From Aarya to Hawkeye, celebrate Women’s Day with these shows with compelling female characters

The digital space is slowly seeing more and more content where women get their due, refusing to be sidelined no longer. The welcome change has given rise to a host of nuanced, complex and layered female characters who are equal parts relatable and equal parts inspiring. And another plus is how the characters make their appearances in a wide spectrum of genres, which help to completely capture the different shades as well as complexities of womanhood and individual women in different circumstances.

As Women’s Day is fast approaching, here are a few instances where some fierce women characters made their thoughts known in no uncertain terms, inspiring viewers with their daring performances. You can catch these compelling characters and the web shows, they appear in, on Disney+Hotstar

“Trust is good, control is better”- Aarya Sareen from Aarya

Sushmita Sen essays the role of the titular protagonist in Aarya, a woman who is forced into a life of crime after her husband’s brutal murder. Protective, fierce and always one step ahead of the people who wish to cause her harm, this scene offers a glimpse into Aarya’s hardcore intensity that refuses to let anyone get the best of her.

“I don’t need you to tell me who I am”- Wanda Maximoff/ Scarlet Witch from WandaVision

After a heartbreaking loss, WandaVision finds Wanda Maximoff, or the Scarlet Witch as she is known, resorting to some drastic measures to handle her grief. When her world literally comes crashing around her, she feels like she is losing herself. But not one to stay down, she makes this proclamation to Agatha Harkness, as she unleashes the full fury of her awe-inspiring powers. In the limited series, Elizabeth Olsen essays the role of Wanda.

“Let us build a revolution together”- Dr.Gauri Nath from Human

Human is a series that explores a concept that few shows have had the daring to cover - the dark side of human medical trials in the country. Shefali Shah essays the role of the ambitious Dr. Gauri Nath. She is confident, sophisticated and intelligent, one to never say no to a challenge. This particular dialogue offers a peek into the depths of her ambition, which she is resolved to fulfill, no matter the price she has to pay.

“Sach hamesha jaisa dikhta hai, waisa hota nahi, aur woh samay ke saath apna roop badalta rehta hai.”- SP Amrita Singh from Grahan

Zoya Hussain essays the role of a spirited IPS officer, Amrita Singh in this web series. After she is forced back into the profession that she wanted to leave behind after her father comes under the police scanner, she realises that the case gets messier and messier as she tries to solve it. She reaches a crucial point where she has to make a difficult choice - one which involves her father and her solemn duty. This is when she utters these lines, which roughly translate to “The truth is not always as it appears, it can also change over time”.

“Shaadi mein break jaisa kuch nahi hota, yeh ek jhumla hai.”- Deepali Handa from Rudra - The Edge of Darkness

Although Ajay Devgn stars in the titular role, Rudra: The Edge of Darkness has its fair share of spunky, strong-willed women characters who are not ones to take things lying down. One such character is Commissioner Deepali Handa, portrayed by Ashwini Kalsekar. Someone who says things as she sees them and one who does not believe in softening the blows she delivers, Handa gives her two cents when she learns of Rudra’s troubled marriage, resulting in this dialogue, which when roughly translated means “There is no such thing as a break in a marriage, it is a hoax.”.

"You showed me that being a hero isn't just for people who can fly or shoot lasers out of their hands. It's for anyone brave enough to do what's right, no matter the cost."- Kate Bishop from Hawkeye

Even though she shares the screen with a formidable avenger as Hawkeye, young Kate Bishop proves that she can hold her own spectacularly well. The protégée already proved herself as someone to watch out for, in the way she caught Barton’s attention. But as humble as ever, she expresses how much of an influence Barton has in her life through this quote. Hailee Steinfeld essays the role of Bishop in the limited series.