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International Women's Day 2026: Bollywood female anti-heroes who ruled on screen

Updated On: 07 March, 2026 02:43 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Every once in a while, Indian cinema has taken a break from the badass, bone-breaking male heroes and villains and brought forward a female "anti-heroine" who lacks conventional heroic qualities and is driven by ambition, vengeance, or survival to make choices that are ethically questionable or outright. The evolution reflects a shift where women are finally allowed to be flawed, angry, and unapologetic. As we mark International Women's Day, here's looking at some of the most engaging and flawless female anti-heroes of Indian cinema. 

Female anti-heroes

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Female anti-heroes
Shweta Tripathi in Mirzapur
Shweta Tripathi transforms from a book-loving, idealistic college student to a gritty, gun-wielding leader in the series after her sister is killed.

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Shweta Tripathi in Mirzapur

Shweta Tripathi transforms from a book-loving, idealistic college student to a gritty, gun-wielding leader in the series after her sister is killed.

Urmila Matondkar in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya
Rai, played by Urmila Matondkar, is an intense, pampered, and socially isolated woman who falls in love and gets obsessed with Jai.

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Urmila Matondkar in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya

Rai, played by Urmila Matondkar, is an intense, pampered, and socially isolated woman who falls in love and gets obsessed with Jai.

Aishwarya Rai in Ponniyin Selvan: II 
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays a calculative queen who manipulates entire empires for her personal gain and revenge.

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Aishwarya Rai in Ponniyin Selvan: II

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays a calculative queen who manipulates entire empires for her personal gain and revenge.

Vidya Balan in Kahaani
Vidya played a six-month pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata. The climax reveals her as a calculated anti-heroine.

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Vidya Balan in Kahaani

Vidya played a six-month pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata. The climax reveals her as a calculated anti-heroine.

Sakshi Tanwar in Mai
Sakshi starts as a quintessential homemaker and nurse but descends into the dark underbelly of crime, money laundering, and medical scams after her daughter’s death,

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Sakshi Tanwar in Mai

Sakshi starts as a quintessential homemaker and nurse but descends into the dark underbelly of crime, money laundering, and medical scams after her daughter’s death,

Kajol in Gupt 
Kajol portrayed an obsessive lover who is eventually revealed to be the psychopathic serial killer in the film.

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Kajol in Gupt

Kajol portrayed an obsessive lover who is eventually revealed to be the psychopathic serial killer in the film.

Rekha in Khoon Bhari Maang
Rekha's character undergoes a literal and moral transformation into a relentless anti-hero to take down those who betrayed her.

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Rekha in Khoon Bhari Maang

Rekha's character undergoes a literal and moral transformation into a relentless anti-hero to take down those who betrayed her.

Wamiqa Gabbi in Khuifya
Wamiqa's character undergoes a drastic transformation, shifting from a naive housewife to an active participant in an international espionage mission after knowing her husband is a mole leaking secrets.

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Wamiqa Gabbi in Khuifya

Wamiqa's character undergoes a drastic transformation, shifting from a naive housewife to an active participant in an international espionage mission after knowing her husband is a mole leaking secrets.

Bulbbul (2020)
A child bride, played by Triptii Dimri, grows into an enigmatic woman ruling over her household, hiding her painful past, as supernatural murders of men plague her village.

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Bulbbul (2020)

A child bride, played by Triptii Dimri, grows into an enigmatic woman ruling over her household, hiding her painful past, as supernatural murders of men plague her village.

Sushmita Sen in Aarya
Sushmita Sen plays a mother who, while trying to protect her family, evolves into a formidable and cold-blooded leader of a drug syndicate after her husband is killed.

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Sushmita Sen in Aarya

Sushmita Sen plays a mother who, while trying to protect her family, evolves into a formidable and cold-blooded leader of a drug syndicate after her husband is killed.

Alia Bhatt in Darlings
Alia Bhatt plays Badrunissa, a woman who kidnaps and tortures her abusive husband to teach him a lesson.

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Alia Bhatt in Darlings

Alia Bhatt plays Badrunissa, a woman who kidnaps and tortures her abusive husband to teach him a lesson.

Samara Tijori in Daldal
Samara delivers a breakout performance as Anita Acharya, a character who serves as a dark mirror to the show's protagonist, DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar).

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Samara Tijori in Daldal

Samara delivers a breakout performance as Anita Acharya, a character who serves as a dark mirror to the show's protagonist, DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar).

Kriti Sanon in Do Patti
Kriti portrays identical twin sisters, Saumya and Shailee, who have contrasting personalities. She played an anti-hero after the former's volatile, abusive husband is killed.

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Kriti Sanon in Do Patti

Kriti portrays identical twin sisters, Saumya and Shailee, who have contrasting personalities. She played an anti-hero after the former's volatile, abusive husband is killed.

Photo of Day

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

PM Narendra Modi joins hands with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and others during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

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