7 iconic roles by Ratna Pathak Shah we'll not be getting over anytime soon!

Let's take a moment to celebrate the range, the depth, and the sheer brilliance of an actress who has consistently redefined what it means to be iconic!

For decades, Ratna Pathak Shah has graced our screens, not just as a performer but as someone who has contributed immensely to Indian cinema. From the hilariously high-strung Maya Sarabhai whose witty barbs are still quotable today to the wonderfully grounded Nutan in 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' who redefined on-screen motherhood, Ratna Pathak Shah has gifted us a treasure trove of iconic characters. Whether she's riding a motorcycle to Khardung La as the adventurous Rani in 'Dhak Dhak,' or bringing a touch of regal elegance and a dash of playful disapproval as Nirmala Devi Rathore in 'Khoobsurat,' she has an uncanny ability to breathe life into every role. She has always been the flag bearer of playing strong headed women on-screen, even in an era when women were nothing more than the love interests in a film. 

Also Read - 7 Shahid Kapoor characters who gave us lessons to remember for life!

Here's revisiting her most iconic characters!

Maya Sarabhai - Sarabhai vs Sarabhai

Okay, so Maya Sarabhai is an absolutely a feminist icon, even if she'd probably roll her eyes at the label. It's not about big, dramatic speeches; it's in her everyday interactions. She constantly challenged the regressive norms her daughter-in-law, Monisha, embodied. Remember how she'd always call out Monisha's habits? It wasn't just about the brand of detergent; it was about rejecting the idea that a woman's worth is tied to domestic frugality. Or how she'd absolutely refuse to let Indravadan dictate her social life? She'd have her own friends, own opinions, and she wasn't afraid to voice them, even if it meant a witty barb aimed at her husband. And the way she consistently asserted her own elite social standing, it wasn't just snobbery, it was a way of claiming her space and refusing to be diminished. She was unapologetically herself, a sophisticated woman who didn't fit anyone's mold and there's no one better than Ratna Pathak Shah who could've played this character!

Nutan - Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na

Honestly, Nutan from 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' is the mom we all deserve. She's not perfect, but she's perfectly real. Remember when Aditi was a mess after Jai broke her heart? Nutan didn't try to force her to 'get over it.' She just sat with her, offered comfort, and let Aditi process her feelings. She was married to a Rajput Maharaja but constantly questioned the idea of masculinity in front of him and refused to let her son grow up the same way! Nutan was way ahead of her times IMO and we love Ratna Pathak Shah for picking roles that stay relevant even today!

Usha - Lipstick Under My Burkha

Usha buaji in 'Lipstick Under My Burkha,' is seemingly a traditional, older woman, but she's got this whole secret life going on, and that's what makes her so iconic. It's the way she reclaims her sexuality and desires, even in a society that tries to box her in. Remember when she buys that red nightie? It's a small act of defiance, but it speaks volumes. Or the way she listens to those steamy audiobooks and gets totally into them? She stands by the principal that she is still a woman, and she has needs, no matter how old she gets and she isn't ashamed of it. It was rather gutsy of Ratna Pathak Shah to play a role where in an elderly woman is shown to have sexual desires, when we live in a society that thinks that senior citizens are 'done and dusted'.

Nirmala Devi Rathore - Khoobsurat

Ratna Pathak Shah as Nirmala Devi Rathore in 'Khoobsurat' is brilliantly stiff and hilarious. She's the epitome of royal decorum and control, and that's what makes her so watchable in the film. The way she walks, talks, even just looks at Sonam Kapoor's Milli – she's all about maintaining that rigid order. When Milli tries to hug her for the first time, Nirmala's absolute frozen reaction is gold. Or the way she subtly, but firmly, corrects every little thing Milli does, from her posture to her choice of words. Even when she eventually softens, it's done with such restraint, such subtle shifts in her expression, which tells you that her character comes from a lot of baggage and responsibilites have made her the way she is. But maybe, she also deserved letting loose sometimes?

Sunita Kapoor - Kapoor & Sons'

Sunita Kapoor in 'Kapoor & Sons' is just heartbreakingly real. She's the mom who's holding everything together, when things are falling apart. What makes her so ideal is that she's not pretending to be perfect. She's flawed, she's got her own resentments but she still loves fiercely. The scene where she finally confronts her husband about his affair was this quiet, devastating admission of pain and it showed such incredible strength. And even with all the tension in the family, she's still tried to create these moments of normalcy. She shows how complex and layered motherhood can be and, on most days, it's just about showing up. In the middle of all the unforseen scenarios she was put in, she learnt to adjust to new realities and come out of it stronger. 

Rani - Dhak Dhak

Rani in 'Dhak Dhak' is truly one for the books. She embodies a woman who's lived, learned, and unapologetically embraces her age. Insisting on that bike trip to Khardung La wasn't just a whim; it was a declaration of independence. Watching her tackle the journey's challenges, both physical and emotional, is inspiring. She's vulnerable, yet strong, proving that age is just a number. This is just yet another character in Ratna Pathak Shah's filmography that celebrates womanhood in all its glory!

Geeta - Golmaal 3

Geeta in Golmaal 3 is one of her most fun roles! After raising two sons on her own and managing a chaotic house, she finally takes control over her life much later, when she meets Pritam. She rekindles her long lost romance with him but that brings a swarm of hilarious scenarious between their sons who cannot stand each other at all. Only and only Ratna Pathak Shah can do something like a Lipstick Under My Burkha and find herself in the Rohit Shetty universe and ace that role too!

Happy Birthday to the living legend! We cannot wait to see what her future projects have in store for us!

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