[1]The cricket season may have just started but Kapil Dev feels that Bollywood should endeavour to drive the youth to go beyond cricket. And the film industry seems to be taking baby steps towards that goal. Son of Indian shooter Moraad Ali Khan, Zaid Ali Khan is making a movie titled Khwaab, which is based on Olympics; Aamir Khan is playing a gymnast in the much-talked about Dhoom 3 and Farhan Akhtar will follow in the footsteps of Paan Singh Tomar and endear audiences towards athletics in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag based on the life of Milkha Singh.
Adding to the list of upcoming films on sports, Sanjay Leela Bhansali also wants to make a film on the life of Olympic bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom. In the past we had very few films on sports other than cricket like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander and Chak De! India that managed to win hearts.
“From only cricket-based films to telling stories about other sports, the trend is indeed changing,” says Tigmanshu Dhulia, director, Paan Singh Tomar. “And the change has a lot to do with the better performance of Indian sportspersons at various international competitions,” says Dhulia.
The change is indeed seen as a very positive sign among Indian sportspersons, who have been struggling under the massive popularity of cricket. “Bollywood has a wider reach in the country and many will get to know about boxing, which is a positive sign,” says Mary Kom, adding, “For a sportsperson, recognition leads to motivation. This recognition will motivate me to train harder and win more medals.”
Mary adds that boxing is gaining popularity in India but there’s still a need for more girls to take up the sport. “This film will inspire young girls and their parents to encourage their kids to take up boxing,” she says.
Besides, making a sports film is not that difficult either, says director Dhulia. “It all starts with the story of an underdog who goes on to make it big in life. But Bollywood hasn’t experimented enough,” he adds jokingly.
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