No other Bollywood actress other than Priyanka Chopra could have fit the character of Mary Kom. After watching the movie, that’s the only thing that will cross your mind.
`Mary Kom` directed by Omung Kumar is a tribute to the living legend MC Mary Kom. The biopic which traces the journey of five times world boxing champion and Olympic medalist Mary Kom, is just tailor-made for the big screen.
Young Mary, played by Priyanka, who hails from a small town in Manipur, is rebellious and a fighter since her childhood and has always nurtured the dream of being a boxer. But her father stands in front of her dream and does not approve of a girl going to the boxing ring.
She easily picks up fights with the school boys and is not one to be put down easily. That’s when she meets her coach Narjit Singh (Sunil Thapa) who is one of the pivotal figures in her life. Together they embark on a journey to give the world a world champion, Mary Kom, that we know of now.
Despite all odds, a poor diet and facing a tide of racism (because she is a Northeasterner), Mary braves it and packs some power punches to win the world championship. An emotional moment, as that is when her father understands the passion that burns within her and accepts her decision wholeheartedly.
Mary, through this journey, meets Onler (Darshan Kumar) who promises to support her boxing career throughout and amidst a song, they say `I do`, miffing her coach as he believes this would mark the end of Mary’s career.
Post marriage, Mary’s boxing career almost comes to a halt. Mary becomes a forgotten hero and it hits her when a kid whom she meets in a bus wants to become like Mary but fails to recognise her. Three times World Champion Mary decides to get her career back on track and starts her training in full swing.
And all respect to Onler, who stands like a true pillar of support in the lean times and coaxes her to go back to what she is best at doing- boxing.
Hurdles are a plenty in Mary’s life; her comeback from motherhood to being a boxer is quite tough. Several times she has to bow down to the federation authorities, simply because she is a Manipuri and that’s when your blood boils. Despite being a Indian and fighting for the country, Mary faces racism and her agony and frustration over this is loud and clear.
But the fighter does not stop there. The gritty Mary with all her heart and soul comes back in form and shape, and after reconciling with her coach, both set out to conquer the world. The story picks up pace from that point. The build up to the fights was intense and there are some nail-biting moments too. What should be mentioned here is that the end, made me realise how the movie brought out the patriotism in the audience. They were clapping and rooting for Mary and the entire hall stood up to the National Anthem which played towards the end.
Directer Omung Kumar’s biopic on this sports lady does lack some craftsmanship, but we all know about the ‘Magnificent’ Mary and her defiant struggles. Although, the story depicting her life journey could have been made better. Priyanka Chopra truly captures the heart and soul of Mary and is a saving grace.
The boxer’s biopic has everything a film demands-drama, actions, a light-humour, emotional upheavals, including some twists in the tale-but what it lacks is the fact that her story could have been unfolded without being ‘over the top’ filled with all the melodrama.
Interestingly, the makers of the movie couldn’t have found a better date for the release than September 5, Teacher’s Day. The tender relation that Priyanka shares with her coach explores the emotional contact that a student-teacher shares. The influence that her coach has in her life is huge and it is brought out in the movie. -Agency
`Mary Kom` directed by Omung Kumar is a tribute to the living legend MC Mary Kom. The biopic which traces the journey of five times world boxing champion and Olympic medalist Mary Kom, is just tailor-made for the big screen.
Young Mary, played by Priyanka, who hails from a small town in Manipur, is rebellious and a fighter since her childhood and has always nurtured the dream of being a boxer. But her father stands in front of her dream and does not approve of a girl going to the boxing ring.
She easily picks up fights with the school boys and is not one to be put down easily. That’s when she meets her coach Narjit Singh (Sunil Thapa) who is one of the pivotal figures in her life. Together they embark on a journey to give the world a world champion, Mary Kom, that we know of now.
Despite all odds, a poor diet and facing a tide of racism (because she is a Northeasterner), Mary braves it and packs some power punches to win the world championship. An emotional moment, as that is when her father understands the passion that burns within her and accepts her decision wholeheartedly.
Mary, through this journey, meets Onler (Darshan Kumar) who promises to support her boxing career throughout and amidst a song, they say `I do`, miffing her coach as he believes this would mark the end of Mary’s career.
Post marriage, Mary’s boxing career almost comes to a halt. Mary becomes a forgotten hero and it hits her when a kid whom she meets in a bus wants to become like Mary but fails to recognise her. Three times World Champion Mary decides to get her career back on track and starts her training in full swing.
And all respect to Onler, who stands like a true pillar of support in the lean times and coaxes her to go back to what she is best at doing- boxing.
Hurdles are a plenty in Mary’s life; her comeback from motherhood to being a boxer is quite tough. Several times she has to bow down to the federation authorities, simply because she is a Manipuri and that’s when your blood boils. Despite being a Indian and fighting for the country, Mary faces racism and her agony and frustration over this is loud and clear.
But the fighter does not stop there. The gritty Mary with all her heart and soul comes back in form and shape, and after reconciling with her coach, both set out to conquer the world. The story picks up pace from that point. The build up to the fights was intense and there are some nail-biting moments too. What should be mentioned here is that the end, made me realise how the movie brought out the patriotism in the audience. They were clapping and rooting for Mary and the entire hall stood up to the National Anthem which played towards the end.
Directer Omung Kumar’s biopic on this sports lady does lack some craftsmanship, but we all know about the ‘Magnificent’ Mary and her defiant struggles. Although, the story depicting her life journey could have been made better. Priyanka Chopra truly captures the heart and soul of Mary and is a saving grace.
The boxer’s biopic has everything a film demands-drama, actions, a light-humour, emotional upheavals, including some twists in the tale-but what it lacks is the fact that her story could have been unfolded without being ‘over the top’ filled with all the melodrama.
Interestingly, the makers of the movie couldn’t have found a better date for the release than September 5, Teacher’s Day. The tender relation that Priyanka shares with her coach explores the emotional contact that a student-teacher shares. The influence that her coach has in her life is huge and it is brought out in the movie. -Agency
