Trust Shyam Benegal for bringing out humour, tragedy and thrill in the most entertaining way on the silver screen. The ‘Zubeidaa’ director released ‘Mandi’ in 1983 and to date, the movie is known for its perfect comic timing and brilliant performances. What else would anyone expect when Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Neena Gupta and Soni Razdan are a part of a great script like this one. Shabana Azmi as Rukmini Bai, a Madame who runs a brothel in Hyderabad played a role of an older woman who doesn’t shy away in fighting the patriarchal society. She also has a great sense of humour and delivers some of the most memorable dialogues in the movie.

Sneha in Pudhupettai

It may sound unfair to say that Kollywood was slightly a better place a ago with some of the best movies making the cut on screen. Sneha’s role as Krishnaveni, a sex worker who falls in love with Dhanush and marries him, was quuite a surprise. Sneha was known for her non-risky characters onscreen, however, post the release of Padhupettai she proved she could be versatile and bankable. Her portrayal of a prostitute who wants to lead a normal family life, is heartwarming. Wish we today had more actresses like her in south cinema who brought out emotions the way she did.