<p>Actress Freida Pinto has lauded her fellow Indian contemporaries Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut for giving a new lease of life to the female protagonist in Bollywood films, saying they are changing the rule of the business.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 31-year-old "Slumdog Millionaire" actress, who is a strong advocate of women issues, says this shift in the Hindi film industry will have a great impact to empower women on the grassroot level.<br /><br />"I don't necessarily work in Bollywood but I can give you my spectator view when it comes to Indian films. With Priyanka doing a 'Mary Kom' or Kangana doing 'Queen', I definitely feel it is a positive sign. They are changing the rules. I think it is great to see more female protagonists taking the lead in films," Freida said in an interview on the sidelines of IIFA awards here.<br /><br />"Peole are now used to seeing a female actor taking the lead in a film as opposed to male stars. It has also helped people understand in the grassroot level as well. That's where we want the impact to be seen."<br /><br />Freida says female actors taking the lead ahead of their male counterparts is not new to Hindi films as in the '80s, the silver screen was ruled by strong women-centric films which starred Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil.<br /><br />The actress says the resurgence of the actress in Bollywood is an encouraging trend. She attributed the audience for this shift.<br /><br />"In the '80s, it was all Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. They were role models and I grew up watching that. Then in the '90s there was a lag and female actresses were not used to their potential. I now see a resurgence of strong female characters. The reception from the audience has made it easier."<br /><br />Freida, however, feels there is still a long way to go.<br /><br />"Change is happening. May be not at the place we hope for but it is happening." <br /><br /></p>
<p>Actress Freida Pinto has lauded her fellow Indian contemporaries Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut for giving a new lease of life to the female protagonist in Bollywood films, saying they are changing the rule of the business.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 31-year-old "Slumdog Millionaire" actress, who is a strong advocate of women issues, says this shift in the Hindi film industry will have a great impact to empower women on the grassroot level.<br /><br />"I don't necessarily work in Bollywood but I can give you my spectator view when it comes to Indian films. With Priyanka doing a 'Mary Kom' or Kangana doing 'Queen', I definitely feel it is a positive sign. They are changing the rules. I think it is great to see more female protagonists taking the lead in films," Freida said in an interview on the sidelines of IIFA awards here.<br /><br />"Peole are now used to seeing a female actor taking the lead in a film as opposed to male stars. It has also helped people understand in the grassroot level as well. That's where we want the impact to be seen."<br /><br />Freida says female actors taking the lead ahead of their male counterparts is not new to Hindi films as in the '80s, the silver screen was ruled by strong women-centric films which starred Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil.<br /><br />The actress says the resurgence of the actress in Bollywood is an encouraging trend. She attributed the audience for this shift.<br /><br />"In the '80s, it was all Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. They were role models and I grew up watching that. Then in the '90s there was a lag and female actresses were not used to their potential. I now see a resurgence of strong female characters. The reception from the audience has made it easier."<br /><br />Freida, however, feels there is still a long way to go.<br /><br />"Change is happening. May be not at the place we hope for but it is happening." <br /><br /></p>