Plain Janes? No way!
Scheming vixens? They have their wicked moments.
Sultry sirens? Depends on your definition of sexy.
Twitchy Tomboys? Nice one, but doesn't do them justice.
So then what are these women exactly? Adorable, for starters. Effortlessly, to elaborate. On the sheer ability of spunk, spontaneity and substance, these attitude-filled protagonists of Hindi films have earned a special place in the hearts and memories of viewers.
rediff.com short-lists some of the most-loved and quirky female characters of Bollywood over the years:
PS: Feel free to contribute to the same.
Genelia D'Souza as Aditi, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
What's special?
Short-tempered, super-egoistic and quite the spoiled brat. Aditi, or Meow if you prefer, is the the A to Z of unreasonable and eccentric. That's precisely why we love her so much. And yet it takes hero Imran Khan a good two and a half hours before he can finally spill the magic words.
The Genelia factor:
It's not easy to make an overbearing person so immensely likable. Genelia D'Souza, however, with her cute-as-a-button charm, Bugs Bunny vibrancy and relatable vulnerability creates a blockbuster called Aditi.
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Kareena Kapoor as Geet, Jab We Met
What's special?
It's almost a disease. Her ability to talk and stay excited, 24/7. Ms Dhillon's enthusiasm towards life, Ratlam and everything that can be spelled makes her eye-poppingly invincible. Especially in Shahid Kapur's eyes. What follows next is romance shomance, Geet-style -- full of drama.
The Kareena factor:
Her fountain of energy is for all to see while portraying the spunky, inquisitive Sardarni in Imtiaz Ali's on-the-move rom-com. Neither jarring nor rehearsed, Bebo's loud-to- perfection Geet's real test comes in the second half, when she believably transforms into the desolate, heartbroken skin of her so-far dynamic sketch.
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Kajol as Anjali, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
What's special?
She loves basketball, books and boys. In fact, she is almost one. Troubles of the heart surface when her best friend becomes someone else's boy friend. But Anjali Sharma is too sweet to cause any further complications. In Karan Johar's quixotic universe, happy endings have a way of working out, even if they are eight years too late.
The Kajol factor:
When co-star Shah Rukh Khan referred to Kajol as the hero of this film, he wasn't just being uncharacteristically magnanimous. Truth is this unlimited bundle of talent was the sab kuch of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Sridevi as Manju, Chaalbaaz
What's special?
Twin sisters separated at birth. While one, who doesn't appear on this list, turns out timid and hopeless, the other-- Manju is a complete live-wire living life on her own terms. And boy, does she love her beer?
The Sri factor:
While any other heroine would have made a mockery out of Manju, Sri plays her with a batty sense of humour, tons of cheek and impish body language. Also, no one quite does tipsy like only she can. Not to forget a positively hilarious tribute to Raaj Kumar. Man, how we miss her!
Amrita Singh as Chameli, Chameli Ki Shaadi
What's special?
There's something about Chameli. She does things with unfailing consistency, whether it's flunking exams year after year or lazing around doing nothing. If that doesn't make her interesting enough, you will surely love her candid talk and unpretentious temperament.
The Amrita factor:
On paper, Amrita Singh in a school uniform doesn't strike as a bright idea. On screen, it spells C-U-T-E. Dingy, as she is fondly addressed, imparts uninhibited sincerity and likable silliness to the pigheaded, child woman called Chameli.
Rekha as Manju, Khoobsurat
What's special?
She's annoyingly clever and has all the answers. Yet, she is extremely fun-loving, enjoys breaking rules and wants everyone to chill. Unfortunately, Manju's carefree disposition doesn't meet much approval at her newly-married Didi's discipline-abiding home. Trust Manju to come up with one brainwave after another to change all that.
The Rekha factor:
Casual and charismatic at once, Rekha ensures Manju is just what every home needs in this Hrishikesh Mukherjee classic. Her vivacious presence and terrific timing blend beautifully to result in a sparkling performance that appears fresh on every viewing.
Dimple Kapadia as Bobby, Bobby
What's special?
It's hard to say no to a wide-eyed, chocolate-faced, girl-next-door extending her pretty hand in friendship. Mujhse dosti karoge? You bet. The teenager has her own whims and rose-hued ideas about love, fashion and all things that follow. But falling for a fetching Ritchie Rich compels her to rethink.
The Dimple factor:
Naivety, sexiness and spirit -- the ravishing and raw Dimple Kapadia infused intense elements to her Bobby with amazing comfort and chemistry making the latter immortal in movie history.
Hema Malini as Basanti, Sholay
What's special?
Her love for conversation. Okay, while that can be conveniently taken for granted, Basanti is all pluck, no pressure. Give Bollywood's beloved tangewali her Dhanno, and she's raring to go. And that includes doing kathak on glass pieces, courtesy Gabbar. Too bad Veeru got to her first!
The Hema factor:
Imagine the number of hours, Hema Malini must have dedicated to the dubbing of this movie. And even if Jai and Veeru plug their ears with cotton, we appreciate the babbling Dreamgirl for her unmatched zing and splendid star power.
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Jaya Bachchan as Guddi, Guddi
What's special?
Because there's a Guddi inside everyone of us, before the myth shatters and the reality sinks in. Guddi loves Dharmendra, the actor. She truly believes he is all the perfect things he is projected to be on celluloid. In the process, she ignores her real hero, a Mr Average-looking Nice Guy.
The Jaya factor:
It's amazing how Jaya Bachchan understood subtlety at the very beginning of her career. Not a single ounce of her performance is feigned. Instead the natural actress bestows her Guddi with enough supply of school-girl eagerness and wonder-eyed enchantment to make it all the more endearing and heartfelt.
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