Women’s Day 2025: Top 8 movies led by women filmmakers

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International Women’s Day is celebrated across the globe on March 8 to honour women’s achievements and advocate for gender equality. The day serves as a reminder to recognise women’s rights, to make society safer and to eradicate prejudices.

In recent years, a number of female directors have led beautiful and impactful stories that keep women at the forefront of their plots. There are ‘Darlings’ and ‘Laapataa Ladies’ from India, for instance. Let us take a clearer look.

Top movies led by women filmmakers

1. Laapataa Ladies

You can never forget ‘Laapataa Ladies’. This Kiran Rao directorial is both funny and inspiring. Phool and Jaya go through a rollercoaster of misadventures because of an exchange. Nonetheless, they make delightful self-discoveries.

Cast: Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava

Director: Kiran Rao

2. Barbie

Based on the fashion dolls by Mattel, Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in Barbie Land. But as they get an opportunity to go to the real world, they start to discover both the joys and challenges of living among humans.

Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu

Director: Greta Gerwig

3. Qala

Based in Calcutta during the 1930s era, Anvita’s ‘Qala’ tells an impactful story of a female playback singer (Tripti Dimri) as she tries to juggle the pressure of success, the voices of doubt within her and a mother’s disdain.

Cast: Tripti Dimri, Babil Khan, Varun Grover

Director: Anvita Dutt Guptan

4. Mitr, My Friend

‘Mitr, My Friend’ sees a lonely and neglected wife seeking friendship on a social media platform. But her rebellious daughter suspects her of having an affair with their neighbour. This Revathi directorial is going to keep you at the edge of your seat till the last minute.

Cast: Shobana, Preeti Vissa, Nassar Abdulla

Director: Revathi

5. Lust Stories 2

Four eminent Indian directors, including Konkona Sen Sharma, explore the human desire for love, sensuality and sex in this series of short films. ‘Lust Stories 2’ is based on the lives of four different women and is tremendously interesting.

Cast: Tamannaah Bhatia, Mrunal Thakur, Vijay Varma, Kajol

Director: Konkona Sen Sharma, Sujoy Ghosh, Amit Sharma, R Balki

6. All We Imagine as Light

Directed by Payal Kapadia, ‘All We Imagine as Light’ features a nurse in a busy Mumbai hospital who shares her tiny apartment with Anu. Nurse Prabha’s daily life takes an unexpected turn when a surprise present comes from her estranged husband.

Cast: Divya Prabha, Kani Kusruti, Chhaya Kadam

Director: Payal Kapadia

7. Dear Zindagi

In ‘Dear Zindagi’, Kaira starts to suffer from insomnia after facing a series of career and relationship challenges. As things start to become difficult, she contacts Dr Jehangir Khan, a psychologist, who uses unconventional methods for her treatment.

Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Ali Zafar

Director: Gauri Shinde

8. Darlings

Directed by Jasmeet K Reen, ‘Darlings’ sees Hamza and Badru in a love marriage. But their relationship turns ugly as Hamza becomes alcoholic and abusive. When his behaviour leads to a tragedy, Badru sets off on a journey to seek revenge.

Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vijay Varma, Shefali Shah

Director: Jasmeet K Reen

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