Most talked-about actresses of 2016

2016 was all about woman power. From Alia Bhatt stunning us with her convincing portrayal of a Bihari migrant in ‘Udta Punjab’ to Kirti Kulhari astonishing us with her brilliant performance in ‘Pink,’ the year is packed with performances which deserve to be talked about. With 2016 coming to an end, we bring you the most talked about actresses of the year who made noise for all the right reasons.

“Too good, too soon” is what Shah Rukh Khan had to say about Alia Bhatt’s four-year-long career which has so far seen her playing a variety of characters, all with the ease of a veteran. With only a few films to her credit, Alia has proved that there is a lot more to her than just that charming face. Her brilliant performance in ‘Udta Punjab’ was another testimony to that fact. Portraying a Bihari migrant working as a farmer in Punjab who is sexually and physically abused by a gang of drug peddlers, Alia got every emotion right, so much so that she left you in tears. Towards the end of the year, we saw Alia in a refreshing avatar in ‘Dear Zindagi.’ Her act of a 20-something who is struggling with her personal life, was definitely a treat to watch.

Also read: Alia Bhatt says people's love means the most to her

If you manage to hold your own in a film starring Salman Khan, you know you’re on the right track. Well, that’s Anushka Sharma for you right from the akhadas of Haryana in the year’s biggest hit so far – ‘Sultan.’ Not only did she get the Haryanvi accent right but also impressed the audience with her amazing screen presence. From a wrestler wanting to make it big to a mother grappling with the loss of her child, Anushka played every shade of her character with finesse. She delivered yet another memorable performance towards the end of the year in ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.’

Also Read: Anushka Sharma thanks Shah Rukh Khan for being best co-star

Radhika Apte is one of the most gifted actors we have in Bollywood. For Radhika, it has always been about doing films with strong content and with ‘Phobia’ and ‘Parched’, she proved that yet again. While she shocked us with her riveting performance of a girl suffering from Agoraphobia in ‘Phobia,’ ‘Parched’ saw her playing a village girl who is physically abused by her husband as she is thought to be infertile.

Also Read: Radhika Apte's love for short film continues

Sonam Kapoor’s performance in ‘Neerja’ was truly a revelation. In the biopic that applauded the bravado of flight attendant Neerja Bhanot who lost her life while saving the passengers aboard Pan Am Flight 73 that was hijacked by terrorists in September 1986, Sonam was gritty yet vulnerable. It was probably for the first time in her nine-year-long film career that she carried the film entirely on her shoulders and emerged a winner. Sonam couldn’t have chosen a better way to shut her detractors who often criticised her acting skills.

Also Read: Shahid Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor named hottest vegetarians

Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s ‘Pink’ is one brave film that initiated the discussion on the importance of consent in sexual relationships. While the film boasted of stellar performances,
Kirti Kulhari was at her finest. Her portrayal of a subdued Delhi girl, who finds the strength in her to fight all opposition when the situation demands, was simply outstanding. Watch the scene where she breaks down in the court and you’ll know why she made it to this list.

Also Read: Kirti Kulhari: I have the capacity to carry a film on my shoulder