In the kind of films being made since the advent of Mr Amitabh Bachchan the roles of the actresses have been minimised to being just glamour dolls.
Earlier the films being made were either romantic films or social dramas wherein the hero and the heroine had equal importance and equal opportunity to showcase their histrionics.
And since the Amitabh era which gave way to action films in a big way the heroines have been reduced to be being used just as a prop in Hindi films.
Don’t really want to name five names because that would be unfair to the rest.
I would certainly like to mention a few names.
Who can forget the illustrious Meena Kumari. Her performances in films like Pakeezah, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam and so many more.
Then of course there was Madhubala. Prettier than the word pretty itself, not in the typical sense of the word though. Her smile, her charm, her style and her attitude were all to die for.
In the later years there was the dancing sensation Vyajayantimala who gave songs in Hindi cinema a new definition. Also her performances were something to look forward to.
Another south heroine was Hema Malini whose speech was well, ..... the less said about it the better. But she was one actress who fitted every character she played to a T. Be it Basanti in Sholay or her dual roles in Seeta Aur Geeta, to mention a few.
The one who totally ruled the roost and changed the perception of the Hindi film heroine in the 80s was definitely Sridevi. One actress who was more than a 100 per cent in every department. Be it her dancing or acting or looks.
The ones to have left their mark in the 90s have been Madhuri Dixit and Kajol. We have all seen their work to say the least.