A kohl-rimmed powerhouse–the ‘Bangali Saundarya’ in Indian Cinema
- Shivangi Angra
- May 21
- 4 min read
Updated: May 31
Ada, nazakat, takat—she owns it all.
A writer's muse becomes a powerful tool in cinema to bring out the many moods and shades of the feminine. From innocent to rebellious, these iconic female characters deliver to you the Bangali Saundarya.
Her nazakat
Jet black tresses cascade down her back, kohl-rimmed eyes express a thousand emotions, a prominent red bindi centres her forehead and a traditional Bengali saree adorns her slender frame–that is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Paro for you—the iconic Bangali Saundarya who makes hearts flutter with her playful candour and timeless elegance. Cheeks flush red upon receiving the news of her beloved Devdas’ arrival—oh, a woman in love! What a delight to watch.
Bhansali’s 2002 film Devdas pays a glorious ode to the nostalgic charm of old Kolkata through his cinematic genius and the grandeur of his sets. What elevates the film’s aesthetic is the women; they don’t just play their roles but embody them in true spirit and soul.
Chadramukhi, brought to life by Madhuri Dixit, an epitome of both strength and tenderness at once, personifies the feminine in all her essence. A tawaif who falls in love with Devdas, exudes strength in letting him go when it’s time–every woman in this film possesses a strong persona that brings out the writer’s thoughtfulness in assigning individuality to every character.
Her shringar
What is it about a woman’s desire to dress up, beautify and show up? Pardeep Sarkar’s Parineeta delivers an icon–Lalita. Played by Vidya Balan, who exudes an undeniable aura and effortlessly manages to turn sarees into a whole statement. The character’s visual motif deeply finds its roots in Bengali culture. She shows an entire generation that one can be powerful, feminine, modern, yet connected to their roots at the same time. The heavy chokers, chunky earrings, rich silks, and of course, those kohl-traced eyes–sheer perfection. Even with her hair pulled back into a soft bun, she radiates simplicity; let’s not forget the fresh flower tucked behind her ear.
The Bengali beauty plays Bollywood's favourite muse too–From Tabu in The Namesake and Aishwarya Rai in Devdas to Deepika Padukone in Piku, and Sonakshi Sinha in Lootera, we’re gifted with several potent female characters.
Her ada
Inky almond-shaped eyes spark expressive depth. Soft cheekbones and rich dusky skin tone spark natural radiance. How they command their space quietly.
Think Shoojit Sircar’s Piku, played by Deepika Padukone with a rare balance—soft in grace, fierce in opinion and strength in affection. The protagonist's silent devotion to her father’s well-being doesn’t once assert responsibility as a burden. She’s comfortable in disagreements, which highlights both a daughter’s love for her father and a modern-day feminism that doesn’t shy away from voicing opinions.
Her saadgi
Even in the final moments of the film, Piku’s quiet exchange of words with Rana, played by Irrfan Khan, reflects the nature of her affection–calm, comforting and assuring. No assertion, no loud gestures, just a woman on the brink of building a relationship with a man–hopeful in approach, gentle in dialogue.
Let’s talk about Ileana D'Cruz's character in Barfi, who beautifully takes us through Shruti (self), Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra) and Barfi's (Ranbir Kapoor) journey of love and loss through a captivating narrative. If you've watched the movie, you’d remember Shruti and Jhilmil's first meeting–The camera lingers on her face. Shruti’s quiet realisation of a love lost , the pain of witnessing Barfi's tenderness towards Jhilmil, and the regret of no longer having access to the same affection, from someone she once dearly called hers, emphasises a woman's ability to endure.
Shruti's dilemma of wanting to feel genuine happiness for Barfi while fighting an inner tornado of emotions delicately encapsulates a woman's power in generosity.
Her takat
Popular opinion suggests Bollywood has generalised female characters over the years. Hyper-independent feminists in contemporary storytelling may have become more of an unrealistic checklist than a character of quality.
Breaking that mould are characters like Bulbbul, played by Tripti Dimri, and more recently Rani, played by Alia Bhatt in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. These women aren’t just written to look pretty; they are made to create an impact. They’re relatable and resonate the struggles of many women in society.
Pakhi Roy Chaudhary, essayed by Sonakshi Sinha, in Lootera deserves an honourable mention.
Her aadab
Looking beyond mainstream cinema, Satyajit Ray’s films consistently humanise women, portraying them as more than mothers, wives, or daughters. He gives them room to be complex, flawed yet strong, and vulnerable.
In films like Charulata (1964), Ray presents a woman of mesmerising elegance, her luscious lips, dangling earrings, expressive dark eyes and the clean aesthetic of a saree, that conform to the black and white palette of the film.
Charulata, trapped in a stifling marriage, yearns for intellectual and emotional fulfilment. Rather than being passive, she pursues her desires, displaying an autonomy that was rare for women in Indian cinema at the time. Ray's film expands these themes, using visual storytelling and symbolic imagery to further highlight Charu's struggles. Ray gives his characters space to be strong and vulnerable, which is a rare balance, even today.
Her parampara
Whether it is Binodini in Chokher Bali or Durga and Sarbojaya, these characters are relevant even today. These characters don’t demand attention—they earn it. What makes characters like Binodini, Durga, and Sarbajaya unforgettable isn't their drama. It’s their depth. Binodini, the widow, navigating desire and dignity. Durga, the spirited girl chasing guavas and childhood dreams. Sarbajaya, the mother fighting silent battles to keep her family afloat. Their struggles, desires, and silences mirror our own. Because they are deeply human. The world has changed—technology, culture, context—but emotions haven’t. The yearning for freedom, for love that sees us, for the ability to live life on our terms—that’s universal. That’s timeless.
Moreover, actresses like Suchitra Sen, Madhabi Mukherjee, and, more recently, Vidya Balan, have brought these characters to life with immense sensitivity. The Bengali beauty is a legacy. She doesn’t just light up the screen, she stays with you long after the credits roll.