The most powerful women in Bollywood

Gauri Khan In their latest edition, Vogue (India) announced proudly introduced Gauri Khan as the 'First Lady of Bollywood'. The sobriquet that can possibly be dismissed as just an innocent remark is more loaded than one may imagine. Because if Gauri is the first lady, what does that make the Big B? Second to Shah Rukh? Then again, Gauri's scope of influence goes much beyond Bollywood. She's known to hobnob with the Ambanis and the (Sahara) Roys alike and for all practical purposes is the producer of the films made under Red Chillies Entertainment. And if there were any doubts about her status in the Bollywood you should probably have been at the book launch of Om Shanti Om where everyone present walked up to her just to greet her. Now if that doesn't make her the first lady, we wonder what does?




Aishwarya Rai Who is more popular between Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai? Ask ten people across varying cultures and countries and chances are that the balance will tip in Ash's favour. After all how many Indian actresses have received international recognition? Abhishek for all practical purposes is just coming of age. Fact is that barring Guru there hasn't been a film that he's carried off on his lonesome shoulders. And Ash with her worldwide fame is not his arm candy. In fact it's the other way round, isn't it?





Twinkle Khanna Twinkle Khanna may have stepped out of the limelight years ago. But has she stopped calling the shots in her husband's life? Certainly not! Akshay Kumar has openly confessed that he doesn't drink or smoke. But he has only 'one vice'. His affairs with Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shetty are legendary. And then there was his alleged relationship with Priyanka Chopra, which rocked his marriage. But through this all, Twinkle is said to have held the ropes in her hand never once losing control over her man. Let's admit it. She is still the only woman in Bollywood to not just bag this 'prize catch' but also manage to keep him with her for all these years. After Aitraaz Akshay has not worked with Priyanka Chopra. No points for guessing why.




Kiran Rao The scrawny bespectacled Kiran Rao was not the media's idea of Aamir's girlfriend. But this former AD (assistant director) stole his heart and how! Those who have known Kiran swear by her convincing prowess. Think about it (and presumptuous as it may sound) how many ADs have managed to marry the producer? She has a way with people and though she hasn't stepped into the limelight with Aamir too many times, her presence is felt in more ways than one. She may not necessarily always influence Aamir's decisions. But if insiders are to be believed, she is someone who will have her way. And that qualifies her to be on this list.




Manyata Sanjay Dutt has always been known to be a wild boy during his younger days. Rhea Pillai, Madhuri Dixit and Tina Munim were just some of his much-publicised relationships. But enter Manyata and the man just seems to have magically mellowed down. A recent newspaper reported that Manyata has been very, very big influence in his life. The actor has apparently been taking all his decisions only after consulting her. If rumours are to be believed, she has also managed to draw him away from his sisters. And to have a man such as Sanjay Dutt wrapped around her little finger certainly makes her one of the most influential ladies in Bollywood.



Suzanne Roshan As a person, Suzanne Roshan could be dismissed as a nobody. But to be married to one of India's most good-looking actors and remain married takes a lot. Well, actually all it takes is the support of the family. It is said that Hrithik got married to Suzanne only after he received an ultimatum from his family. The Roshan parivar has stood behind Suzanne like a rock and that is apparently the sole reason why Hrithik has not strayed. Incidentally he has also not worked with Kareena after Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon and chances are that he never will . Suzanne is however not just a sole case in point. Aditya Chopra's wife Payal too has immense support from the Chopra clan and apparently it's just one of the reasons why a certain actress has not been able
to marry Adi.



Jaya Bachchan Not from the generation of the ladies named above but certainly one of the most respected women in the industry today is Jaya Bachchan. Unlike any of these women however, she draws her power merely by being part of the household. Indeed Bachchan is a big name today. But when the superstar started off, Jaya was the only one who believed in him and gave him all the support he wanted. It is said that she had put in a word for him during Zanjeer. The rest is history. Jaya has stood by her husband through thick and thin… right from his Casanova days to his low phase in the 90s. And it is this rock solid support she has given and contributed to the making of this dynasty that gives her a position that possibly no one named above can ever achieve.