From 1982 to 2019, four films released where heroine outshone hero, one became a blockbuster, another went to Oscars, film is…
On International Widows Day, we look back at four powerful Hindi films, from Prem Rog to Water, that broke stereotypes and brought the complex lives of widows to centre stage.

Bollywood has veritably romanticised fancy and heroism, nevertheless every every so continually, it has delivered reviews that disaster deep-rooted societal norms. Between 1982 and 2019, four Hindi motion photographs dared to painting the emotional landscape, discrimination, and interior strength of widowed girls—some won serious acclaim, others broke box plan of business recordsdata, and one even earned an Oscar nomination.
What does Indian cinema indicate relating to the lifetime of widows?
These motion photographs now no longer simplest tackle the emotional trauma of widowhood nevertheless also highlight the resilience, defiance, and private increase of girls compelled to confront patriarchal systems. Their reviews bid middle of attention to the veritably-silenced voices in Indian society—these of single girls and single moms navigating life submit-loss.
The Last Color (2019)
Directed by chef-became-filmmaker Vikas Khanna, The Last Color tells a young chronicle of friendship between a 70-365 days-old widow (performed by Neena Gupta) and a 9-365 days-old flower seller. Characteristic against the backdrop of Varanasi, the film’s final Holi sequence, the build widows maintain an even time the festival of colors—traditionally forbidden to them—is deeply symbolic and visually transferring. For these that overlooked searching at it, take a bathtub of popcorn and in discovering pleasure from it on High Video.
Dor (2006)
Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, Dor interweaves the lives of two girls from diverse backgrounds—performed by Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag. Ayesha’s character, a Rajasthani widow, and Gul’s character, whose husband is in penitentiary, set apart a life-altering connection. Their hotfoot explores forgiveness, freedom, and female team spirit in the face of cultural rigidity. For these that overlooked searching at it, take a bathtub of popcorn and in discovering pleasure from it on Sony Liv.
Water (2005)
Written by Anurag Kashyap and directed by Deepa Mehta, Water is plan in 1938 and explores the lives of widows residing in a secluded ashram. Starring Lisa Ray and John Abraham, the film exposes the harsh, patriarchal recommendations imposed on girls—especially young widows—and the taboos surrounding widowhood. It got an Oscar nomination for Best International Language Movie, bringing world attention to an Indian social disaster. For these that overlooked searching at it, take a bathtub of popcorn and in discovering pleasure from it on Netflix, Amazon High Video, and Apple TV.
Prem Rog (1982)
This Raj Kapoor directorial, starring Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure, is a fancy chronicle steeped in social commentary. While it featured melodious songs and became once a commercial hit, Prem Rog also tackled the taboo topic of widow remarriage at a time when such recommendations were virtually unspoken. It sensitively addressed the widow’s moral to savor all another time, making it regarded as one of one of the forward-pondering motion photographs of its time. For these that overlooked searching at it, take a bathtub of popcorn and in discovering pleasure from it on High Video and Zee5.
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