Enkayaar, Bollywood Trade News Network

From 2007 to 2008 lots of water has flown and along with the flow have emerged female actors from India who have carved out a niche for themselves at the international arena and have by their presence and their executions of multi-dimensional roles have opened a window to the world about the prowess that they possess. For this sheer reason celebrations of International Women's Day needs to also focus into contribution of the Indian female actors who have in their own manner brought about subtle change in the way the cinema is being interpreted and have also induced changes in the business of cinema making to take into account nuances from the sub-continent. The initiatives of these actors made Angelina Joile remark in an interview to the Newsweek, that had she not been provided an exposure to the professionals associated with cinema from the sub-continent she would not have been aware what fantastic conglomerate exists in the sub-continent.

The front leaders from the sub-continent who have made the country proud by acting in the international films associated with the cause of women include Aishwarya Rai, Shilpa Shetty and Tabu. Tabu's film THE NAMESAKE would be one of the rare films that got an international release at the same time along with the release in India and it earned rave reviews for her all over. Aishwarya Rai's different films that released during the year have also paved the way for her to be selected for a film of large canvas like THE PINK PANTHER. Shilpa Shetty with her calm and serene approach in the BIG BOSS show drove home the importance of the Indian culture and drew such a fan following that she became the winner of BIG BOSS.

Preity Zinta in the same manner has in her own way carved a niche for herself and is using her image to work for the causes that could have an impact on the society and has also emerged as an entrepreneur to own a premier cricket league club. This would not have been possible but for the platform that films provided to Preity Zinta to carve a special niche for her and the image that she has developed for herself which speaks strongly about the persona of a woman in a forceful manner.

During the last year it also has happened that new women directors have made their debut and have taken issues like lesbianism, issue of re-marriage of widowed woman in the commercial realm and the forefront in this category is Reema Lagti, while Farah Khan has single handedly brought the magic of cinema of grandeur and entertainment back to the Indian cinema and has emerged as a worthy successor to Manmohan Desai.

The sapling of empowerment of women through cinema has been planted and these brand ambassadors of women empowerment are serving as a model and guide for their sisters all over the country and outside as well, and in the years to come cinema would provide more defined contours to the cause of women empowerment.