Anushka Prasad
Female-led films and web series released in 2025 focused on women who were flawed, powerful, vulnerable, and unapologetically human. Whether they were solving crimes, challenging social norms, or simply choosing themselves, these stories reflected a more honest and layered portrayal of womanhood.
Delhi Crime (Season 3)
Led by Shefali Shah as the sharp and deeply empathetic DIG Vartika Chaturvedi, Delhi Crime returned on Netflix in November with a darker, more complex third season. The series first gained acclaim with Season 1 (2019), which depicted the aftermath of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, while Season 2 (2022) focused on the pursuit of the Kachcha-Baniyan gang. Building on this legacy, Season 3 followed Vartika and her largely female-driven team as they investigated a disturbing case inspired by real events, exposing deep-rooted systems of crime and exploitation. Shah’s restrained yet powerful performance continued to anchor the show, portraying a woman navigating leadership, moral fatigue, and emotional resilience within a brutal justice system.
Dabba Cartel
Streaming on Netflix and released in February, Dabba Cartel featured an ensemble of formidable women, including Shabana Azmi, Jyothika, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, and Anjali Anand. What began as a modest tiffin delivery business soon spiralled into a dangerous cartel run entirely by women. Each character brought her own vulnerabilities and strengths to the table, making the series as much about survival, sisterhood, and power as it was about crime.
Mandala Murders
Launched on Netflix in July, Mandala Murders starred Vaani Kapoor alongside Surveen Chawla in a chilling thriller where female investigators took centre stage. Set in a mysterious town plagued by ritualistic killings, the series followed Kapoor’s character as she pieced together crimes rooted in mythology, belief, and buried secrets. The show blended psychological tension with investigative grit, placing women at the forefront of uncovering unsettling truths.
Single Salma
Released on Netflix in October, Single Salma saw Huma Qureshi shine as Salma, a confident, independent woman whose life was constantly reduced to a single label—being single. Set against the backdrop of a modern Indian household, the series explored love, societal pressure, and self-worth through humour and warmth, questioning why a woman’s happiness is so often measured by marriage rather than choice.
Bad Girl
Streaming on Jio Hotstar from September, Bad Girl was a raw, coming-of-age Tamil film led by Anjali Sivaraman. The film followed a young woman navigating desire, rebellion, and identity in a judgmental world, confronting labels imposed by family and society. Sivaraman delivered a fearless performance that captured the vulnerability, confusion, and courage of growing up female in a restrictive environment.
