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Rediff.com  » Movies » Juhi or Shabana? Vote for your fave Lady Politician in Bollywood!
This article was first published 10 years ago

Juhi or Shabana? Vote for your fave Lady Politician in Bollywood!

February 04, 2014 08:58 IST

Image: Juhi Chawla in Gulaab Gang

Take a look at the most talked-about lady politicians of Bollywood.

Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country, said Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of United Kingdom.

While it’s predominantly still a man’s world in politics and movies, more and more women are venturing out to tilt the ratio in a fair direction.

Not too many films with a political theme get made in Bollywood but when they do, it’s heartening to see one of our actresses essay a sharply written stateswoman.

From shrewd to spirited, here’s a look at 10 of the most talked-about lady politicians of celluloid. Go on and vote for your favourite portrayal at the end of this slide show.

Juhi Chawla, Gulaab Gang

Though Soumik Sen’s upcoming feminist drama is yet to hit screens, its already in news for presenting its two main leads -- Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla in a completely different light.

While Madhuri slips into an action-packed mode to lead a pack of women vigilantes, Juhi sheds her humourous image to play a conniving politician.

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Katrina Kaif, Rajneeti

Image: Katrina Kaif in Rajneeti

Often argued an actress with more grit than Katrina Kaif was better suited for the role of Indu in Prakash Jha’s Mahabharata merged with dynastic politics, Raajneeti benefited her career immensely.

In the film, she emerges from feeble pawn to a symbol of hope when power falls in the right hands with idealism as flawless as her neatly draped sari.

Shabana Azmi, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola

Image: Shabana Azmi in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola

Few can convey charisma and guile like the inimitable Shabana Azmi.

The veteran actress takes charge in Vishal Bharadwaj’s ably written satire to play the power-drunk politician Chaudhri Devi as the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Sonam Kapoor, Raanjhanaa

Image: Sonam Kapoor in Raanjhanaa

With Raanjhanaa, the significance of active student politics comes into forefront represented by a somber Sonam Kapoor.

Even though it’s essentially a love story, the film shifts tracks dramatically to convey the ruthless workings of an indignant Sonam planning her revenge by using politics as both her alibi and tool.

Shabana Azmi, Godmother

Image: Shabana Azmi in Godmother

Vinay Shukla’s 1999 Godmother is hailed as one of the best performances of Shabana Azmi’s later career. And with good reason.

The multiple National Award-winner witnesses her inspiring metamorphosis from a modest farmer’s wife to a revered, influential politician in Gujarat.

Supriya Pathak, Shanghai

Image: Supriya Pathak in Shanghai

She may be busy gathering accolades and awards for her unkind turn as Deepika Padukone’s mafia mommy in Goliyon Ka Raasleela-Ram Leela but Supriya Pathak knocked it out of the park as the blatantly corrupt Chief Minister in Shanghai.

Interestingly, Dibakar Banerjee’s political thriller reunites Pathak with her Bazaar co-star Farooque Shaikh in an equally despicable character.

Raveena Tandon, Satta

Image: Raveena Tandon, Vallabh Vyas and Atul kulkarni in Satta

Madhur Bhandarkar is known for making woman-centric films. And Satta, while no Chandni Bar, ranks among his better works.

Satta stars Raveena Tandon in the role of a feisty woman married into a deceitful political family, her subsequent rise to power and meeting challenges of triumphing in a murky field with nothing except the conviction of her beliefs to rely on.

Rohini Hattangady, David

Image: Rohini Hattangady in David

In Bejoy Nambiar’s David, which chronicles the lives of three young men of the same name in different time frame and locations, Rohini Hattangadi leaves quite an impression even in a brief role.

Modeled around staunch Hindu fundamentalists in various political parties, Hattangadi plays a hateful neta opposing a Christian family man of promoting religious conversion.

Suhasini Mulay, Hu Tu Tu

Image: Suhasini Mulay and Tabu in Hu Tu Tu

Director Gulzar’s Hu Tu Tu may not have achieves the success of his previous films but it’s no less relevant and paints a hard-hitting picture of India’s turbulent political climate.

Here, the talented Suhasini Mulay essays a self-seeking, calculating and dishonest Chief Minister who will go to any extent to fulfill her her professional aspiration even if completely alienates her from her immediate family.

Suchitra Sen, Aandhi

Image: Suchitra Sen in Aandhi

Before Hu Tu Tu, Gulzar directed Suchitra Sen in one of her landmark films, Aandhi. Her character, reportedly inspired by former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s life, led to controversy and temporary ban.

Unlike other films, Aandhi is a sensitive, intimate account of a woman forced to sacrifice her personal life in order to fulfill her role as a dedicated, duty-bound politician.

Juhi or Shabana? Vote for your fave Lady Politician in Bollywood!


So what are you waiting for? Vote now!