It is always said that the life of a woman is not easy. From biological constraints to family responsibilities and professional duties, women keep struggling all their lives. On top of it, they are burdened with rigid societal rules that aren’t applicable to the other gender. However, as time has progressed, few women have come out and fought the stereotypes. Even our Bollywood beauties have made some bold choices in their personal lives that serve as an inspiration to women at large. Let’s check out a list of Bollywood actresses who broke societal stereotypes in their own way!
1. Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen has been breaking stereotypes since forever. She was 18 years old when she won Miss Universe pageant in 1994. At the peak of her career, she made the bold decision of becoming a single mother. At the age of 24, she adopted a beautiful girl named Renee. A few years later, she adopted another girl. Sushmita is 47 and still single. She has broken rigid societal stereotype that a girl must get married and then raise a family. She also proved that a woman can be a mother without a man. Sushmita is an inspiration to millions of women around the globe.
2. Neena Gupta
The choices made by Neena Gupta have often been questioned and looked down upon by society. However, she also chose what she felt was best for her. In our society where a woman is expected to stay married to one person, Neena chose to walk out of relationships when it wasn’t working for her. She also kept giving love another chance until she found the right person to get settled with. Neena got married to Amlan Kusum Ghose during her college time. The wedding was short-lived and they parted ways within a year. She was in a relationship with former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards in the late 1980s. Neena got pregnant during their courtship. Though they never got married but Neena decided to keep the baby. After her relationship ended with Richards, she raised her daughter Masaba Gupta all by herself. Much later in her life, she gave love another chance. In 2008, Gupta married New Delhi-based chartered accountant Vivek Mehra.
3. Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra is the definition of success. She, who hailed from a non-filmy background has made a mark in cinema globally. She won Miss World pageant in 2000 and become Bollywood’s leading actress over the years. While she was at the peak of her career in Bollywood, she left it all and started from scratch to make a name in Hollywood. After struggling for 10 years, she is now a Hollywood star as well. She broke stereotypes when she decided to marry American singer Nick Jonas, who is 10 years younger than her. We have generally seen women marrying older men, but Priyanka reversed the societal norms and proved that age is just a number. Priyanka then welcomed her first child via surrogacy.
Must Read: When Anupam Kher Talked About The Pain Of Not Having A Child
4. Raveena Tandon
Popular Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon took a bold step at the age of 21 when she adopted two girls. She legally adopted Pooja and Chhaya in 1995 when they were 11 and 8 years old, respectively. They were the daughters of her deceased cousin. Despite being fearful of how tabloids will present this news, Raveena took this bold step of being a single mother at the peak of her career.
5. Tabu
Tabu has been ruling the Indian box office since 1982. Even after working in the industry for 40 years, she is still relevant and rocking. Tabu is 51 and still single. She broke the societal norm that a woman must marry to live a happy life.
6. Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza broke the societal norm when she gave love a second chance. We have always seen men moving on to the next relationship after their first marriage fails. However, Dia chose to marry for the second time after she ended her first marriage. She also inspired other women when she embraced motherhood for the first time at the age of 39.
Check Out: 5 Ways How Dia Mirza Broke Stereotypes During Her Marriage Ceremony
Every woman is an inspiration. We just don’t know their story and the wars they fight on an everyday basis! We, the team of Lehren, salute every woman this Women’s Day!