For decades, Bollywood spy thrillers were dominated by male superstars. Secret agents, undercover missions and high-octane action were usually reserved for heroes. But over the years, several actresses have stepped into the world of espionage and proved that courage, intelligence and patriotism have no gender.
- 1. Kahaani (2012) – Vidya Balan
- 2. Naam Shabana (2017) – Taapsee Pannu
- 3. Raazi (2018) – Alia Bhatt
- 4. London Confidential (2020) – Mouni Roy
- 5. Lahore Confidential (2021) – Richa Chadha
- 6. Code Name: Tiranga (2022) – Parineeti Chopra
- 7. Dhaakad (2022) – Kangana Ranaut
- 8. Khufiya (2023) – Tabu
- 9. Mrs. Undercover (2023) – Radhika Apte
- 10. Alpha (2026) – Alia Bhatt and Sharvari
- The Spy Who Deserves Her Own Film: Katrina Kaif’s Zoya
- A New Era For Female-Led Action Films
From Vidya Balan’s determined search for truth in Kahaani to Alia Bhatt and Sharvari gearing up for Alpha, these women have redefined the spy genre in Indian cinema.
1. Kahaani (2012) – Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan delivered one of the finest performances of her career as Vidya Bagchi, a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata. While not a traditional spy film, Kahaani is packed with mystery, intelligence operations and unexpected twists. The film changed the perception that female-led thrillers could not succeed at the box office.
2. Naam Shabana (2017) – Taapsee Pannu
Naam Shabana explored the origin story of Shabana Khan, a young woman recruited by an intelligence agency. Taapsee Pannu impressed audiences with her action sequences and emotional depth, proving she could carry a spy thriller on her shoulders.
3. Raazi (2018) – Alia Bhatt
One of Bollywood’s most celebrated spy dramas, Raazi featured Alia Bhatt as Sehmat, an Indian spy who marries into a Pakistani military family during the 1971 war. The film beautifully balanced patriotism, sacrifice and emotional conflict, becoming both a critical and commercial success.
4. London Confidential (2020) – Mouni Roy
Mouni Roy stepped into the role of an intelligence officer investigating a dangerous international conspiracy. Set against the backdrop of biological warfare, the film showcased a modern female spy handling a high-stakes mission.
5. Lahore Confidential (2021) – Richa Chadha
Richa Chadha played an Indian intelligence operative sent on a secret mission to Pakistan. Unlike conventional action thrillers, the film mixed espionage with romance and political intrigue.
6. Code Name: Tiranga (2022) – Parineeti Chopra
Parineeti Chopra transformed into a RAW agent in this action-packed thriller. The actress underwent extensive training for combat scenes and portrayed a fearless officer willing to risk everything for her country.
7. Dhaakad (2022) – Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut’s Agent Agni was a highly trained international operative assigned to eliminate human traffickers and dangerous criminals. With stylish action sequences and intense combat scenes, Dhaakad attempted to bring a larger-than-life female action hero to Bollywood.
8. Khufiya (2023) – Tabu
Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Khufiya featured Tabu as a seasoned intelligence officer dealing with betrayal, secrets and national security. Her mature and layered performance received widespread praise.
9. Mrs. Undercover (2023) – Radhika Apte
Radhika Apte brought a fresh twist to the genre by playing a former undercover agent who returns to action while balancing her life as a homemaker. The film blended comedy with espionage and action.
10. Alpha (2026) – Alia Bhatt and Sharvari
Yash Raj Films is expanding its famous Spy Universe with Alpha, the first female-led film in the franchise. Starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, the movie promises powerful action, dangerous missions and two women leading one of Bollywood’s biggest spy adventures.
The Spy Who Deserves Her Own Film: Katrina Kaif’s Zoya
While Katrina Kaif has never headlined a solo spy movie, many fans believe she deserves one. Her portrayal of Zoya in the Tiger franchise made her one of Bollywood’s most iconic female spies.
From Ek Tha Tiger to Tiger Zinda Hai and later appearances in the YRF Spy Universe, Katrina performed many of her own action sequences and became a fan favourite. Her character combined intelligence, emotional strength and deadly combat skills, making audiences eager to see a standalone Zoya film someday.
A New Era For Female-Led Action Films
Bollywood is slowly changing, giving women the opportunity to lead big-budget action and spy thrillers. These films have shown that female characters can be just as brave, strategic and powerful as their male counterparts.
With Alpha set to take the genre forward and growing demand for more stories like Zoya’s, the future of female-led spy cinema in Bollywood looks brighter than ever.
