If on the one hand, there was Preity Zinta playing the sweet and gentle soul in films like Koi… Mil Gaya and Kal Ho Naa Ho, on the other, there was Rani Mukerji playing the self-willed, strong woman who refuses to tolerate nonsense from her hubby in Chalte Chalte.

Urmila Matondkar defied her ambitious mother Shabana Azmi, another iron-hard character in Tehzeeb.

Indeed, hardcore commercial actresses attempted to do more than candyfloss fare. Kareena Kapoor, who has made millions playing bimbettes, wore a gaudy red and blue sari, garish make up, and cheap jewellery to get her look right in Chameli, in which she plays a hooker.

Aishwarya Rai's Nandini in Chokher Bali was an erotic, scheming extension of her docile avatar in Devdas.

Sandhya Mridul and Sushmita Sen appeared to be in touch with their masculine sides as tough police officers in Waisa Bhi Hota Hai II and Samay-When Time Strikes.

Text: Sukanya Verma

Interview with Sandhya Mridul
'Sushmita is not a Kiran Bedi'