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By:

Akhilesh Sinha

25 June 2025 at 2:53:54 pm

Driving Change

Once trapped by poverty and abuse, Sufina found freedom behind the wheel — and now helps women travel safely across Delhi. The woman who once felt unsafe is now ensuring women travellers get home securely from Delhi’s airport, day or night. Among those providing this round-the-clock service is Sufina, a cab driver with the “Driven by Women for Women and Families” initiative. Sufina, who now offers peace of mind and safe journeys to female passengers, was once deeply troubled herself. But she...

Driving Change

Once trapped by poverty and abuse, Sufina found freedom behind the wheel — and now helps women travel safely across Delhi. The woman who once felt unsafe is now ensuring women travellers get home securely from Delhi’s airport, day or night. Among those providing this round-the-clock service is Sufina, a cab driver with the “Driven by Women for Women and Families” initiative. Sufina, who now offers peace of mind and safe journeys to female passengers, was once deeply troubled herself. But she refused to give up. Pulling herself out of hardship, she not only became self-reliant but also an inspiration for marginalised women in society. Partnering with the Sakha-Azaad Foundation, Sufina has scripted an extraordinary story. Sakha Consulting Wings launched this women-driven cab service for female passengers under the brand  Women with Wheels . All drivers, including Sufina, received training in driving and self-defence through the Azaad Foundation. Born Into Hardship Living in East Delhi’s Anand Vihar, Sufina was married to a daily wage labourer at just 16. By 18, she was a mother. Poverty was crushing; meals were often scarce. Desperate to escape this misery, she began searching for a way out. That was when she met a Sakha volunteer who suggested driver training. It became the turning point in her life. The road ahead, however, was anything but easy. Breaking Free Sufina was stepping into a male-dominated world, and it frightened her at first. Yet her hunger for financial independence gave her courage. In the early days, she faced strong opposition from both her husband and parents. Before leaving for work, her husband would beat her and lock her inside the room to stop her from attending training. But Sufina refused to surrender. Teaming up with her mother, she found a way out. After her husband left for work, her mother would unlock the door. Before he returned, Sufina would quietly slip back home to avoid more conflict. After completing her training, she worked as a private driver for nearly two years, continuing the same routine. As her earnings, confidence and independence grew, so did her assertiveness — and with it, her husband’s suspicion. One day, when he raised his hand again, Sufina fought back. She told him she would not tolerate it anymore. Shocked, he stopped. He never hit her again. Driving Change Sufina believes the turning point in her marriage came when her husband fell seriously ill. She admitted him to a private nursing home and paid for his treatment from her own savings. From then on, he began trusting her and valuing her work. Though the struggle had been painful, Sufina emerged stronger. She now asks a powerful question:  Why must a woman endure so much just to prove herself? Today, she is determined that her daughters should grow up with freedom and choice. In her community, she is respected and admired. Local girls and women see in her a path to self-reliance and dignity. The woman who once lived in fear now helps other women travel without it — and in doing so, she is driving change far beyond Delhi’s roads.

Uncommon Presence of the Common Face

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Uncommon Presence 

In the movie Maharaja, there is a scene that exemplifies the brilliance of Vijay Sethupathi’s acting. Vijay’s character is called to his daughter’s school after she is wrongly accused of mischief. The school owner lashes out at the girl, only for it to be discovered later that another child was responsible. While the issue seems settled, the real drama begins when Vijay Sethupathi calmly asks the school owner to apologise to his daughter. The owner, feeling offended, dismisses him and calls for security to escort Vijay out. In a display of extraordinary restraint, Vijay doesn’t fight or cause a scene. Instead, as he is being dragged toward the door, he grips the bar, locking eyes with the owner, and quietly repeats, “Say sorry to my daughter.” It’s the intensity in his eyes, the quiet resolve, and the understated power of the scene that leaves the audience with goosebumps.

This is what makes Uncommon Presence of the Common Face such an apt phrase to describe Vijay Sethupathi and other actors who defy Bollywood’s conventional definitions of a hero.

Bollywood, for decades, has celebrated a particular mould of the hero: tall, fair-skinned, muscular, and exuding wealthy looks. The leading men have often been those with the polished, picture-perfect looks of the Khans, Kapoors, and Kumars. However, there are exceptions—most notably, Nana Patekar, who, despite his unconventional appearance, managed to command commercial success with his extraordinary talent. For a long time, though, Bollywood didn’t fully embrace actors outside this conventional framework, leaving only a few to pull off lead roles in commercial cinema.

Then came the OTT revolution, which changed the game entirely. As streaming platforms began to gain ground, audiences started seeking authenticity, depth, and diversity in storytelling. With that shift came an appreciation for actors who, while lacking the so-called conventional Bollywood looks, brought extraordinary skill and charisma to the screen. Actors like Pankaj Tripathi, Vijay Verma, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Chhaya Kadam became household names—not because of their looks, but because of their sheer talent.

Pankaj Tripathi is a prime example of this transformation. His portrayal of Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur is unforgettable. The series, known for its gritty themes, explicit scenes, and explosive dialogues, wouldn’t have been the same without Tripathi’s magnetic presence. His calm, menacing demeanor had viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting his next move or line.

Vijay Verma, another rising star, has also carved a niche for himself with his unconventional looks and immense acting prowess. Audiences remember him fondly for his performances as Sasya in SHE or as Bharat/Shatrughn Tyagi in Mirzapur. His role in Lust Stories 2, especially alongside his rumoured girlfriend Tamannaah Bhatia, became a talking point, not just for his chemistry but for the depth of his performance. In the same league is Chhaya Kadam, a promising actor whose career is filled with memorable roles. She’s left a lasting impression on audiences with her portrayal of Manju Mai in Lapaataa Ladies and her appearance in Jhund alongside Amitabh Bachchan.

Jaideep Ahlawat is yet another fascinating talent whose non-heroic looks have garnered attention to himself. From his gripping roles in Maharaj, Paatal Lok, and Raees, Ahlawat has shown that traditional hero material is no longer a necessity to pull off stellar performances. In the recent film Jaane Jaan, where he shared screen space with Kareena Kapoor and Vijay Verma, Ahlawat held his own and never overshadowed, proving that talent trumps all.

It’s not just about appearances or star power anymore. Audiences today are looking for depth, nuance, and the ability to connect emotionally with characters. Actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vijay Sethupathi, and Pankaj Tripathi have brought something fresh and raw to the forefront. They’ve made it clear that you don’t need chisseled features or a glossy persona to make an impact. Their uncommon presence—grounded, real, and full of substance—is what today’s viewers crave. In the changing landscape of cinema, especially with the rise of OTT platforms, these “common faces” are proving that extraordinary talent can break stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a star. They are no longer confined to supporting roles or niche films; they are leading the charge, pulling entire shows and movies with their undeniable skill.

(The writer is a communication professional. Views personal.)

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