Female actors in Bollywood are really proving their mettle as artists. They aren’t just “a pretty face” in a “hero ki picture” anymore and we’re finally in a time where powerful roles are being written for women in cinema. While some movies this year put women at the centre of their narrative, others gave us stoic female characters in stories that weren’t even necessarily about them.

1. Radhika Apte – Badlapur

Radhika Apte
Radhika Apte

What a year for Radhika! She’s definitely my girl-crush this year and between Badlapur, Hunterr and Manjhi – I don’t know for sure  which my fave version of Radhika is.

2. Bhumi Pednekar – Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Bhumi Pednekar
Bhumi Pednekar

Debut of the year, hands down! Bhumi came into our lives as Sandhya in Dum Laga Ke Haisha and made us fall in love with the fact that her weight was incidental to her character and not central to it. Of course her post-movie transformation was a talking point all year, but she’s gone on record to say that she has no qualms about putting on weight if the role demands it.

3. Anushka Sharma – NH 10

Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma

Anushka turned producer this year with the rather ambitious NH10. Her performance kept you at the edge of the seat throughout and it was amazing to see her as the “hero” of the film!

4. Kalki Koechlin – Margarita With A Straw

Kalki Koechlin
Kalki Koechlin

Kalki is known to be a “hungry actor” who is always willing to give her all in each performance. No one else could’ve played her role in the film like she did.

5. Priyanka Chopra – Bajirao Mastani

Priyanka Chopra
Source: YouTube.com

I loved PC’s performance in Bajirao Mastani and she proved that she was in no way second to Deepika in the film!

6. Deepika Padukone – EVERYTHING

Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone

Started with Piku, went on to do Tamasha and ended the year fabulously with Bajirao Mastani. Deepika has had yet another glorious year and I know now for sure – Deepika can do no wrong!

7. Kangana Ranaut – Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Tanu Weds Manu Returns
Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Man, Kangana has really been in great form of late. Not only did she reprise Tanu’s role, she gave us Datto – and we’ll forever be indebted to her for that.

8. Shefali Shah – Dil Dhadakne Do

Shefali Shah
Shefali Shah

Dil Dhadakne Do is basically proof that Shefali Shah needs to do more films! PLEASE!

9.  Richa Chadha – Masaan

Masaan
Masaan

Richa Chadha has proven herself as a nuanced performer one too many times for us be surprised anymore. Don’t you think?

10. Tabu – Drishyam

Tabu
Tabu

My love affair with Tabu goes way back. So obviously enough, I get damn excited and fan-girly each time a Tabu movie releases.

Special mentions

Konkona Sen Sharma, Shweta Tripathi, Nushrat Bharucha, Sanah Kapur
Konkona Sen Sharma, Shweta Tripathi, Nushrat Bharucha, Sanah Kapur
  1. Konkona Sen Sharma (Talvar)
  2. Nushrat Bharucha (Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2)
  3. Sanah Kapur (Shandaar)
  4. Shweta Tripathi (Masaan)

Who was your fave? Tell me in the comments below!