2023 has truly been a fulfilling year in the OTT space in terms of variety and range. On Women’s Day though, we slightly veer and shed more light on the impactful and interesting female characters we saw in multiple series and films in this space that left a lasting impression. While some returned with more growth and impact in newer seasons like Sushmita Sen in Aarya Season 3 and Sobhita Dhulipala in Made In Heaven Season 2, there were a few new women-led roles, with newer shades that captivated us. Namely Sonakshi Sinha in one of her breakthrough performances in Dahaad, Karishma Tanna’s earnest performance in Scoop and Wamiqa Gabbi stealing the show in Vikramaditya’s period drama Jubilee – there have been quite a few stellar characters that we have grown to love, celebrate and cheer for in 2023 on the ever-blooming OTT platforms.
Here are our most loved picks that celebrate a complete woman with all their characteristics in full glory:
Sushmita Sen – Aarya Season 3
This family crime drama only gets bigger and better and Sushmita Sen is on top form for it. She returns as the fiercely protective mother in Aarya Season 3 and steals the show with her steady cold glance and fearless character. She’s strong and independent and continues to fight against all odds to protect her family even though her children don’t necessarily understand the extremes she has to go to. Murders, a drug business and guns seem to be common in her life but she doesn’t bend down without a fair fight until the very finale of season 3 where she’s shot and the cliffhanger has been quite a big one.
Sobhita Dhulipala – Made In Heaven Season 2
She presents the modern contemporary woman in a show that has won hearts all across. Sobhita as Tara comes across as an independent woman whose confidence can’t be curbed by regressive societal norms or male ego. She makes her own decisions, even if not always right, she stands by them and thus serves as an inspiration to never bow down just because you’re a woman. Her character evolves in the second 2 where she still struggles to make her space in the inside community of the rich despite being a conventional outsider. A survivor in many ways, Tara becomes everyone’s favourite wedding planner who faces every failing scenario head-on with conviction.
Sonakshi Sinha – Dahaad
Sonakshi Sinha plays the role of Anjali Bhaati – a female sub-inspector in Rajasthan’s Mandawa police station. Combatting the typical misogynistic and patriarchal issues at work where despite her calibre, she’s often made to keep quiet just because she’s a woman. Her character stands out because of her sheer dedication to her profession as an inspector who continues to give her all to solve a case, even though the myriad situations popping up make her want to stop and give up.
Dimple Kapadia – Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo
Dimple Kapadia plays the matriarch of the family. Despite a traumatic adolescent age, she turns out to be the most respected and revered drug lord who runs a business called Raani Cooperative from her mansion. A chaotic family but overall a series that truly puts the women in the limelight. Being the matriarch, she runs a business of creating a more potent portion of cocaine called Flamingo with a group of women and does business internationally. Her ways are not easily understood, but her overpowering presence in calling the shots leaves an impact. She’s made to fend for herself when her husband is killed and she learns at a very young age why she needs to be self-sufficient and secure in this man’s world.
Karishma Tanna – Scoop
Karishma Tanna’s performance in Scoop has made her win several accolades last year. The crime drama is based on the life of crime journalist Jigna Vora who gets embroiled in a false case where she is arrested due to the murder of a fellow crime reporter in broad daylight. Her struggle and fight against proving her innocence as she spent months in jail is deeply moving and inspiring. The never-give-up attitude and to hold on despite every piece of evidence going against her was deeply moving.
Tillotama Shome – Lust Stories 2
Tillotama plays Ishita Sengupta in Lust Stories 2 short film titled The Mirror. The concept is deeply liberating as is her character where she plays a 40-year-old graphic designer who walks in on her maid having sex with her husband in her house. While in the beginning, it’s disturbing to her, she soon realises that she gets turned on by it and starts to enjoy it rather than dismissing it. Though their confrontation later on ends up in a feud, it sheds light on women embracing their sexual needs, however, it deems fit for them. Tillotama has won several accolades for playing an independent and unapologetic woman accepting those needs.
Wamiqa Gabbi – Jubilee
Wamiqa Gabbi plays the character of Niloufer Qureshi in Jubilee. An aspiring actress who pays an ode to the actresses from the Golden Era. She plays the typical woman who crosses all limits and sacrifices anything and everything to reach the pinnacle of success in her career. She has no regrets and does not feel apologetic for going to such lengths. But at the same time, she’s also as vulnerable as any other simple girl whose heart can be broken. The many layers make her character stand out as she carries it off with finesse.
Sanya Malhotra – Kathal
Sanya Malhotra who plays Inspector Mahima in this film is a combination of many layers. She’s deeply passionate about her work and is also aware of the technicalities. She’s beauty with brains, in a rather unconventional story of finding who stole the jackfruit, she comes across as a strong female cop who goes through extensive self-growth. She’s strong but at the same time soft-hearted but that does not make her compromise on giving her hundred per cent to her work in a case that might not necessarily make sense at the beginning.
All the above-mentioned characters are deeply resonating as they stand on a pedestal of portraying layered female characters – the good and the bad that make them imperfectly perfect. 2023 was replete with such onscreen performances in the OTT space and here’s celebrating them on Women’s Day today.
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