Let's celebrate these motivating Bollywood films with a strong female focus on the occasion of International Women's Day to highlight the advancements for women.

Gangubai 

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, which stars Alia Bhatt as the titular heroine, is a beautiful feast for the eyes as it follows young Ganga's swift ascent from a small-town girl to 'Gangubai.

Mardaani

The gripping plot of the 2014 action-thriller Mardaani revolves around policewoman Shivani Shivaji Roy's discovery of human trafficking, with Rani Mukjeri playing the title role.

Kahaani

Kahaani, starring Vidya Balan as the pregnant Vidya Bagchi who is looking for her missing husband in Kolkata, is a very dramatic and poignant story about the tenacity and abilities of a woman.

English Vinglish

English Vinglish, directed by Gauri Shinde, is a touching and inspirational story about an Indian mother's quest to restore her identity. 

Sarbjit

The 2016 biographical drama, starring Aishwarya Rai and Randeep Hooda as Dalbir Kaur and Sarbjit Singh, follows a sister's valiant endeavours to set her brother free.

Mary Kom

The 2014 biographical sports drama follows Mary Kom's life journey from the daughter of a rice farmer in Manipur to India's most well-known female boxer, starring Priyanka Chopra as the boxer.

Thappad

Thappad, a film starring Tapsee Pannu as Amrita Sandhu, addresses the delicate subject of domestic violence in Indian society with great frankness and austerity.