Were you rooting for Nagma when she beat Sardar Khan for going to a brothel in Gangs of Wasseypur? Or were you all “Yasss Queen” when Paro married another man instead of begging Dev in Dev D? We were all rooting for these two and many more of Anurag Kashyap’s heroines. But why is that? Anurag Kashyap’s movies are a wild ride. They are grim, gritty and straight-up violent, but his female leads? They are not passengers in this ride. Instead, they stay firm in the driving seat, bend the rules and burn the damn playbook when needed.

These ladies are everything Bollywood told us ideal women shouldn’t be, and that’s precisely why we’re obsessed with them! These ladies are the real MVPs of his cinematic universe, and here’s why.

No sugar, just spice (and everything not-so-nice)

Kashyap’s heroines don’t sugarcoat things. Because frankly, they don’t need to. They don’t say things to please you, only what they have to. Take Paro in Dev D — she’s not a crying mess after Dev leaves her. She is on her own journey, dealing with love and loss like a real boss. We’re rooting for her because she’s complicated, messy and real, like all of us. And why wouldn’t we root for someone who seems like a potential friend?

Stereotypes who?

Kashyap’s heroines don’t know what stereotypes are. Remember Anjali from No Smoking or Chanda from Dev D? None of them were how we imagined them to be. Anjali was not your typical housewife; she was mysterious and complex, defying societal norms by leaving her husband when he didn’t quit smoking. Chanda was a sex worker, but nothing like we have seen on screen before. She owns her sexuality and isn’t ashamed of it. She’s a badass, and we’re here for every second of it!

They are layered characters

Anurag Kashyap’s heroines are multi-dimensional and layered, like an onion. They are not there to sit still and look pretty. They have their personality and ambitions, and they are willing to go to any lengths to achieve their goals. Take Rumi from Manmarziyan — she’s not just the love interest. She has her aspirations and dreams, which she is passionately committed to. And we stan a queen who knows what she wants!

They are the real queens

Knights in shining armour aren’t a big deal; Kashyap’s heroines are! They are the real queens because they are empowered in their chaos. Mohsina in Gangs of Wasseypur wasn’t just the wife of the gangster. She was a gangster herself. And most importantly, she wasn’t afraid to say no, even to her gangster lover. She knows her rights and would stand her ground no matter against whom. When she comes on screen, good luck trying to ignore her. But the real question is – Did you ask her permission to look away?

They are real role models

Forget the Sati-Savitri, good-at-everything, I-will-live-and-die-with-my-husband heroines we were taught to idolise. Kashyap’s heroines are the women we should look up to. They are not defined by their relationship or societal norms. They are imperfect but perfectly real, have their own lives, and don’t give it up for anything or anyone. That’s what we should be aiming for. 

I love Durga from Gangs of Wasseypur. I mean, who needs therapy when you can use your son to ruin the entire khandaan of the man who wronged you? I’m here to see women as the complicated beings that they are. Not just as girlfriends or wives but as characters with genuine problems and choices. I am not saying Kashyap’s portrayal of women is perfect, but it’s authentic and raw. Women are not one-dimensional in his stories, and I’m here for all the chaos they can bring to the table.

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