5 Films on Women's Power: From 'Pinjar' to 'Chitralekha', One Won 2 National Awards

• Parineeta (2005): Based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, Vidya Balan's memorable role as Lalita, depicting love against societal norms in 1960s Kolkata.
• Pinjar (2003): Based on Amrita Pritam's novel, portrays women's tragedy during India-Pakistan partition, Urmila Matondkar as Puro, won 2 National Awards.
• Lajja (2001): Inspired by Taslima Nasrin's novel, Rajkumar Santoshi's film questions women's status, showcasing struggles of four female characters against exploitation.
• Chitralekha (1964): Based on Bhagwati Charan Verma's novel, Meena Kumari as Chitralekha explores sin and virtue, depicting a woman's independent will versus societal morality.
• Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962): Guru Dutt's classic, Meena Kumari as Chhoti Bahu, highlights a woman's agony and struggle in the Bengali zamindari system.