There was a time when female characters in Indian cinema were largely limited to being the hero’s love interest, adding glamour, shaking their booty in songs, or ultimately becoming his wife. That trend is slowly changing, and Wamiqa Gabbi’s latest performance in DC is a good example.
Wamiqa Gabbi plays Chandra in DC, starring Lokesh Kanagaraj in the lead role as Das. While Lokesh’s acting debut has naturally been a major talking point, Wamiqa has also managed to make a strong impression.
Wamiqa gets a good role and comes into her own in the movie’s second half. The character is neatly sketched, and she delivers the required performance, which leaves an impact. She manages to hold her own and even dominate certain scenes despite sharing the screen with Lokesh.
That is significant because female characters in mainstream commercial cinema are still often treated as secondary to the hero. In DC, Wamiqa gets enough material to establish Chandra as a character rather than simply using her as a romantic or glamorous addition.
The performance comes at an interesting stage in Wamiqa’s career. She has steadily built a reputation across Hindi, Punjabi, and South Indian cinema, and DC gives her another opportunity to expand that reach.
Her 2026 has already been particularly strong. Bhooth Bangla became her first film to cross the Rs. 200 crore worldwide gross mark, giving her a big commercial success as well.
Last year, Rukmini Vasanth made a strong impact as Kanakavathi in Kantara: Chapter 1. Performances like Wamiqa’s in DC and Rukmini’s in Kantara: Chapter 1 point to a larger change in Indian cinema. Actresses are increasingly getting characters with their own purpose, including action, grey shades, and emotionally demanding arcs.
