In the ’90s, Bollywood saw a defining change which took the genre in the direction of family-oriented dramas, romantic blockbusters, introduced glorious dance numbers and strong female leads. In that flourish of film culture, some actresses rose to superstar status, and their performances became benchmarks. Here is a list of ten such influential and very loved actresses of that time in no particular order.
Top 10 Women who dominated the Screen
- Madhuri Dixit
Often known as Bollywood’s “dancing queen”, Madhuri brought to the screen a mix of great acting and amazing dance skills. In films like Dil, Beta, Khal Nayak, Hum Aapke Hain Koun! and Dil To Pagal Hai, which she starred in, not only did she do box office hits but also proved to be very versatile. She played out romance, drama, comedy — and had a screen presence which made her the highest paid and most admired star of that decade.
- Juhi Chawla
Juhi brought to Bollywood the “girl next door” feel with a talent for comedy and warmth. In movies like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Yes Boss, Lootere, Aaina, and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, she proved herself to be a star who could carry light romance, emotional drama, and fun commercial films. Her energetic personality and relatability made her a favourite with a wide range of audiences.
- Kajol
Kajol broke out in the early 1990s and left an impression almost immediately. In films like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Gupt, and Dushman, it was seen that she could play very vulnerable as well as intense roles. Also, it was her chemistry with co-stars and her ability to carry out strong female characters that made her the defining heroine of the era.
- Karisma Kapoor
Born into a film family, Karisma Kapoor brought glamour to the screen as well as the stage. In Raja Hindustani, Coolie No. 1, Biwi No. 1, Haseena Maan Jaayegi and Dil To Pagal Hai, she proved her versatility from romantic leads to comedy to emotional roles. Also a fashion as well as a film icon in the ’90s.
- Tabu
Tabu came in at a critical and commercial success. Known for adding that which is not black and white to her characters, she took up very challenging roles in films like Maachis, Vijaypath, Border, Saajan Chale Sasural, and Chandni Bar. Her craft of acting won her the respect of peers and critics, which in turn made her stand out even when in multi-starrer films.
- Sridevi
By the late ’80s, Sridevi was already a mega star, and she went on to rule the ’90s. In her filmography is a mix of commercial success and emotional range. In films like Chandni, Lamhe, Judaai, Khuda Gawah and others, she sustained her status as a magnetic screen presence. Her expressiveness, which played out from the comic to the dramatic, added to her enduring legacy.
- Raveena Tandon
A Victim of Marital Violence, in the likes of Shool, Laadla and others, which she didn’t shy away from the experimental. Her dance sequences were a hit; in drama, screen craft or playing the bad girl, she added depth to her image.
- Urmila Matondkar
While she peaked more in the mid-to-late nineties, Urmila made a clear mark with films such as Rangeela, Satya, Kaun, Khoobsurat, and Judaai, among others. She made bold choices about the scripts she wanted to engage with, spanning art-house films to mainstream romantic comedies. Urmila’s film presence developed swiftly. There was a rushing current of excitement about her songs, her style, her face, her embodiment of versatility.
- Sonali Bendre
Sonali Bendre was a part of the new wave in the ’90s, which saw women wearing the traditional on one hand and the modern on the other. She was in hits like Hum Saath Saath Hain, Major Saab, Sarfarosh, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, Diljale, Duplicate, to name a few. Her confidence and glamour made her a favourite of the youth; also, she mostly did supporting or ensemble roles, but did very well in them.
- Meenakshi Seshadri
A little early to the scene but very present in the ‘90s was Meenakshi. Known for her dance skills, dramatic range and screen presence. In films like Awaargi, Damini, Ghatak, Ghayal, Jurm and others in which she starred, we see her versatility as an actress. Also among the top paid actresses of that time, her works were very much appreciated for the maturity and poise brought into each role.
Conclusion
In the 90s, which saw the height of Bollywood’s power, we had a group of ten actresses who not just acted but also set trends, which gave voice to their generation and which we still celebrate today. They broke barriers, they pushed the envelope in terms of storytelling, and they put forth a different kind of heroine on screen. What they did for Indian cinema is of great lasting value.
Leave a Reply