Over the last couple of years, a significant shift has been witnessed in the Indian cinema. While once it was believed that only a male star can turn a movie into a blockbuster, today this formula doesn’t exist anymore. Being at the forefront now, Bollywood actresses are taking up strong and meaty roles in order to be ultimate voice of change. Celebrating these powerful women, we list down 5 top actresses who stole the show with their knockout performances over the years.
1. YAMI GAUTAM
Ever since her dreamy Bollywood debut with ‘Vicky Donor’ in 2012, Yami Gautam has managed to strike the right chord with the audiences. In her career spanning over eight years, Yami has successfully established herself as one of the most versatile and talented actors in the industry today. The diva is being credited for various potent performances including ‘Kaabil (2017)’, ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)’, ‘Bala (2019)’ and her recent release ‘Ginny Weds Sunny (2020)’. Meanwhile, ready to take box-office by storm, Yami Gautam has 8 releases lined up this year. Taking a note of her recent performances, the diva seems to be in no mood to stop and continue surprising cinelovers with her breakthrough performances. Yami’s upcoming projects include spooky adventure comedy ‘Bhoot Police’, ‘Lapata’, ‘A Thursday’ and ‘Dasvi’.
2. PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS
Destiny’s favourite child and a celebrated name globally, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been breaking glass ceilings for the longest of time. Her global superstardom is proof that she’s unstoppable and why she enjoys a massive fanbase. In her two-decade long Bollywood career, Chopra has delivered several pathbreaking performances including ‘Aitraaz (2004)’, ‘Fashion (2008)’, ‘Kaminey (2009)’, ‘7 Khoon Maaf (2011)’, ‘Agneepath (2012)’, ‘Barfi! (2012)’, ‘Mary Kom (2014)’, ‘Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)’, ‘Bajirao Mastani (2015)’, ‘The Sky Is Pink (2019)’ and latest global release ‘The White Tiger (2021). The National and Filmfare Award winning actress will be next seen in ‘Matrix 4’, ‘Text For You’ and ‘Citadel’.
3. ALIA BHATT
Hailed as one of the most bankable new age actors in the industry today, Alia Bhatt is known to be a directors favourite. Over the years, Alia has delivered some extraordinary performances in her career. Right from Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Highway (2014), ‘Udta Punjab (2016)’ to Gauri Shinde’s ‘Dear Zindagi (2016), Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Raazi (2018) and Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Gully Boy (2019)’ – Bhatt has surprised both, the critics and the audiences with her every performance. After making her debut with ‘Student of the Year’ in 2012, the multi-talented actress has grown to become a household name in a span of just eight years. Her upcoming releases include Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, ‘Brahmastra’, S. S. Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’ and Karan Johar’s ambitious project ‘Takht’.
4. ANUSHKA SHARMA
Known for always giving something new to the audiences, Anushka Sharma has time and again won hearts with author-backed roles. The actress who turned producer with ‘NH 10 (2015)’, one of her most impactful on-screen characters, has delivered various powerful performances including ‘Sultan (2016)’, ‘Sui Dhaaga (2018)’ and ‘Zero (2018)’. Anushka will be next seen in the biopic of the former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, Jhulam Goswami.
5. TAAPSEE PANNU
Think Taapsee Pannu and you know we are talking about a stellar performer. The Filmfare Award winning actress made a lot of noise with her 2020 release ‘Thappad’ which undoubtedly is her most potent performance. She is also known for her performance in films like ‘Saand Ki Aankh (2019)’, ‘Manmarziyaan (2018)’, ‘Mulk (2018)’ and ‘Pink (2016)’.
