For years, Bollywood has given us some truly memorable women in uniform, who brought strength, authority, grit and individuality to the screen. From Rani Mukerji’s fearless Shivani Roy to Shefali Shah’s composed Vartika Chaturvedi, actresses have shown that a powerful policewoman doesn’t have to fit one particular mould. With Kareena Kapoor Khan now stepping into the shoes of DCP Ajooni Kohli in Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra, releasing on September 18, it’s time to look back at five actresses who made the police uniform memorable on screen.

Rani Mukerji – Mardaani

Rani Mukerji’s Shivani Shivaji Roy remains one of the most memorable female cops in Hindi cinema. In Mardaani, she played a Crime Branch officer taking on a human-trafficking racket, bringing a fierce yet deeply emotional quality to the role. Shivani was tough without being reduced to a typical action hero, and Rani’s conviction made the character instantly believable. The popularity of the role eventually turned Shivani into a franchise character, with Rani returning in Mardaani 2 and Mardaani 3.

Tabu – Drishyam

Tabu brought a completely different energy to the uniform as IG Meera Deshmukh in Drishyam. Her authority came less from action and more from her sharp instincts, persistence and ability to read people. Meera’s personal connection to the case added another layer to the character, while Tabu’s restrained performance made her increasingly intimidating without ever becoming loud or overdramatic. She returned as Meera in Drishyam 2, proving just how effective the character was.

Shefali Shah – Delhi Crime

Shefali Shah’s DCP Vartika Chaturvedi in Delhi Crime showed how powerful a female cop can be without the usual Bollywood swagger. Vartika was calm, observant and authoritative, but also carried the emotional weight of the cases she handled. Shefali kept the performance grounded, making Vartika feel like a police officer first and a screen character second. That quiet confidence is exactly what made the role stand out and remains one of the strongest portrayals of a woman in uniform on Indian screens.

Sonakshi Sinha – Dahaad

Sonakshi Sinha’s Anjali Bhaati in Dahaad brought a more grounded and socially aware take on the female police officer. As a sub-inspector investigating the disappearance of several women, Anjali has to fight the case as well as the gender and caste prejudices around her. Sonakshi wisely keeps the performance understated, allowing Anjali’s intelligence and determination to establish her authority. There is nothing particularly flashy about the character, and that is precisely what makes her work.

Kareena Kapoor Khan – Daayra

Kareena Kapoor Khan is the latest actress to step into this space with Daayra, where she plays DCP Ajooni Kohli under Meghna Gulzar’s direction. Opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran’s DCP Raman Kumar, Kareena finds herself at the centre of a morally complicated investigation where the two officers have very different ideas about justice. What makes Ajooni interesting is that she doesn’t appear to be written as another stereotypical “badass” cop. Kareena brings a more restrained and serious shade to the uniform, making Daayra an interesting addition to the growing list of films and series that have given female police characters their own identity. The film releases in theatres on September 18.