B'wood's sex workers

From the pathos of Waheeda Rahman in 'Pyaasa' to the mystic of Rekha in 'Umrao Jaan' and now the boldness of Neha Dhupia in 'Julie', the portrayal of sex-workers in B'wood has undergone numerous changes. Let's have a look at some of the actresses who come on calling 'Chalna Hai Kya!'. Neha Dhupia in 'Julie': In the movie 'Julie', Neha Dhupia played the role of a hooker. She needed a break. And she was agreed to do adultery in the film. She had no other way also. Perhaps that's the real reason that compelled Neha to play a 'call girl' on silver screen.

Kareena Kapoor in 'Chameli': In the movie Kareena Kapoor plays the role of a sex wroker and states that she was 'deflowered' before she reached teenage. She talks of an uncle, who shoved her into the flesh trade. Reel-prostitute Bebo touches the reality with her acting skills in the movie.

Rani Mukherjee in 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag: The movie dealt with one conservative relatively poor family and talked mainly about the eldest girl who took up the responsibility of protecting and supporting her family financially. 'Badki' played by Rani Mukherjee is forced to take up the job of an 'escort' to support her family in the movie.

Kalki Koechlin in 'Dev D': Kalki Koechlin who made her debut with Anurag Kashyap's 'Dev D' played the character of 'Chanda' in the movie. In the movie, Kalki played the role of a young girl from Delhi who gets into prostitution. The film showed, what influences such young girls to take the wrong plunge.

Madhuri Dixit in 'Devdas': Madhuri as 'Chandramukhi' in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas' remake, conveyed about as much sexuality as a health-food biscuit. She was just amazing as a kotha woman, doing mujras for Shah Rukh Khan in the film.

Tabu in 'Chandani Bar': In Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Chandni Bar', Tabu was the victim. She was raped by a bag of bones and became the stubble. Ultimately she was driven to the trade by her fate. Tabu successfully brought in notice the plight of women through her acting.

Rekha in 'Umrao Jaan': 'Umrao Jaan' showed Rekha at her sensual best. She portrayed the charachter of a sex worker with elan and her performance in the movie is one of the best till date. Perhaps, Rekha is the model 'kotha' woman of mainstream Hindi movies.

Manisha Koirala in 'Market': In Jai Prakash's 'Market', Manisha played an under-age Hyderabadi girl, who was sold to a sheikh. Ultimately the destiny-driven girl becomes the hot stuff of so-called flesh abyss. In the movie, Manisha managed to evoke viewer's sympathy and concern through her acting.

Namrata Shirodkar in 'Vaastav': In Mahesh Manjrekar's 'Vaastav', Namrata Shirodkar played vastly underrated performance. A brittle act in which she taunts don Sanjay Dutt to get on with what he is expected to at a brothel. Though the actress had a short role in the movie but still Namrata managed to keep the limelight on her with her critical performance.