Amidst fulfilling roles as a lover, a wife, or a mother, we’re often taught to pour our love onto others, to be kind, affectionate, and nurturing. Yet, what’s often overlooked is the importance of loving oneself. Society ingrains in us the notion that our purpose is solely to sacrifice for and love others deeply. In the process, we often neglect our own self. Today, we want to remind you that our own love is just as significant as that which we give to others. With this in mind, we present to you 10 Bollywood movies that provoke reflection on why prioritizing self-love is crucial.
1. Queen
Queen is a powerful movie that highlights a woman’s journey of discovering herself. Rani (Kangana Ranaut) is proof that “when things go wrong, cry not, gather your guts and fly away.” A soul-stirring movie in which an abandoned bride, instead of falling apart, chooses to travel on her honeymoon alone and rediscover herself.
2. Thappad
This movie is a strong punch in the face of a society that promotes patriarchy. A movie that shows how our society treats women and perceives their dignity. Marrying a woman doesn’t mean that the man owns her. Thappad shows a woman standing for her dignity not just against her husband but her parents, friends, and entire society!
3. Shakuntala Devi
A movie that proves there’s a lot more to a woman than being just a mother. Becoming a mother is definitely special, but that doesn’t mean one has to compromise on her dreams and passion. Shakuntala Devi is one such movie that proves that it’s never too late to follow your ambition. This movie is just a reminder to fall in love with our dreams and passion! Fly high Woman!
4. English Vinglish
A heart-winning plot where a middle-aged woman, struggles for respect and dignity within her family. She is being criticized by her family for not being modern enough. After reaching New York, how she musters her courage and overcomes her fear of speaking English to be more confident and self-loving. This story reflects how there is no age to fall in love with yourself and achieve your goals.
5. Panga
Another movie that reminds us that motherhood doesn’t mean an end to women’s dreams and passion. Panga highlights the strength and determination of a woman, who wants to find her lost self. It focuses on a woman’s journey, who was an athlete but put her career on hold after becoming a mother. How she recaptures her glory again with the help of her family is the core of this beautiful movie!
6. Lipstick Under My Burkha
A hard-hitting movie that focuses on women’s quest for freedom. It highlights how women in various strata of society are still struggling for the freedom that they deserve, the freedom of expressing their views, the freedom of choosing their careers, and whatnot. This movie beautifully focuses on how women stand for their rights irrespective of their caste or religion. Hence, you can’t simply miss how these women liberate themselves!
7. Gunjan Saxena
Inspired by a real story, Gunjan Saxena inspires every woman to never let society take away her dream! Irrespective of what society believes, this ordinary girl became the hero of the country! The movie is about women’s courage and self-confidence. This movie portrays how a woman confronted the patriarchal society and came out as a winner.
8. Nil Battey Sannata
An extraordinary mother-daughter duo in which a mother wants her daughter to rise and shine. To encourage her daughter, this mother too got into the same school and same class as her daughter and proved that willpower can beat anything in this world.
9. Is Love Enough, Sir?
A movie that shows that love is constrained by caste, culture, and social status. This movie beautifully shows how a woman puts herself first and becomes her own hero!
10. Dear Zindagi
A movie that captures the beautiful journey of a woman reconnecting with her own soul and falling in love with herself. This movie is full of life that taught us to love ourselves first before falling in love with someone else. With a well-written screenplay, heart-touching dialogues, and great acting skills, this movie will touch your soul.
Happy falling in love with yourself, girl!