In the history of Bollywood, we can actually count on our finger tips the number of sports movies that have been blockbusters. Mary Kom is sure to join that exclusive list. The director Omung Kumar, manages to take the viewer on an exhilarating journey of struggle, hardships and irony that culminates into sweet success. The accolades he has got over the years for designing the most awe-inspiring sets have not gone a waste. They have only inspired him to paint a picture that inspires each one of to follow our dreams at any cost.
Mary Kom, five times World Boxing Champion from India, deserves a long due standing ovation from each and every one of us. To be able to achieve this feat in the circumstances that the sportsmen of India are subjected to, all thanks to Sports Authority of India (SAI), is not an easy one.
Now coming to Priyanka Chopra, who plays Mary Kom, there is just one word to define her performance – ‘Stupendous’.
The hard work, the research, the commitment she has given in order to play the character perfectly is very evident from every frame. She might not look Manipuri, but her performance, makes her clothes, hair and makeup nitpicky stuff. The accent is impressive so is the passion in the voice. It can be safely said that the lady has raised the bar, which was already high up after her ‘Barfi’ performance. The scenes with the twins and the dilemma of a mother who needs to leave her sick child to pursue her dreams, are very well enacted. Looking forward to many more such meaningful and believable performances..
Although not shot in Manipur, the locations of Imphal, Manali and Dharamshala manage to create quite a genuine backdrop. The supporting cast is well chosen and handpicked in order to let no shadows eclipse the stellar performance of the lady in the lead. Onler, Mary Kom’s husband is played by Darshan Kumar and he does a fairly good job. Sunil Thapa, plays the crucial role of Mary Koms’s coach and their ring side confrontations are pretty impressive.
The music needs a special mention here as it delivers the much needed zing to the punch that the movie sets out to deliver. ‘Ziddi Dil’ by Vishal Dadlani captures the loneliness of the gym, the crispiness of the mountain air perfectly. ‘Salaam India’ is well composed, but we are still to find a song that can surpass the sentiments of ‘Chak De’. The lori sung by Priyanka Chopra called ‘”Chaoro (Lori)”, is sure to leave you misty eyed.
The only let downs is the rush to the finale in the second half and the tasteless commentary from the ringside. On the whole Mary Kom can easily be our ideal choice for the Oscars this year. The movie is a must watch to see the hardships that sportsmen in our country, except cricketers go through. Applaud their success, which erupts from a long, hard fought battle of survival in the most difficult circumstances.
Hill Post Rating 4 out of 5
Bon vivant, writer extraordinaire.
Mostly I’d only heard not such good things about the movie. Your reflections inspire me to go see the movie.