst Amod Mehra, who adds that interestingly, the year will see many more heroine-centric films hitting the big screen.

The most looked forward to amongst them are Priyanka Chopra’s Saat Khoon Maaf that will have Priyanka playing a female Bluebeard, as well as Vidya’s action thriller Kahani  that’ll have the heroine plot to avenge her husband’s death. Milan Luthria’s Dirty Picture based on South siren Silk Smitha’s life, is yet another film that will revolve around the lead actress.

Even one of Kangna Ranaut’s forthcoming film is touted to be more heroine-oriented than hero. In fact, reports say that the film’s title was changed from Manu weds Tanu to Tanu weds Manu as it is more to do with Kangna’s character.

Says trade analyst Komal Nahta, “But what’s more noticeable is the fact that none of these films are the regular run-of-the-mill films that center only on women-based issues. They are not feminist in nature nor are they trying to drive a point home,” says Komal.

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli says that the hero-heroine equation on screen is anyways undergoing a radical change. “Most films nowadays reflect contemporary society that sees women being an equal to male counterparts and calling the shots. And it’s definitely encouraging to see that there are an increasingly high number of takers for heroine-oriented films as well.”