Kangna, Vidya, Priyanka: Meet the Most Bankable Heroines of Bollywood

Actors aren't the only ones making blockbusters. Meet the ladies who matter in the movie business.

Rs 100 crore hits are not always male-driven any more.

Bollywood's heroines seem to have risen up to the challenge, and now, they are behind some of the biggest money-spinners of recent times.

From Vidya Balan to Kangna Ranaut, these ladies have made their presence felt.

Here's looking at the most bankable female stars in the Hindi film industry.

Kangna Ranaut

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Queen (Rs 60 crore)
Upcoming films: Revolver Rani, Sujoy Ghosh's next

How fortunes change.

After Rascals and feeble roles in films like Tezz and Knock Out, one expected her to get knocked out from the industry.

But Kangna has proved herself and how, with Queen.

And that's not all.

The actress has another promising film coming up, called Revolver Rani, and the trailer looks good.

There's also Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani sequel, where she has replaced Vidya Balan.

.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Kahaani (Rs 60 crore)
Upcoming film: Bobby Jasoos

But Vidya Balan still tops the list.

Her last two releases-- Shaadi Ke Side Effects and Ghanchakkar -- may not have done well but Vidya has delivered powerful performances time and again, and carried films like The Dirty Picture and Kahaani successfully on her shoulders.

Vidya will be seen next as a detective in Bobby Jasoos. 

Last major success as a female central protagonist: No One Killed Jessica (Rs 40 crore)
Upcoming film: Mardaani

A misadventure called Aiiyaa later, Rani Mukerji will now wear the police uniform for Pradeep Sarkar's Mardaani.

Though her last film with Sarkar (Laaga Chunari Mein Daag) was a flop, one expects the talented actress to hit back big time with this Yash Raj production.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Barfi! (Rs 105 crore)
Upcoming film: Mary Kom

Priyanka's biggest success till date is Krrish 3 but that wasn't about her.

What she can call her own was Barfi!, thanks to her brilliant performance in it, and it was a winner all the way.

Priyanka is currently working hard on her Mary Kom biopic, produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Raaz 3 (Rs 70 crore)
Upcoming film: Creature

Bipasha is no stranger to heroine-centric movies, thanks to her earliest hits Raaz and Jism.

The third film in the Raaz franchise was a hit as well, and was largely attributed to Bips, even though the film co-starred Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta.

Now, Bipasha will be seen in Vikram Bhatt's Creature, a VFX laden adventure-thriller with horror elements in it. She is the only major actor in the film.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (Rs 60 crore)
Upcoming films: Phantom, Bang Bang

Katrina was seen as just a lucky mascot in her earlier films.

But all that changed with Namastey London.

Her latest biggie Dhoom 3 may have been an out and out Aamir Khan affair, but Kat can take pride in the fact that she was in the driver's seat in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.

Though she is yet to do a film revolving entirely around her, buzz is that she has a substantial role in Phantom and Bang Bang.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Hasee Toh Phasee (Rs 40 crore)
Upcoming films: Daawat-e-Ishq, Kill Dil

Amongst the newer actors, one heroine who is living up to the promise is Parineeti Chopra.

Right from Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl to Ishaqzaade to Shuddh Desi Romance, Parineeti has played her part well. In fact, much of the credit for her latest film, Hasee Toh Phasee, goes to her.

Her upcoming films Daawat-e-Ishq and Kill Dil will also have a lot of Parineeti. With a good track record so far, let's see how far this actress will go.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Ragini MMS 2 (Rs 50 crore)
Upcoming film: Tina & Lolo

One waits to see what kind of range Sunny Leone will bring to her choice of characters and films, since both her releases Jism 2 and Ragini MMS 2 were sold on her sexy image.

Of course, filmmakers are already queuing up to sign her.

She will be seen next in action film, Tina & Lolo.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Raanjhanaa (Rs 60 crore)
Upcoming films: Khoobsurat, Dolly Ki Doli

Raanjhanaa gave Sonam's career some weight and a new direction.

Now, Sonam hopes to recreate some more cine magic, and has dipped into the past for that.

The sequel of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Khoobsurat will see her play the daughter of Rekha's character in the original, and the story will revolve around her.

Her other film Dolly Ki Doli will also see her take centrestage, while Saif Ali Khan will put in a cameo.

Last major success as a female central protagonist: Band Baaja Baraat (Rs 25 crore)
Upcoming films: NH10, Bombay Velvet

Anushka did brilliantly in her follow-up film Band Baaja Baraat, but she hasn't been a driving force in her other films.

All that may change with her forthcoming film NH10, which is also produced by her. She plays the central protagonist in this road thriller.

She also plays an important part in Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Bombay Velvet.