In recent years, Bollywood has witnessed a surge in biopics, with actresses taking on the challenging roles of real-life figures. These portrayals require not only acting prowess but also a deep understanding and embodiment of the subject's life and experiences. Several actresses have shone in these roles, earning critical acclaim and audience appreciation for their performances.
One notable example is Patralekhaa, who portrayed Savitribai Phule in the biopic "Phule," released in April 2025. Savitribai Phule, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, were pioneers of social reform and education in 19th-century India, particularly for women's rights. Patralekhaa's portrayal was described as both humbling and transformative, capturing the essence of India's first female teacher. Despite some controversy surrounding the film's depiction of caste issues and subsequent edits, Patralekhaa's performance was generally well-received.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is another actress who has ventured into the biopic genre. In 2016, there were reports of her potentially playing Kalpana Saroj, an entrepreneur with an inspiring rags-to-riches story. However, Chopra has also been selective about biopics, reportedly turning down offers after her role in "Mary Kom". She found them time-consuming and exhausting. Despite this, there was also news of Chopra starring in and producing a film based on Ma Anand Sheela, the controversial figure from the Netflix documentary "Wild Wild Country". The film was in the research stage as of 2019. Chopra also starred in "The Sky Is Pink" (2019), which is based on the life of Aisha Chaudhary, who suffered from severe combined immunodeficiency and pulmonary fibrosis. Chopra played Aditi Chaudhary, Aisha's mother, navigating the challenges of her daughter's illness and marriage.
Alia Bhatt has also made her mark in the biopic sphere. She starred in "Gangubai Kathiawadi" (2022), a biographical crime drama based on the life of Gangubai Kathiawadi, a woman who rose to prominence as a madam in Mumbai's red-light district. Bhatt's performance received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising her portrayal of the titular character. There were also reports in 2019 about Bhatt being considered for the role of Arunima Sinha, the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest.
Deepika Padukone is also reportedly working on a biopic of her father, Prakash Padukone, a former badminton star. She revealed that the film would highlight the challenges he faced and his contribution to putting Indian sports on the global map. While Padukone has stated that she had not been approached for any biopics prior to 2017, she is now actively developing this project.
These actresses have demonstrated their versatility and commitment to bringing real-life stories to the screen. By taking on these roles, they not only showcase their acting talent but also contribute to preserving and celebrating the lives of remarkable individuals. The trend of biopics in Bollywood seems set to continue, with audiences eager to see more actresses embody the stories of inspiring figures.
