Rani Mukerji's 'Mardaani 3', Taapsee Pannu's 'Assi': Women-led cinema takes lead on the big screen

Indian cinema has traditionally revolved around male superstars and large-scale spectacles. Movies like ‘Pushpa,’ ‘Pathaan,’ the ‘K.G.F’ series, and ‘Dhurandhar’ dominated the box office.

Their success spoke indirectly of star power and larger-than-life male protagonists being the bankable factor. For decades, this formula shaped what was considered “safe” and “viable” for theatres.In the years before the pandemic, women-led cinema was steadily emerging as a strong trend rather than an experiment. Films like ‘Queen,’ ‘Pink,’ ‘The Dirty Picture,’ ‘Naam Shabana,’ ‘Thappad’ and more stand as examples. With these movies, the audiences embraced layered female protagonists. Actresses, who are known for their sheer talent and versatility, like Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut, Taapsee Pannu, Alia Bhatt, Yami Gautam and Rani Mukerji, drove the credible shift.Things changed during the pandemic; it disrupted theatrical trends, and the industry moved toward spectacle-driven event films to revive cinemas. There was a 360-degree turn, the risk appetite shrank and mid-budget dramas lost space. Amid all this, women-led narratives were sidelined as producers prioritised large franchises to stabilise box office performance. However, strong voices did not disappear completely from the cinematic canvas.

'Article 370' and 'Gangubai Kataiwadi' proved the power of strong female-led movies.Fast forward to 2026, here Rani Mukerji’s 'Mardaani 3' has shered in a decisive shift. The film is nearing the Rs 45 crore mark, according to Sacnilk, reaffirming the strength of female-led thrillers. And this is not an end, but a start. The momentum now continues with Taapsee Pannu in ‘Assi.’ Pannu plays a lawyer fighting tooth and nail for justice in a powerful case. The actress who is known for ‘Pink,’ ‘Badla,’ and ‘Thappad,’ continues to headline socially relevant stories. Her movies blend substance with box office appeal.With such projects, women-led cinema today is not positioned as an alternative, but as an equally viable pillar of theatrical storytelling.