Deepika Padukone, Ana de Armas, Alia Bhatt: How actresses are leading the action revolution on the big screen

Time of India

a day ago

Not too long ago, the phrase 'action star' conjured up images of brawny men with bulging muscles and ripped abs leaping from explosions. But the tides are turning—and fast. As the film industry evolves, it is no longer just about brute force and testosterone-fueled combat.
Today, it's about nuance, grit, intelligence, and power—and this time, it's the women who are bringing it all to the table. From warrior queens to sleek assassins and spies to covert ops experts, actresses like
Deepika Padukone
,
Ana de Armas
,
Scarlett Johansson
, Alia Bhatt, and
Priyanka Chopra
are redefining what it means to be an action hero. With Hollywood and Bollywood's leading men taking a step back, the next phase of cinematic universes is being driven by female leads. The future of action is female, and going by the film line-up, it here to stay.
Deepika Padukone turns warrior queen for Atlee's AA22xA6
Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has officially joined the cast of director Atlee's much-anticipated film featuring Telugu superstar Allu Arjun in the lead. The currently untitled project, backed by Sun Pictures, was announced on Arjun's 43rd birthday in April and has already generated massive buzz.
Confirming her entry into the film, Sun Pictures wrote on Instagram, 'The Queen marches to conquer! Welcome onboard @deepikapadukone #TheFacesOfAA22xA6 #AA22xA6 - A Magnum Opus from Sun Pictures.'
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Welcome on board Deepika Padukone | The Faces of #AA22xA6 | Allu Arjun | Sun Pictures | Atlee
A video released by the production house showcases Atlee narrating the script to Padukone, along with behind-the-scenes footage of the actress in motion-capture gear as she shoots some epic stunt sequences. The visuals hint at Padukone playing a regal, warrior-like character, riding into battle as she takes on some other-worldly creatures.
The project is being described as a 'magnum opus' and promises to deliver a cinematic experience unlike anything seen in Indian cinema before.
It brings together top-tier talent from across the globe, including renowned Hollywood VFX supervisor James Madigan, known for Iron Man 2 and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. In a previously released announcement, Madigan remarked, 'I just got done reading the script and I got to say, my head is still spinning.
'
With high expectations riding on the film and a star-studded team both in front of and behind the camera, the Atlee-Allu Arjun-Deepika collaboration is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Indian film projects in recent years.
Ana de Armas Breaks the Mould with Ballerina
Ana de Armas takes centre stage in Ballerina, a standalone action-thriller set in the ever-expanding John Wick universe. Directed by Len Wiseman, the film introduces de Armas as Eve Macarro—a poised yet ruthless assassin seeking vengeance on her own terms. Set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, the film expands the franchise while placing its new lead firmly in the spotlight.
'She's not walking in his shadow,' de Armas says of Keanu Reeves' iconic John Wick. 'She lights a path of her own.'
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025) 'CCXP Extended Look' - Ana de Armas, Norman Reedus
While the film nods to the mythos of Wick—particularly the Ruska Roma assassin training school—it never sidelines Eve. In fact, one of its most electrifying moments sees her face off against the Baba Yaga himself, signalling that she's not merely a female echo of the legendary hitman, but a powerhouse in her own right.
Though de Armas admired the franchise, she was intent on ensuring Ballerina could stand independently. 'We wanted Eve to be approachable and realistic,' she explains. 'She had a very traumatic childhood that changed the lens through which she sees life.'
The transformation into Eve demanded more than just emotional depth—it required intense physical preparation. 'I had some experience in action films, but I don't think I knew the level of discipline that was required for this film,' de Armas admits.
Actress Huma Qureshi, who hosted a special screening of Ballerina, encapsulated the mood perfectly on Instagram, 'There's something so powerful about watching a woman own the frame—fists, flaws and all. I truly believe the #FutureIsFemaleAction—and I want to help build that future, one frame at a time.'
Even Mission: Impossible icon Tom Cruise was impressed. Speaking at the London premiere of The Final Reckoning, he said, 'I just saw the movie—it kicks ass.'
From Superhero to Survivalist
Scarlett Johansson, no stranger to action from her Black Widow days, now returns with the high-octane sci-fi thriller Jurassic World Rebirth. Playing Zora Bennett, a covert ops expert sent on a high-stakes mission to extract dinosaurs for their revolutionary DNA, Johansson proves that even in a world filled with prehistoric beasts, a woman with intellect and precision can command the screen.
'Zora is a gun for hire with a rich past and private pain,' she explains. 'I thought we could convey all that by creating a character who was at a turning point in her life… she's made so many sacrifices for others; what is she ready to do for herself?'
Jurassic World Rebirth | Official Trailer 2
Action with Depth and Realism
More than just fists and firepower, today's action heroines are crafted with intention. Director Neil Burger put it best when discussing Phoebe Dynevor's character in Inheritance.
He explained, 'We never objectified her… She's a sexual creature, but she's not using it in any kind of way. She just uses her wits.'
This evolution in the portrayal of women is no coincidence. Filmmakers are increasingly aware that audiences crave authenticity—female leads who are human first, beautiful second, and never defined by male validation. Even Superman star Rachel Brosnahan, taking on the iconic Lois Lane, emphasises this shift, 'We're very similar in a lot of ways… I understand her passion, her determination, and her feeling motivated by the word 'no.
''
Desi Divas Redefine Action In Indian Cinema
Alia Bhatt is diving headfirst into the action genre with Alpha, YRF's first all-female spy thriller, co-starring Sharvari. Set in Kashmir and brimming with espionage, gunfire, and fierce ambition, Alpha aims to be India's answer to global spy franchises.
'Greek alphabet ka sabse pehla akshar… aur jungle mein hamesha raj karega—ALPHA!' Bhatt declares in the film's teaser.
Sharvari calls it her 'dream role,' and under Shiv Rawail's direction, the film blends adrenaline with purpose.
Priyanka Chopra, meanwhile, continues to break ground globally. From Don and Quantico to Citadel, her reputation as an action star is well-earned. Fans of the star saw her in action as the globe-trotting elite spy with nerve, wit, and stunning combat skills. The star, who has made no secret about her desire to play 007, will soon get her time to shine as an MI6 agent in Heads of State.
While PC has stayed mum about her role, John Cena, her co-star in the upcoming action-comedy praised her saying, 'She stepped right in and she belonged… She kicks a** in the movie.
'
Heads of State - Final Trailer | Prime Video
Rani Mukerji
is not new to the action space. With Mardaani, she pioneered the female cop thriller genre in Bollywood. Now, she's back for Mardaani 3, promising an even darker, deadlier instalment.
'I'm proud to essay the character of this feisty cop again… Mardaani 3 is dark, deadly and brutal,' she said, adding that it would be 'a tribute to all the unsung, brave, self-sacrificing cops.'
A Superhero Roster Redefined by Women
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) charts a bold new course in its post-Infinity Saga era, one of the most transformative shifts is its redefinition of who gets to wear the cape—or wield the shield. No longer relegated to sidekick roles or token representation, women are now stepping into the spotlight as primary protagonists, franchise pillars, and moral centres of the narrative.
For years, female superheroes in the MCU were few and often underutilised. But with the departure of legacy characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow, Marvel has made a clear pivot towards a more inclusive and dynamic lineup—one led by women whose stories carry emotional weight, cultural relevance, and fresh perspectives.
These are not mere gender-swapped replacements. They are fully fleshed-out characters with unique arcs that reflect the complexity of modern heroism.
Florence Pugh
as Yelena Belova
Brie Larson
as Captain Marvel
Iman Vellani
as Ms. Marvel
Hailee Steinfeld
as Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)
Dominique Thorne
as Ironheart
Letitia Wright
as the new Black Panther
Tatiana Maslany
as She-Hulk
Julia Garner
as the female Silver Surfer
Hayley Atwell
as Captain Carter
What unites these characters isn't just their abilities, but their emotional resonance. They deal with trauma, legacy, family, identity, and purpose in ways that ground their superhuman stories in real-world struggles.
Whether it's Kamala wrestling with teenage expectations, Yelena's quest for redemption, or Shuri coping with unimaginable loss, each character adds complexity and humanity to a genre that once prioritised spectacle over soul.
With these characters poised to lead solo franchises, team-ups, and crossovers in the years to come, Marvel isn't just passing the baton—it's rebuilding the entire track. And at the front of the pack are heroines who prove that strength lies not just in power, but in perseverance, purpose, and complexity.
Each of these characters offers more than brute strength—they bring complexity, cultural depth, and relatability. From grief-stricken successors to morally conflicted vigilantes, the future of superhero storytelling is being sculpted by strong, layered female leads.
The Action Heroine Has Arrived And She's Not Going Anywhere
The age of female-led action is not a fleeting trend—it's a cultural reset. Whether it's Deepika Padukone's warrior queen or Ana de Armas' balletic vengeance, Alia Bhatt's spy ferocity, these women are rewriting what it means to be powerful on screen and they're doing it with heart, hurt, humour, and unrelenting heat. So, move over, Bond, Bourne and Hunt—the future belongs to this legion of fierce women who are kicking down the cinematic doors once guarded by men.