International Women’s Day: Bengali TV shows which feature strong female characters

From the popular period-drama ‘Rani Rashmoni’ to ‘Phirki’, a number of Bengali television shows have featured strong female characters. These shows narrated the story of women who not only impressed the audience with a charismatic personality but also made their presence felt with a never-say-never attitude towards life. On International Women’s Day, here are a few Bengali television serials which featured strong women.

Rani Rashmoni, the founder of Dakshineswar Kali Temple, left an indelible mark in the history of Bengal. During British raj, when women were only allowed inside the house, Rashmoni was way ahead of her time with her intelligence and fearless attitude. She not only used her intelligence in business but also took interest in social reforms and was a well-known philanthropist. In fact, she dared to go against British rulers when most of the influential Indians were afraid of them. Actress Ditipriya Roy is playing the titular role in the daily soap based on Rashmoni’s life. The show is quite popular and rules the TRP chart, thanks to the interesting storytelling and Ditipriya who left the audience mesmerized with her powerful acting. Not many Bengali TV shows have featured a powerful character like Rashmoni.

Bengali literature hasn’t seen many characters like Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’ Debi Choudhurani, who waged war against British rulers that too in an era when women were forced to live under the veil. Her transformation from naïve Prafulla to Dakat rani Debi Choudhurani, was really amazing. Her fearless spirit while fighting against British rulers was equally inspiring. Debi Choudhurani’s character not only lived in the pages of the famous novel but stayed in also adapted in films and television shows. Suchitra Sen played the character on-screen in the film directed by Dinen Gupta. Small screen too adapted the story for TV shows. Prafulla starring Chitrangada and ‘Debi Choudhurani’ starring debutante Sonamoni tried to woo the audience. While ‘Prafulla’ couldn’t show its wonder and went off-air after some time, Sonamoni starrer show reportedly enjoyed some creative freedom drifting away from the original novel. However, the shows are worth a mention mostly because Bengali daily soaps haven’t seen a strong character like ‘Debi Choudhurani’.

Bengali television never saw any character like Lokkhi, a transgender mom. Lokkhi rescued a baby girl who was abandoned by her parents. She faces all sorts of hurdles while making her baby girl smile. The show beautifully narrates how Lokkhi had to face the stigma. On International Women’s Day, Phirki, featuring an inspirational character like Lokkhi, is certainly worth a mention.

Indrani Halder starrer show ‘Sreemoyee’ is certainly one of the most successful TV shows launched in 2019. Housewife Sreemoyee, who dedicated her life towards her family and ended up with almost nothing in her hands, wooed the audience. The character is quite relatable to the viewers, mostly women. After being humiliated by in-laws, husband and children, Sreemoye realizes enough is enough. The middleclass housewife in the late 40s, who faced everything quietly, turns back. After learning about her husband’s extramarital affair with his colleague June, she determines herself for a divorce and starts afresh. Though the show has been reportedly criticized for featuring high voltage melodrama, kitchen politics, and shrewd ‘June Auntie’, Bengali television hasn’t seen much cheaters like Sreemoyee, who wants to create her own identity, earn her bread and take care of her former in-laws even after divorce. The show which portrayed a strong female lead, also has two more women characters who are worth mention. Sreemoyee’s friend Antara (played by Anushree das) who inspired her to live her life fearlessly and Sreemoyee’s househelp Mithu di also represent strong female characters on-screen.

The daily soap featuring Koneenica Banerjee and Kaushik Chakraborty in the lead characters was launched in 2017. Show’s protagonist Paramesahwari couldn’t pursue her education due to financial constraints but she is a good singer. She hails from a middle-class family and gets married to a divorced man. Her husband Abhimanyu already has a daughter named Juju. Parameshwari takes care of Juju like a mother. What makes the Parameshwari worth mention is that her spirit of protesting against domestic violence, be it on her or her mother-in-law Kundanandini. In the show, show she was seen raising her voice against her father-in-law Debabrata Bose when he tried to hit Kundanandini. Despite facing odds, Parameshwari pursued her career in music. Koneenica was quite convincing as Parameshwari.

The Manali Manisha Dey and Suman Dey starrer show ‘Nakshi Kantha’ features a strong female lead. Protagonist Shabnam fought against her abusive father, rescued her mom who was a victim of domestic violence, became a doctor and never feared to raise her voice against any odd. Manali gave flesh and blood to the character with her powerful acting. Though the show reportedly drew some criticism for featuring multiple marriages of male lead Josh, Shabnam definitely won the hearts of the audience with her fighting spirit.

The recently launched show also has a strong female lead. Amon is a tribal girl who wants to be a journalist. She comes to the city and continues her fight. Though Bengali television has Baha’s character in ‘Ishti Kutum’, Amon is more fearless and more realistic. Actress Parno Mittra is playing the character Amon in ‘Kora Pakhi’.

The show caught the attention of the audience with its realistic storyline which highlighted the issue of triple talaq. The show featured protagonist Jahaanara who is educated and possesses liberal thoughts. Jahaanara raised voice when her sister’s husband wanted to marry her (Jahannara). Though the story concentrated more on family issues later, the character Jahaanara made her presence felt on the small screen. Actress Sweta Mishra made her debut with the show and was praised for playing the character.

The daily storyline revolved around housewife Uma who lives in a joint family. She is the perfect example of an adarsh bahu who can sacrifice her life for the family. Uma's sister-in-law Kanka is left traumatized after she is raped by some miscreants. This changes the dynamics of the family as Uma, who was known as an adarsh bahu until now, goes against her family to find out the culprits who are responsible for Kanak’s situation. The transformation of a dutiful housewife to a fearless woman was beautifully narrated in the show. Actress Kamalika Banerjee played Uma.

The daily soap was launched with an interesting storyline. It narrated the struggle of an acid attack victim. Actress Roshni Bhattacharyya played the lead role. The show is worth a mention because Bengali television hasn’t featured characters like Shruti, whose spirit was intact even after the traumatic experience of acid attack.

The show highlighted the issue of human trafficking. The story revolves around Koli, a victim of human trafficking. Mahi rescues Koli and takes care of her. She isn’t aware of the fact that fiancé Parijat runs the human trafficking racket. The moment Mahi learns the reality, she denies marrying Parijat (played by Gourab Mandal) and asks him to take responsibility of Koli instead. Actress Neha Amandeep as strong and determined Mahi is quite convincing.

A number of daily soaps have been launched showcasing the bonding of two sisters. ‘Kanak Kakan’ made abuzz because of the characterization of these two sisters. According to the story, Kanak-Kakan's father was an athlete and wanted the Kanak to become a sprinter like him. Kakan, who left dance for her breathing-issues, starts performing in the shows to fulfil her late father’s wish. Aspirant sprinter Kanak, on the other hand, realizes the sacrifices made by her sister. Even after Kakan's marriage, she continues to be her sister's shield. Though the show is concentrating more on family-drama these days, the characters Kanak and Kakan are quite interesting especially because they represent independent women who continued their struggle even after facing many hardships in life.