We are inspired.
Bollywood has always been known for its superheroes. Slowly but surely the women in Bollywood have risen the stakes and now are powerhouses in fashion, beauty and philanthropy.
We have narrowed down a list of seven women, who today, are recognised the world over – not only for their beauty but also for how astutely they have managed to get ahead.
Priyanka Chopra
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There is nothing Priyanka Chopra cannot do. From winning the Miss World pageant in 2000, to acting in hit Bollywood movies, her television show Quantico, her music albums, many awards, being honoured with the Padma Shri (India’s fourth-highest civilian award), being named the world’s most influential woman by TIME, listed as one of world’s most powerful women by Forbes. She has also worked with UNICEF since 2006 and became their national and global Goodwill Ambassador for child rights in 2010 and 2016. She also promotes various causes such as environment, health and education as well as gender equality and feminism. Phew.
Deepika Padukone
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Elegant, gritty and beautiful Deepika Padukone arrived in Bollywood starring with Shahrukh Khan in the Farah Khan movie, Om Shanti Om, and has never looked back. With awards under her belt she has lots of Bollywood hits such as Piku, Bajirao Mastani and Padmavat to name a few. A global icon, she has also starred with Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage and named as one of the most influential women by TIME. Having battled depression herself she founded the Live Laugh Love Foundation to create awareness for mental health in India. She is also very vocal about issues on feminism and has her own fashion brand All About You and production company, KA entertainment.
Aishwarya Rai
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Ever since she won the Miss World pageant in 1994, Aishwarya has been known all over India and overseas as ‘the most beautiful women in the world’. Along the way she has been honoured with several awards for her performances in Bollywood hit movies and also a Padma Shri (India’s fourth-highest civilian award) in 2009 for her contribution to Indian Cinema. She was the first Indian actress to represent her country as a Jury member at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003, the first to be signed as the international brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris and the first to grace the Oprah Winfrey show. Along with being an ambassador for several charity organisations she is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on Aids (UNAIDS).
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja
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Recipient of several awards since her debut in 2007 and a National Film Award for her film Neerja, Sonam has come a long way at a very young age. Described by media as a style icon she has featured a few times in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 based on her income and popularity, appeared in The Huffington Post’s list of 100 most influential women on Twitter and is the Indian brand ambassador for L’Oréal. Her outspoken personality has helped raise awareness of breast cancer and LGBT rights in India.
Kareena Kapoor Khan
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Kareena comes from the first family of Filmdom in India. Noted for playing a variety of characters – from romantic comedies to crime dramas, and with huge Bollywood hits beside her name, she has risen to the pinnacle of success. Along with her acting work Kareena has co-written three books and started her own successful lines of cosmetics and clothing. Outspoken and assertive she is very actively involved in promoting children’s education and safety of women. In 2014, she also began working with UNICEF to increase quality based education in India.
Alia Bhatt
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After making her acting debut as a child in the 1999 movie Sangharsh, Alia played her first lead role in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year in 2012. She has followed the success of her first film with amazing performances, playback singing, huge hits, awards and accolades. Especially for her role in the spy thriller Raazi. In addition to acting she has launched her own line of clothing and handbags and is also the founder of the ecological initiative CoExist.
Ekta Kapoor
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One of the most well-known faces in India, Ekta began by producing soaps for Indian television (which gave her the nickname Czarina of Television) at age 19, followed it by producing movies and today is a powerhouse leading Balaji Telefilms Limited and digital app Alt Balaji. In 2012 she started Institute of Creative Excellence, a media training school and has also launched her fashion series EK Label. Ruling on all three formats of content, she has produced more-than 130 soap operas, 35 films and 40 web series, and has been singly credited for launching the careers of many television and film personalities.
Who are your sheroes?
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