The development of modern-day Bollywood sports activities biopics took off with the massively common Bhaag Milkha Bhaag in 2013. And it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Mary Kom – a movie primarily based on six-time world champion Indian boxer MC Mary Kom‘s life – adopted on display.
The 2014 movie, celebrating the life and accomplishments of the six-time world newbie boxing champion from Manipur, was a runaway hit on the field workplace. It raked in Rs 104 crores regardless of being made on a comparatively small-budget of Rs 18 crore.
So what was the film all about? Right here’s a have a look at the story behind the Mary Kom biopic.
Mary Kom film forged
The Mary Kom film was directed by Omung Kumar, who made his directorial debut with this movie. Sanjay Leela Bhansali was the producer.
Bhansali’s involvement with the venture was significantly shocking. The Padma Shri winner is primarily famous for producing or directing big-budget grand scale dramas like Paadmavat, Devdas and Saawariya.
Nevertheless, the nationwide award-winning filmmaker himself admitted later that the chance to retell the story of an iconic determine like Mary Kom was unimaginable to move on, even when it was uncharted territory for him.
Priyanka Chopra as Mary Kom
Given Mary Kom’s quiet and highly effective manner, it was a problem to seek out an actor to play the ace boxer. Finally, Priyanka Chopra was roped in to play the position.
Darshan Kumar was forged as Mary Kom’s husband, Onler Kom whereas common Nepalese actor Sunil Thapa took up the mantle of her coach and mentor M. Narjit Singh.
Taking part in Mary Kom: Priyanka Chopra’s ‘hardest’ problem
Priyanka Chopra is understood for her versatile appearing abilities and has a confirmed monitor document of taking part in difficult roles each in Bollywood and Hollywood. However even the Quantico star describes Mary Kom as probably her hardest endeavour, though a personally gratifying one.
This was about dedication, focus, diligence — it’s a life-style, a faith, to be a sportsperson. For me, this expertise was religious,” – Priyanka Chopra
“I’ll by no means be a sportsperson. I’ll by no means have the ability to signify my nation in a contest. As an actor, I obtained this chance to really feel that,” Priyanka added.
To study a brand new sport and get her physique in form for the position, Priyanka Chopra educated with Samir Jaura, who additionally ready Farhan Akhtar for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Priyanka Chopra additionally met Mary Kom and even made journeys to her dwelling in Imphal to get pointers in regards to the sporting elements in addition to the boxer’s intriguing private life.
To induce as a lot realism as potential, Christy Halbert, USA’s assistant coach on the London 2012 Olympics, was introduced on board to choreograph the fights.
The film contains a number of key bouts from the early days of Mary Kom’s boxing profession. All of Priyanka Chopra’s opponents within the film have been actual boxers, not stand in actors, and he or she even took just a few actual punches whereas taking pictures the Mary Kom film and sustained actual accidents.
Bouts out and in of the boxing ring
Whereas boxing remained the guts of the Mary Kom biopic, it additionally tackled points associated to ladies empowerment, motherhood and the trials and tribulations of a world champion balancing her household life with a profitable boxing profession.
So, is the Mary Kom film a real story?
Not fully. However although some inventive liberties have been taken so as to add the zing to a business cinema, most of it had its roots firmly grounded in Mary Kom’s actual life – the true star of the film.
“Most occasions proven within the movie are actual, however with a bit of little bit of masala,” Mary Kom clarified.
Mary Kom has additionally praised Priyanka Chopra for her dedication to get into her sneakers.
“Priyanka noticed how we lived. She met my household and had a detailed have a look at my youth. It was a lesson for her. My rise from the rice fields of Kangathei village to successful the World Championships has been captured very well,” Mary Kom mentioned.
Acclaim and Nick Jonas’ Bollywood introduction
The Mary Kom film premiered on the 2014 Toronto Worldwide Movie Competition, making it the primary Hindi language film to function on the opening evening of the distinguished occasion.
The biopic additionally obtained a Nationwide Movie Award for the Greatest Well-liked Movie and likewise received a number of different awards, together with a number of Filmfares.
Priyanka Chopra, the lead of the film, additionally later revealed that her husband Nick Jonas, a preferred American singer of the Jonas Brothers fame, took it upon himself to observe the Mary Kom movie.
“He doesn’t actually watch my Bollywood films however he watched Mary Kom by himself someday,” the actor said.
Mary Kom 2 a risk?
Although the Mary Kom movie takes a complete have a look at the champion boxer’s early days, it’s nonetheless a narrative half-told.
The script and the screenplay of the Mary Kom film finalised in 2011. It encapsulates Mary Kom’s inspiring rise from her village in Manipur in opposition to all odds. It climaxes along with her on the gold medal-winning bout on the 2008 World Boxing Championships in Ningbo Metropolis, China – her first massive triumph since turning into a mom for the primary time in 2007.
Since then, the Indian boxer has received a number of titles contained in the boxing ring, together with two extra World Championships, two Asian Video games gold medals, a Commonwealth Video games gold and most significantly a bronze at the London 2012 Olympics – considered the crowning second of her profession.
A number of intriguing narratives, too, have performed out in her life, together with turning into a mom to extra kids, being nominated as a member of India’s Rajya Sabha and an intriguing rivalry with Nikhat Zareen in a bid to qualify for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
Already having certified for the Tokyo Video games, there may be nonetheless much more to return from Magnificent Mary so as to add to what’s a pleasant assortment of storytelling pegs match for the large display.
The boxer, in truth, already has her suggestion checklist prepared for a possible Mary Kom 2. “I would like extra concentrate on the fights in the event that they ever resolve to make one other biopic on me,” she mentioned.
Tips on how to watch the Mary Kom film?
Whereas we might have to attend for any potential sequel to the unique, you possibly can watch the Mary Kom film on on-line streaming on Netflix or lease or purchase the film to observe it on YouTube.
