"Keep writing for us, because we women, are interesting and we're fun. Girls are fun," Nicole Kidman requested screenwriters and directors, after winning academy award for her role in THE HOURS this year.

But Bollywood actresses are in no need to request anyone. For, strong woman roles are directly falling in their laps, thanks to some offbeat filmmakers. It is not that heroines have got dominance now but at least some lucky ones have got plum roles. Powerpuff girls are the flavour of the season in Bollywood now.

 
Urmila, of course, is the luckiest of all them. Apart from that much-talked about film, PINJAR, she is also playing stronger role in woman centric film, TEHZEEB. Khalid Mohammed directs the film. The film is inspired by Ingmar Bergman's AUTUMN SONATA. While Urmila plays the role of a headstrong daughter, TEHZEEB in this film, beauty queen turned actress Diya Mirza dons the role of a mentally challenged girl. For Urmila such strong woman roles have become regular stuff. But for Diya Mirza, Kareena Kapoor, Antara Mali, and other glamour dolls, these lineups of films are entirely new diet.

Kareena Kapoor stars in CHAMELI as a roadside prostitute who falls in love with a young guy on a rainy night. Till now, she has been doing regular commercial stuff. In MEIN MADHURI DIXIT BANNA CHAHATHI HOON, Antara plays a wannabe star who aspires to become the next-Madhuri Dixit. Recently announced films JAAGO and PEHCHAAN also revolve around women. Sonali Bendre has done ANAAHAT, a period film about a woman who questions rules about female sexuality.

 Why is that suddenly heroines have become hot property? Some say commercial and critical success for recent women's films (CHANDINI BAR, MARKET) has paved the way. But it is entirely not true. Raveena Tandon's SATTA miserably flopped. With multiplexes cropping up in every town, there is a need for good, up market, quality fare. So enthusiastic filmmakers are experimenting with off-the-beaten-track films. Agreed. But why is that our stars are trading glamorous roles for more somber, offbeat roles?

"I think now we are realizing it's all right if your hair does not look good or if you do a movie without makeup," said Hollywood actress Patrica Clarkson, who also co-stars in Nicole Kidman's DOGVILLE. Perhaps, that explains our 'Bollywood belles' intention too. "You're still going to get another job. If you're good in the film, your work will get you the next job. Not because your teeth look good," she told to Associated Press. That's why some stars like Urmila and Tabu are perfectly managing to balance glitz and gloom.

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