Women are an inspiration. Be it in real life or fiction. People want to be badass as Roza Diaz, Independent as Rachel Green, and strong as Donna Paulsen. But then why do we forget about Amrita in Thappad and Manju in Juice? If they had not spoken against the wrong, it wouldn't have inspired women in real life to raise their voices against what should not have happened in the first place.
A woman's perspective matters a lot when it comes to showing a great female character onscreen. We all loved Sehmat's fierceness in Raazi but it wouldn't have come out this bright if not seen through Meghna Gulzar's eyes. Or one of the very first films to talk about a sexual relationship between sister in laws, Fire, was a challenge taken up by Deepa Mehta. She faced accusations and criticism for bringing up such a topic on big screens. What if she had given up or what if she had ordered to take down the movie on the first day itself? It probably would not have been an example to some aspiring filmmakers of today's generation.
Talking about fiction and the characters who inspire, my favorite one is Aisha from Wake Up Sid. She just had something in her that attracted me to how strong she was. In 2008, stepping into a new phase, a new city with no contacts and big dreams wasn't an easy job, and yet she made her way through the crowd. For the first time itself, I wanted to exchange my seats with Sid to be her roommate. I am completely different from what she is but just the idea of being independent, away from home, go carefree, following dreams, and having no problem with a guy staying under the same roof made me fall for her. For me, she was a BOSS LADY with whom I can dance like crazy on Bollywood songs (Those who know me knows I am a Bollywood keeda).
Aisha was a master of her own choices and Konkana Sen Sharma has made sure that she brings out a strong woman or man hidden inside of the audience to step out from their comfort zone and explore the world.
For a long time, it was difficult for Indian cinema to dish out new content that strongly supported women-centric movies because the characters were either targeted for being modern and having a straightforward attitude or were loved for being acquiescent. However, after 2005, the tables turned and people started accepting the personalities women possessed on screen. Directors have given us movies like Lipstick Under My Burkha, No One Killed Jessica, Piku, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, Hellaro, and many more that were goals. Not only women filmmakers but also directors like Shoojit Sircar, Anubhav Sinha, Abhishek Shah along others have done a phenomenal job shaping a feminine character in such as way that everybody would look up to.
We appreciate the beauty on screen but the mastermind behind the same is usually forgotten. We need to celebrate the people who bring us the stories that are long lost or not talked about much through movies.
