Eight Best Female Performances of Bollywood in 2017

As Sulochana, aka Sulu in Tumhari Sulu, Vidya Balan was truly sunshine as the Virar housewife who moonlights as an RJ at a leading radio station in Mumbai. You can spot Sulu in every middle-class woman residing in the city. Vidya expressed aspirations and dreams simply through the twinkle of her eyes, thereby offering an andearing presence, leaving you wanting to hug her.

As the young Insiya and her mother Najma, Zaira Wasim and Meher Vij were pillars of strength and bravery in Secret Superstar. We laughed, cried and eventually clapped out loud in the end when they walk away from an abusive patriarch, to pursue their dreams.

As Praful, a divorced Gujarati girl, aged 30, who fights patriarchy, the American laws and her own inner demons, Kangana proved why other actresses feel pale in comparison to her. Though the script had too many loopholes to point out, Kangana was the star attraction throughout in the film.

Toilet: Ek Prem Kathaa might be touted as an Akshay Kumar show, but Bhumi Pednekar held her own as Jaya, a college-topper and a righteous individual who holds her self-respect and privacy higher than her marriage. Of course, she loved her husband but she was not willing to succumb to regressive mindsets. And Bhumi stole the thunder from Kumars nose in most scenes from the film.

As Shireen, Buaji, Leela and Rehana, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur spoke of dreams, desire and despair in Lipstick Under My Burkha. While Aahana and Plabita played crucial supporting parts in matching their seasoned leads, Konkona and especially Ratna were the scene-stealers. We only wish the film ended with the four living the lives they dreamt of.

As Devki, a vigilante mother who avenges the brutal rape of her daughter, Sridevi proved why she is the female superstar of Indian cinema. The film is not an easy watch for many whod hope that their mothers dont take the route that Devki does in Mom. But you cant help but hoot for the way she plans and executes her revenge.

From a young, naive Muslim girl who goes on to become a sought-after RAW agent, Taapsee Pannu was brilliant as Shabana Khan. Her performance remains one of the most underrated, this year but thats partially due to the faulty script that the film boasted of. Nevertheless, it helped Taapsee cement her position as a bankable actress following the success of her earlier film, Pink.

As the headstrong and idealistic Vaidehi Trivedi, Alia Bhatt meant business in Badrinath Ki Dulhania. Playing a small-town girl whose aspirations are larger than her city, Alia was fiesty yet vulnerable. Of course she played a part that is not easily likeable for many, but you couldnt help empathising with her either.

Year 2017 saw the worst movies that has made Bollywood fans cynical of any credibility whatsoever. But when everything else was down, these eight beautiful performances by B-towns leading ladies was what kept the industry afloat and drew the audiences to the theatres. Heres looking at the eight best female performances that were the silver linings in 2017.