Bollywood, for decades, portrayed women in defined, predictable roles, either as the nurturing mother, the devoted wife, or the sacrificial lover. The idea of a female villain was largely unexplored, with male actors dominating negative roles. However, as Indian cinema evolved, so did its portrayal of female antagonists. From vampish, morally ambiguous women like Bindu and Lalita Pawar to full-fledged villains like Kajol in ‘Gupt’ and Priyanka Chopra in ‘7 Khoon Maaf’, Bollywood has gradually embraced women in darker, more complex roles.
The Era of Grey Characters: Bindu & Lalita Pawar
During the golden era of Hindi cinema (1950s-70s), actresses were not cast as outright villains but were given grey shades. Lalita Pawar, for example, gained notoriety for playing the stern, scheming mother-in-law in several films. While she was not a classic villain, her roles were often in direct opposition to the protagonist, making her a formidable antagonist.
Similarly, Bindu redefined the image of the vamp. She was not a traditional villain but represented the ‘other woman’ who threatened the heroine’s happiness. In films like ‘Kati Patang’ (1970) and ‘Hawa Hawai’, Bindu’s characters were seductive, manipulative, and self-serving. Yet, she was never the mastermind or the ultimate threat; rather, she was a disruptor within the larger framework of morality.
The Transition: Exploring Female Villains
By the 1980s and 1990s, Bollywood began experimenting with female characters who were not just morally ambiguous but downright evil. This shift was significant because it challenged the long-held notion that women could only be victims or seductresses in negative roles.
Kajol’s portrayal of Isha in ‘Gupt’ (1997) was a turning point. The film built suspense around the identity of the killer, ultimately revealing that the seemingly innocent and romantic Isha was the murderer. This was groundbreaking because it shattered the stereotype that women in Bollywood films could not be calculating and ruthless. Kajol’s performance was chilling, proving that female villains could be just as menacing as their male counterparts.
The Modern Femme Fatale: Priyanka Chopra in 7 Khoon Maaf to Bipasha in ‘Jism’
In the 2000s and beyond, Bollywood embraced female villains in an even more nuanced manner. Priyanka Chopra’s portrayal of Susanna in ‘7 Khoon Maaf’ (2011) showcased a woman who was not just evil for the sake of it but was driven by her own motives and traumas. Unlike previous female antagonists, Susanna was both the protagonist and the villain of the story. Her serial murders were a result of her tragic relationships, making her character layered and complex.
This shift highlighted an important change in Bollywood’s storytelling, villains were no longer just black and white. Female villains, in particular, were given depth, motivations, and arcs that made them compelling rather than caricatures.
Bipasha Basu’s portrayal of Sonia Khanna in this erotic thriller redefined the femme fatale archetype in Indian cinema. Bipasha’s sultry yet sinister performance made ‘Jism’ a cult classic.
Industry’s Shift Towards Broader Spectrum
The evolution of female villains in Bollywood reflects the industry's broader shift toward nuanced storytelling. From the morally grey characters of Bindu and Lalita Pawar to the outright villainy of Kajol in ‘Gupt’ and Priyanka Chopra in ‘Aitraaz’ or ‘7 Khoon Maaf’ or Vidya Balan in ‘Ishqiya’, women have finally been acknowledged as formidable antagonists. As Bollywood continues to evolve, we can expect even more powerful female villains who challenge traditional norms and redefine grey areas on screen.
Image courtesy:
Nariman Films (Don)
Mukta Arts (Aitraaz)
Fish Eye Network [P] Ltd and Shreya Creations (Jism)
Shemaroo Entertainment and Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures Pvt Ltd. (Ishqiya)
Trimurti Films Pvt. Ltd. (Gupt)
Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Matchbox Pictures. (Andhadhun)
ALT Entertainment (Ek Thi Daayan)
