Meet female Supercops!

There are some stories made in Indian cinema that inspire you and some real life inspirations which result in stories. The world of cinema has consistently mirrored the dynamic shifts in society, particularly in the realm of women’s roles. Women have been breaking boundaries by stepping into traditionally male-dominated roles, and this transformation is vividly portrayed on the silver screen. A big moment in this evolution of cinema occurred in 1983 when Bollywood actress Hema Malini took on the role of a police officer in the film ‘Andha Kanoon’. This groundbreaking portrayal marked the beginning of a trend that saw numerous actresses don the police uniform in lead and character roles.

Let’s explore some of the actresses who have tackled the challenging role of a police officer in movies.

Rani Mukherjee as Shivani Shivaji Roy – The Crime Branch Officer (22nd August 2014) in Mardaani – Rani Mukerjee took on the role of a crime branch officer in the movie Mardaani, which went on to become a successful franchise, including the release of “Mardaani 2″ in 2019, with plans for a third installment. Her character, Shivani Shivaji Roy, draws inspiration from the real-life IPS officer Meera Borwankar. Meera Borwankar has noted that she sees strong parallels between Rani’s portrayal and her own life experiences, believing that both women have had to face their battles independently.

In real life, Meera Borwankar advocates for women’s independence, determination, and unwavering commitment to their goals. Rani Mukerji dedicated herself to preparing for this role, undergoing training in Krav Maga, a self-defense system originally developed for the Israeli military. The film sheds light on the pressing issue of human trafficking and emphasizes the urgent need to combat it effectively.

Lakshmi Manchu in Agni Nakshatram – In her upcoming film Agni Nakshatram, Lakshmi Manchu takes on the role of a police officer. Committed to portraying the character authentically and with great attention to detail, Lakshmi sought inspiration from the exceptional police officers and She Team officers in Hyderabad, including individuals like Swati Lakra, Anjali Kumar, Stephen Raveendra, and CV Anang Garg. Expressing her profound admiration, she emphasized the dedication displayed by Hyderabad’s remarkable police officers, saying,”Hyderabad is home to some truly outstanding police officers, and I’m deeply impressed by their unwavering commitment. As an actor, my goal is to bring authenticity to my role and infuse it with my own personal touch.”

Priyanka Chopra as IPS Abha Mathur in Jai gangajal (4th March 2016) and as Roma Bhagat in Don (20th October 2006) – Priyanka Chopra had taken on the role of a police officer in several notable movies, such as Don and Jai Gangaajal.

In Jai Gangaajal, Priyanka Chopras character Abha Mathur initially faced the expectation of being lenient toward criminals and supportive of her team. However, as she witnessed numerous wrongdoings and illegal activities, Abha underwent a significant transformation into a character known as Madam Sir. In this new persona, she seldom smiled but firmly upheld the ethics and empathy of the law.

In Don, Priyanka portrayed the character Roma, a role that demanded a tough and assertive portrayal. When casting for the character of Roma, the filmmakers, the Akhtars, recognized Priyanka’s suitability for the role. In the film, Roma is celebrated as a woman of action, embodying strength and determination.

Tabu – IG Meera Deshmukh in Drishyam (31St July 2015) –
Poonam Sandhu in kuttey (13 January 2023) –

SP Diana Joseph in Bhola (30 March 2023) – When asked about Tabus’ experience portraying a police officer in three distinct movies, she emphasized that it wasn’t merely about playing a cop but rather embodying three distinct individuals. In Drishyam, she found her most challenging role up to that point. Her character was not only a police officer but also a mother desperately searching for her missing child. For Kuttey, the character was initially conceived as a male role, given its demanding and rugged nature typically reserved for male characters in the cop universe. However, the makers had confidence in her abilities and cast her in the role. Bholaa is the Hindi remake of a superhit tamil movie kaithi.The Cop character in Kaithi was played by a male (Narain – Inspector Bejoy) and Tabu was casted for Bholaa Due to the Gender shift the nuances were different although the equation with the character remains the same. The major challenge was her physical body movements were restricted as she worked with only one functioning hand throughout the film

Shefali Shah – Delhi Crime – Shefali Shah played the role of Chhaya Sharma, a dedicated police officer in Delhi Crime for a case that sent shockwaves through the nation and deeply affected the hearts of every Indian- the horrific rape of Nirbhaya. Shefali Shah portrayed and embodied a unique blend of grace, strength, vulnerability, and unwavering commitment to her character which won her many praises and accolades.

Keerti Kadam