As Babli Bouncer Releases, Here's A Look At Physically Strong Female Characters In Hindi Films

As Tamannaah Bhatia starrer Babli Bouncer releases today, it reminds us of several other physically strong female characters in Hindi films that left a lasting impression on the audience with their performances amidst a strong narrative. With the definition of strong being reinvented now through female characters, Hindi films have come a long way in putting women forward when it comes to delivering physical strength.

Physically strong female characters in Hindi films have been a welcoming phenomenon lately. There have been films that have showcased strong female characters with powerful physical capabilities, and the strength that these characters have portrayed on screen has primarily paved the way for their films' monumental success.

Suggested reading: 5 Strong Female Characters Priyanka Chopra Played Brilliantly On Screen

A look at some physically strong female characters

Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukherjee)

Rani Mukherjee's portrayal of Crime Branch Cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in both Mardaani and Mardaani 2 was a game-changer if we talk about a film resting on the shoulder of a physically strong female character. Mardaani, directed by Pradeep Sarkar, is set against the backdrop of a child trafficking case, with Roy leading the investigation and fighting the goons with utmost strength. There's a scene towards the end of the film where Roy fights the antagonist, and hands down it's one the best fight scenes in cinema involving a woman. Mukherjee's raw persona brought the female Khaki to another light with her bold avatar and no-nonsense attitude. 

Mary Kom (Priyanka Chopra)

Olympian and world boxing champion Mary Kom is one of our nation's most celebrated sports icons. She is also one of the strongest sportspersons in the country given her record of competing on the world stage for decades now. The film Mary Kom successfully gave a tribute to the champion by portraying utmost physical strength through the lead Priyanka Chopra. Chopra's character showcased grit, strength and power in the film whether it was her training, matches, or world championships. There is a part in the film where Mary Kom returns to boxing after a long break, the return brings with her strength like never before, and that's where the film gains maximum adulation.

Rashmi Rocket (Taapsee Pannu)

Rashmi Rocket, apart from its extremely significant message, was also a lesson in fitness. Pannu played the role of Rashmi Rocket perfectly, an athlete who realised her physical strength amidst finding her own identity. The potency Pannu's character portrayed was tremendous given the nature of the film, and the fact that Rashmi Rocket also called Rashmi Chubber was an Indian track and field athlete. The constant fight with her own performance and drive to improve her running, had the character showcase strength as the master skill to success when it comes to the race to the finish line.

Arfa (Anushka Sharma)

In a film as magnificent as Sultan with Salman Khan in the lead, Anushka Sharma's assertive role as Aarfa proved to be a huge shift when it came to physically strong female characters being cast opposite male characters. Aarfa is a national-level wrestling champion, who beats several competitors including males. She goes on to win championships and showcases her muscle resilience and mental strength in the akhadas.

Gunjan Saxena (Janhvi Kapoor)

Air Force Officer Gunjan Saxena was the first woman to fly a combat plane and was a part of the operations held at the Kargil War. For a personality like Saxena's to be portrayed on the skill required both mental and physical strength that Janhvi Kapoor effectively brought onscreen with Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl. With the high-power action, tough training, and most of all, the war itself, the character was as physically strong as it could get. Kapoor played the character suitably, a role where the woman lead is the ultimate hero, portraying her physical strength throughout the film's course.

Babli (Tamannaah Bhatia)

When Bhatia recently took to social media to share the news of her film's release, the trailer and the shots seemed intriguing because this was a never seen avatar a female actor was playing. The recently released Babli Bouncer explores the life of female pehelwaan (bodybuilders) amidst the male bodybuilders. The character in itself appears to be massively physically strong.  The character Babli takes up a job as a bouncer, a role never seen so significantly before in Hindi films. The character shows ultimate strength whether it is on an akhada (fighting arena) or at the club. The never seen avatar of Bhati is interesting because the character is bold, strong and doesn't care a dime about the social expectations of how a woman should behave.