Power Icon: Vidya Balan

From her Hindi film debut as the titular Parineeta, to the role of a lifetime as Silk in The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan has been raking in awards hand over fist. The actress throws herself into each character, committing fully to the script and to the mandatory in-character appearances. While she came under criticism for her costuming at Cannes, her dedication to the promotion of the sari is commendable.

International Outings: Was on the 2013 Cannes jury. And served as grand marshall of the India Day Parade in New York, promoting and celebrating Indian culture.