Female Stars Who Turned Unconventional Roles into Box Office Hits

MUMBAI: It usually takes a mix of talent and opportunity to establish an actor as a bankable star. Among today’s generation of Bollywood stars, several actresses have taken the box office by storm with unconventional roles. Notably, Shraddha Kapoor achieved phenomenal success with the lifetime collections of the much-anticipated Stree 2, while Triptii Dimri is riding high with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 crossing the 200 crore mark—her next big blockbuster after Animal. In recent years, female-led films like Padmaavat, starring Deepika Padukone, and Gangubai Kathiawadi, starring Alia Bhatt, have achieved similar box-office success.

Here’s a look at some popular female stars who turned unconventional roles into box-office hits:

1) Triptii Dimri: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 & Animal

Triptii Dimri’s star power emerged as a force with box-office blockbusters like Animal and, more recently, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. In Animal, Dimri played Zoya Riaz, a bold, layered character alongside Ranbir Kapoor, which resonated deeply with audiences despite limited screen time. In Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, she plays the role of Princess Meera—a sweet and beautiful character. The film recently crossed the 200 crore mark, reaffirming her status as a hitmaker in commercial cinema.

2) Shraddha Kapoor: Stree 2

The Stree franchise is one of the most beloved horror-comedy series today. While the first film was a blockbuster that surpassed the 100 crore mark, the second installment took it to another level, becoming a mega blockbuster. Female-led films rarely reach such heights, but Shraddha Kapoor, as Stree, has repeatedly shown that well-told stories in commercial cinema can captivate audiences and break records.

3) Rashmika Mandanna: Pushpa

As boundaries between Hindi and South Indian cinema continue to blur, Rashmika Mandanna has become a major star. Already famous in the South, her popularity skyrocketed with Pushpa alongside Allu Arjun, a blockbuster that further endeared her to audiences. With Pushpa 2 on the horizon, the excitement around her continues to grow.

4) Deepika Padukone: Padmaavat

Padmaavat marked Deepika Padukone’s third collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and it was another blockbuster. Playing Maharani Padmavati, Deepika brought depth and power to her role, showcasing her range as an actor. Despite facing significant challenges prior to release, the film grossed over 571 crore, making it the highest-grossing film of its year. Deepika’s performance in this historical epic underscored her remarkable talent and box-office appeal.

5) Alia Bhatt: Gangubai Kathiawadi

Alia Bhatt is one of her generation’s most acclaimed actresses, with a gift for powerful performances. Fulfilling her longtime dream to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Alia starred in Gangubai Kathiawadi, which not only delivered impressive box-office collections post-Covid but also earned her a National Award. The film grossed approximately 209 crore globally, with Bhatt leading the way. Her success with Gangubai Kathiawadi demonstrated the potential of Bollywood heroines to carry major box-office hits when given the right roles and opportunities.