Women’s Day 2024: Tales of 4 strong female characters on screen inspired by history in recent times

Through the medium of cinema, we get to teleport to a time unknown and untraversed. Be it experiencing the love shared between Akbar and Jodhaa and how the latter stood as a pillar of strength as seen in Jodhaa Akbar helmed by Ashutosh Gowariker, or the tragic but courageous sacrifice of Rani Padmavati as we saw in Padmavaat by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, It instils a sense of deep respect for them.

On Women’s Day today, here’s a look at how women have been the epitome of strength and grace from time immemorial. A list of some of the most celebrated historical female characters onscreen in the last few years that left a lasting impression:

Jodhaa from Jodhaa Akbar

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played the role of Jodhaa Bai, daughter of Raja Bharmal and Rani Mainavati. Gifted with a hauntingly beautiful face, she was more than just that. She nurtured her kind heart which made her rule with benevolence and not just violence. This Rajput princess was married to the most vicious Mughal emperor Jallaluddin Akbar, Jodhaa was strong-headed and refused to be just a political pawn in this marriage alliance that Akbar had embarked upon to form better relations with the Rajputs. Her love story with Akbar is still talked about to give an example of how love conquered all, she held the reins steadfastly to soften the king’s heart who had experienced love in its pure form.

Rani Padmavati from Padmaavat

Set between the 13th and 14th centuries, Deepika Padukone played the role of the mighty courageous Padmavati from Singhal. The kind of beauty that’s unheard of, stories of the Singhal princess were popular far and wide. She exchanged paths with Maharawal Ratan Singh from Mewar in a forest after wounding him, love bloomed and they were married. However, the ruthless ruler of Afghanistan – Allauddin Khilji had his eyes on her and all hell broke loose when he advanced to leave Mewar in ruins. Rani Padmavati’s sacrifice still echoes in the vastness of Chittor, the queen who succumbed to Jauhar, a ritual of self-immolation and sacrificing oneself to the holy fire so as to not be chained to slavery. Rani Padmavati is still worshipped to date to have raised her voice against a ruler who only wanted destruction, not being able to lay his hands on the queen is still considered to be the greatest loss of his life.

Mastani from Bajirao Mastani

Mastani was the daughter of a Hindu Rajput king named Chhatrasal and his Persian concubine Ruhani Begum who was a Muslim. In a war that unfolded in Sironja, a warrior asks Peshwa Bajirao to help her fight the ferocious invaders and soon he gets to know it’s Mastani. Over the course of a few days, they both fall in love with each other and the king gives Mastani a dagger, not knowing it is a sign of marriage for the Rajputs. Mastani plays the conventional another woman in this story as Pehswa already has a wife – Kashibai back home. As the story unfolds how Mastani comes and makes her place in his home is a combination of pain, anguish and a strong grit. She knows she’s unwelcome but her love for the Peshwa takes the forefront as she never lets the palace murmurs and daggers being thrown at her kill her inner strength in any way. She was beauty, she was grace and a princess warrior who fought against all obstacles in the name of love.

Nandhini from Ponniyin Selvin

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan won over the audience in the role of Nandhini, daughter of Mandakini Devi. Stoic and poised, a brilliant combination of vulnerability and power. She played the role of a defeated woman of love who unleashes hell to avenge the death of her lover Veerapandiyan, king of the Pandyan Dynasty by destroying the Chola Empire. History tells us that a vicious war was fought between the Chola and Pandyan Dynasty in which the latter lost. Aishwarya is the perfect example of beauty with brains, beauty so bewitching that it would make anyone lose track. Even though she plays the female antagonist in the film, the underlying emotions of what led to her turning so bitter and vengeful is what drives the story forward. Often women who show such shades are questioned but her all-consuming love further strengthened her entity as she let nothing break her down ever again.

In the last decade or so, these onscreen characters of actresses portraying strong queens or historical personalities have been deeply connected. On Women’s day, a trip down the memory lane as we revisit history, it is an apt time to fondly remember them.