It's 2010 and with every passing year it becomes increasingly clear that women across the world are making exceptional progress in whatever arena that has been left unconquered. Bollywood too has seen a few women from the year gone by, making brilliant contribution in the world of films and otherwise, standing apart from the crowd and showing their might.

Here are a few Bollywood Hungama feels obliged to acknowledge.

Kalki Koechlin from Dev D fame
So young but yet so proud. Kalki Koechlin, came, saw and conquered as she left the audience spell bound with her bold yet spectacular act of a girl who is a victim of circumstances. Her spunky performance and catchy dialogue delivery can put even some of the old timers to shame. We bow down to this young find of Bollywood who went ahead and gave a performance that most actresses would have found challenging and way too daring. But Kalki here pulled off with such panache.

Priyanka Chopra in What's Your Raashee
Priyanka is one of the most talented actresses of our industry but what set this Desi Girl apart from the rest is the fact that she portrayed not one, two but played twelve different characters What's Your Raashee, making her the only actress globally who has played so many multiple roles in a single film. Kudos! Piggy Chops.

Vidya Balan in Paa
It's no secret that Indian actresses shy away from playing a mom especially when they are in their prime. It's the fear of being typecasted but then such rules definitely counted for peanuts for this actress who went ahead and gave one of the most memorable performance of last year with Paa, where she not only played a mom but played one too none other than Amitabh Bachchan. Outstanding is the word for Miss Balan!

Konkona Sen Sharma in Wake up Sid
Try telling an Indian actress to star opposite a guy who not only age wise but even visibly looks younger to her and she won't even give such an idea a second thought. But Konkona Sen Sharma did and went ahead and acted opposite a much younger and youthful Ranbir Kapoor. She not only gave a performance worth remembering but she absolutely held on her own.

Nandita Das director Firaaq
Most directors play safe with their directorial debuts. After all you need to make a name in the industry before you start experimenting with storylines but our woman director here went ahead and made a film on a subject she strongly believed in. Firaaq, a film based on the 2002 Gujarat carnage went on to get Nandita immense critical acclaim and awards in various film festivals. Strong woman with a strong conviction, Nandita is an honour for our country.

Celina Jaitly on Gay rights
What is the first thing anyone would say if you speak in the favour of gays? You're definitely going to be suspected as one too. Knowing this quite well, Celina still went ahead and showed her complete solidarity with the LGBT community, whatever the Babas and the socialites of the world may feel about it. That takes some courage and we salute that attitude. You go Celina!

If you feel there is a lady in our film industry who has done something in the year gone by and who deserves a mention here, please go ahead and give them a mention in the comments section below. It's our day, Women's day, and every commendable act must get a vote of recognition. Like Charles Malik said, 'The fastest way to change the society is to mobilise the women of the world.'