Bollywood actresses of the year – Beyond Bollywood

2024 was a year of strong comebacks, young talent making their mark on the big stage, and one seasoned professional continuing to impress.

By Mayur Lookhar

An actress is more than just a performer; she is a storyteller, a muse, and a force that shapes narratives. Honouring the best of the year means celebrating women who, with their talent, resilience, and grace, redefine the boundaries of cinema and leave an indelible mark on our hearts.

With each passing year, it’s our women who lead the way, not just in cinema but in all walks of life. Our expertise, however, is limited to judging good content in cinema. And this year, our ladies have raised the bar. 2024 was a year of strong comebacks, young talent announcing themselves on the big stage, while one seasoned pro continued to impress. Without further ado, we bring you the top performances by female artistes in 2024.

11 Jyotika – Shaitaan & Srikanth

Years ago, Jyotika migrated to Chennai after marrying South star Suriya. She prioritized family over career. 2024 was the year Jyotika returned to the screen. The Mumbai-born actress made a successful comeback to Bollywood, impressing in not one but two films. She made a fine return with an emotionally gripping performance in Vikas Bahl’s horror thriller Shaitaan.

Jyoti (Jyotika) is naturally disturbed as her daughter and family are held hostage by a dangerous visitor. Fears loom large, but when the stress becomes overwhelming, Jyotika unleashes her motherly instincts, putting up a brave fight while her husband begins to show signs of defeat. There was hardly any rustiness as Jyotika captivated audiences with her intense performance.

Later in the year, we saw a completely different side of her in Tushar Hiranandani’s Srikanth. As Devika, Jyotika portrayed a positive, full-of-life character. She was a God-sent teacher and more of a mentor to Srikanth. Her positivity rubbed off on him and the audiences alike. We all wish we had a teacher like Devika.

Let’s not underestimate the contribution of her star husband, who graciously decided to shift to Mumbai for his wife’s second innings in Hindi cinema.

10 Radhika Madan – Sarfira

Original or remake, we were in awe of director Sudha Kongara’s female protagonists – be it Aparna Balamurali as Sundari in Soorarai Pottru or Radhika Madan as Rani in Sarfira the Delhi girl had limited experience playing a Puneri character in Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video (2023), where she didn’t speak more than a sentence in Marathi. Here, though, Madan relishes her chance to speak the language. Playing a haughty, confident character helped her express Rani better. Madan never lets the age gap between Akshay Kumar and her affect her performance. The dynamics of their relationship go a long way in both Vir and Rani achieving their dreams, while also providing the much-needed spice for the audience. Madan shows maturity beyond her years in playing a tough, khadoos, and equally enterprising character.

9 Ananya Panday – CTRL

One is not being empathetic, but nepokids face utmost scrutiny now. No amount of PR will work; the only way to earn respect is through conduct and performance. Ananya Panday showed promise in her debut film Student of the Year 2 (2024) before hitting a prolonged rough patch. Panday perhaps stemmed the rot with a respectable performance in Gehraiyaan (2022). Two years later, she stands as one of the most improved actors among star kids. She was much praised for the web series Call Me Bae. Then came the Netflix film CTRL. Here was another Indian film that limited AI to companionship, but at the same time cautioned against its cons. 

While the film didn’t appeal to us much, Panday held her ground with a strong yet vulnerable performance. With two fine performances this year, hopefully, the nepotism debate around her is shut once and for all.

8 Janki Bodiwala – Shaitaan

She started as a child artiste in 2015, and eight years later, she made her debut as a lead in the Gujarati film Vash. Its success led to Ajay Devgn, Panorama Studios, and Jio Studios acquiring the rights for Vash. One year later, we had Shaitaan, with Bodiwala also starring in the Hindi remake. Yes, having experienced the conflict before, she knew the journey of the character, but revisiting the same trauma and emotions for a young girl must not have been easy. Bodiwala left us stunned with her intensity in playing a character (Jahnvi) that is literally remote-controlled by a foul being. Be it the chaos or displaying vulnerability, Bodiwala was the toast of the Vikas Bahl directorial. Jeez, this Shaitaan has unleashed one hell of a talent in Bodiwala.

7 Nitanshi Goel – Laapataa Ladies

Laaptataa Ladies introduced us to a couple of exceptional young talents. Young Nitanshi Goel began her career as a child artiste. This is said to be her maiden role as a leading actress. She wins you over with her rustic innocence. Her delightful tone is so child-like. Though now a bride, poor Phool has the look of a lost child. That scene when she runs away upon seeing a crippled beggar at the Pateela station rekindles childhood memories. She is so tender, so pure, a modicum of innocence. Phool jaisi nahi, phool hi hai, balki phool si bachhi hai (She is like a flower, like a tender child). We constantly got that feeling while watching Goel. In fact, we feared whether we were witnessing any balika vadhu (child marriage). Nitanshi Goel delivers a heartfelt and convincing performance. Her character adds depth and emotional resonance to the story, capturing attention with her expressive acting and natural screen presence.

6 Aarohi Saud – Tikdam

Over the years, we have seen how child artistes leave us stunned with their performances. Most directors and casting directors will tell you how children have no fear of the camera. Their innocence ensures they only realise the magnitude of their work years later. 

Vivek Anchalia’s Tikdam is a heartwarming family drama featuring three child artistes as the leads. Arisht Jain and Divyansh Dwivedi deliver good performances, but it is the little angel Aarohi Saud who steals our imagination. Her character, Cheeni, speaks in a gibberish language understood only by her brother. Thankfully, the gibberish is not a speech deficiency, as the film is narrated in the clear voice of Cheeni as an adult. 

Despite no clear words, Saud performs brilliantly. Little Aarohi captivates with her abundant cuteness and joyful performance, partly rekindling memories of a young Sarika in Masoom [1983]. 

5 Tisca Chopra – Murder Mubarak

Homi Adajania’s dark comedy Murder Mubarak received mixed reviews, but it struck a chord with me, primarily due to its pretentious yet hilarious ensemble cast. Calling them supporting characters would be an injustice, as they are the film’s true driving force. 

Dimple Kapadia, Deven Bhojani, Karisma Kapoor, and Sanjay Kapoor all have well-etched characters, but the standout is Tisca Chopra’s Roshni ‘bakchod’ Chopra, the pretentious queen of the lot. Her inimitable tone and fake laughter are enough to leave you in splits. While a murder case unfolds, Roshni and her gossip buddy Cookie Katoch (Dimple Kapadia) are more intrigued by trivialities. The sight of a corpse would unsettle most, but Katoch takes the opportunity to ogle at the dead man’s thigh. Meanwhile, ACP Bhavani Singh is talking serious stuff Roshni sighs, “Why always so serious? Come on, even the rich can crack a joke.” Yes, madam, you certainly do. 

Characters like these are most amusing when circumstances force them to drop their pretentious masks and reveal their true selves. Often, this moment erupts in rage, and Roshni’s roar resonates across the globe. Such rage, however, is frequently followed by a cathartic moment, and only an actor of Tisca Chopra’s caliber can execute this with such conviction. She is truly a master of her craft. 

4 Prajakta Ranta – Laapataa Ladies

We mentioned earlier how Nitanshi Goel’s Phool evoked paternal feelings, but many were left crushing over Pratibha Ranta. Phew, such an enchanting beauty with terrific screen presence. More importantly, she possesses the requisite intensity. Her character, Pushpa Rani, has more to her than meets the eye. Though titled Laapataa Ladies, it was Phool who seemed more laapataa than Pushpa Rani, who seemed in control of her actions. 

We do, however, wonder whether her Krishi Vidya was cultivated organically or as part of any; subsidized’ entertainment. Whatever the case, it grows on you, as Ranta is compelling and near-flawless in her overall act. Ranta was later seen in a special performance in Heeramandi, where she didn’t disappoint. Fans may hail her as the new national crush, but to us, young Prajakta Ranta holds the potential to become a national treasure. 

3 Taapsee Pannu – Khel Khel Mein

Khel Khel Mein lost to competition, but it was perhaps the better film among the Independence Day releases. It saw Akshay Kumar and Taapsee Pannu return to form after years of frustration. 

While her talent is evident, Pannu has lacked consistency. Initially, Harpreet (Pannu) and Harpreet (Ammy Virk) come across as Bollywood’s clichéd Sikh couple. They truly comealive when Mr. Harpreet’s moment of truth arrives. As fate would have it, more messages and voice notes only add to Mr. Harpreet’s misery. The comedy of errors sequence lasts about 7-10 minutes. While the two Harpreets are embarrassed, the brilliant performances by Pannu and Ammy Virk leave the audience in splits. After the moment passes, Mrs. Harpreet returns drunk and continues to amuse with her antics. Give her the right script, character, and director, and see what Pannu is capable of.

2 Yami Gautam – Article 370 

Her social-political views aside, there is no debate over how Yami Gautam has truly grown as an actor in the last five years. From being written off by most critics, Gautam has perhaps won over most of them. The marked shift happened with Bala (2019), where she excelled in a vain character. We were lost in Yami Gautam’s Lost (2023), as the actress mightily impressed us as a young journalist in search of the truth. This year proved to be a double whammy, first with the success of Article 370, and later, a personal joy as Aditya Dhar and Gautam welcomed their first child. Phew, Article 370 still remains fresh in our memories.

Political views on the film will be divided, but not many will differ on the intense performances by Yami Gautam and Priyamani. Zooni might not speak enough Kashmiri, but Gautam delivers another emotionally gripping performance. She also has fun wielding guns. The Zooni (family) backstory is a reminder of how ordinary Kashmiris were exploited by vested interests. If not for the personal loss, would a Zooni have turned out to be a patriot? Nevertheless, Gautam earns respect for another fine showing. Some might say it’s Gautam’s finest effort.

1 Priyamani – Article 370

Maybe in another year or timeline, Yami Gautam’s strong performance as Zooni might have been good enough to win, though she still might win. However, Article 370 featured a virtuoso performance from an actor who had long been lost to the wilderness but, like Gautam, has made a strong comeback in recent years. This is a sheer reflection of Priyamani’s self-belief and mental toughness after years of despair. There’s a saying in Hindi/Urdu, “Upar wale ke ghar dair hain, andher nahi.” Priyamani is a shining example.

Priyamani is latching on to opportunities that perhaps eluded her earlier. Rajeshwari Swaminathan (Priyamani) can be unassuming, but beneath that calm exterior lies a fierce, smart woman who knows how to operate in the world of politics. Priyamani effortlessly slips into her character and is flawless. Zooni and her work like a tag team, where the former is a field agent, while Swaminathan is the hands-on desk officer. She speaks few words, but her calm demeanor and smile go a long way in sending the message across. Most laymen wouldn’t have an idea of officers in the PMO, but if they are like Swaminathan, then these unsung heroes deserve our praise. The popular awards might fail to recognise Priyamani’s effort, but for us, she pips Gautam for the top spot in this list. 

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