Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again that hits theatres on Diwali weekend is another exciting window into the action filmmaker’s Cop Universe of bravehearts in khaki who defy all odds to defeat crime. Ajay Devgn as fearless, no-nonsense Bajirao Singham leads these action heroes. He is backed by swashbuckling and roguish Ranveer Singh as Bhalerao Simmba and suave and dynamic Akshay Kumar as Veer Sooryavanshi. Cinegoers are used to the daredevilry of these action superstars. Now everybody has their eyes peeled for the director’s new lady cop of the block, Deepika Padukone looking gorgeously kickass as Lady Singham aka Shakti Shetty. The actress has delivered a strong performance in Rohit Shetty’s testosterone-driven Cop Universe of macho men thereby giving a shot in the arm to women empowerment in cinema. Bollywood is not new to having lady cops. Here are some of our finest actresses who have donned khaki for the screen.
 
Hema Malini 
Hema Malini portrays a determined police officer in the classic film Andhaa Kaanoon (1983). Showcasing versatility and strength, her performance added depth to the story as she is on a mission for revenge, driven by a deep personal loss.

Tabu
Tabu has portrayed police roles in various films like Kohram, Drishyam, Bholaa, and Khuda Kasam. She has been fierce and commanding in each character. With every cop role, she has proved her acting prowess and ability to handle intense narratives.

Rani Mukherjee 
Rani Mukerji delivered a powerful performance as Shivani Shivaji Roy in 2014’s Mardaani. She essays a relentless officer uncovering a child trafficking cartel. Her performance was inspiring and poignant, emphasizing her character’s courage and determination to bring down criminals. She reprised the character in Mardaani 2 (2019) where she hunts down a serial rapist and murdered. The films got such positive response that Rani is making Mardaani 3.

Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra wore the police uniform twice in the Don series (2006 and 2011) and Jai Gangaajal (2016). In Don, she showcases her skill as a determined cop navigating a criminal world proving her versatility in both crime and drama. In Jai Gangaajal she embodies the role of a strong police officer fighting against corruption. 
 
Dimple Kapadia
Few cinegoers remember that Dimple Kapadia played a cop, too, in the revenge drama Zakhmi Aurat (1988). Her character is gang raped and when the judicial system fails to convict the criminals, the lady cop joins other victims in a vendetta plan to castrate the rapists. The film was not one of the actress’ more memorable performances.
 
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Kareena Kapoor Khan made an extended cameo in Angrezi Medium (2020) as a tough-talking, swaggering cop with a killer glint in the eye for London’s Metropolitan Police. And then the actress gave an intense and gripping performance as a disturbed but gritty British-Indian detective in The Buckingham Murders (2024) investigating the murder of a child in Buckinghamshire, UK. She also co-produced the film.

Rekha
Rekha left a significant impact as a cop in Phool Bane Angaray (1991), demonstrating her strength and charisma. Her character defies societal norms and confronts powerful foes, creating a memorable impression on audiences.

Sonakshi Sinha
Sonakshi Sinha played a cop in the Amazon Prime Video series Dahaad (2023) investigating a series of women's deaths with a mission to hunt down the killer. Her impactful portrayal showcases her growth as an actress.