Samantha, Alia, Kangana And More: Female Stars Behind ₹100 Crore Hits

For years, it was believed that only big male stars could deliver ₹100 crore blockbusters. But in recent years, several actresses have proved otherwise by headlining films that not only won praise but also crossed the coveted ₹100 crore worldwide mark. The latest to join this elite club is Samantha Ruth Prabhu, whose Maa Inti Bangaram has become the first Telugu female-led film to achieve the milestone.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu – Maa Inti Bangaram (2026)
Samantha created history with Maa Inti Bangaram, which crossed ₹100 crore worldwide within weeks of its release. Directed by Nandini Reddy, the film is the first Telugu film led by a solo female star to enter the ₹100 crore club, marking a major milestone for women-led cinema in the South.

Kalyani Priyadarshan – Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra (2025)
Kalyani Priyadarshan made history with Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, India’s first female-led superhero film to cross the ₹100 crore mark. The Malayalam blockbuster found audiences beyond Kerala and became one of the highest-grossing female-led Indian films ever.

Shraddha Kapoor – Stree 2 (2024)
Although Stree 2 featured Rajkummar Rao alongside Shraddha Kapoor, the supernatural comedy revolved around Shraddha’s mysterious character. The blockbuster went on to become one of India’s highest-grossing films, comfortably crossing the ₹100 crore mark and cementing Shraddha’s status as a major box-office draw.

Alia Bhatt – Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gangubai Kathiawadi saw Alia Bhatt deliver one of the most acclaimed performances of her career. The biographical drama was both a critical and commercial success, earning more than ₹100 crore worldwide and proving that a female-led period drama could attract audiences.

Kangana Ranaut – Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
Kangana’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, a historical drama, was based on the life of Rani Lakshmibai. Featuring Kangana in the lead role, the film earned approximately ₹142 crore worldwide, becoming another female-led blockbuster and reinforcing her box-office credentials.

Alia Bhatt – Raazi (2018)
In Raazi, Alia played Sehmat Khan, a young Indian spy sent across the border during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The espionage thriller became a surprise blockbuster, crossing ₹100 crore globally and setting a new benchmark for women-led films in Bollywood.

Kangana Ranaut – Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
Kangana Ranaut delivered one of the biggest female-led hits in Bollywood with Tanu Weds Manu Returns. Directed by Aanand L. Rai, the romantic comedy saw her in a double role as Tanu and Kusum. The film was a massive commercial success, grossing around ₹258 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing female-led Indian films of its time.