I would admit that making a movie on sports icons is tough given the way last few of them have gone by. We would like it if we can associate with the manner of storytelling & feel as if it’s real.
Being a Sports fanatic and having a fair knowledge about the person, I had high hopes from this movie. And just like always, I wanted to see the various achievements along with the struggles that had to be countered in the way.
This one felt a bit realistic & touched the heart for sure. There were quite a few moments when I just couldn’t control tears from pouring out. The movie has its flaws but Mary Kom(the person) doesn’t. While making a Bollywood Movie, its own scripts are added in the actual storyline.
Some moments did seem unreal from the timing point of view & not totally unreal and the efforts that were put in by this Champion are highly commendable. It is a very fast paced movie where it tries to cover a lot of things in duration of just 123 minutes. This is the way it should go, show maximum in minimum time, don’t exaggerate much.
The movie raises quite a few issues and the hardships that Women in India have to go through. There is regional bias, no support from Authorities, lack of opportunities, poor treatment meted out to Women etc. Since childhood days, there was constant struggle for Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom but she has fought all along to reach where she is now.
I knew that she had a tough life & was an inspiration to the Women, but what a saw today made me realize that life isn’t fair & easy for anyone, but you need to face it all and believe in yourself. Her Dad didn’t like her take up Boxing, the male counterparts in school made fun of her. One of the good dialogues over there was “Dekho, boxing gloves pehen ke aaya Mohammad Ali”.
We have to be “ZIDDI” to get what we want. The journey towards glory wouldn’t have been easy had it not been from help from coach Narjit Singh(Sunil Thapa) and her husband Onler(Darshan Kumar). They have been an integral part of her life.
Thanks to her coach & personal efforts, she went on to scale new heights & provided glory to India in the field of Boxing. But then, marriage happened & life changed. Soon, parenthood came after a long battle there as well. But as they say, come what may, the passion just doesn’t go away. With the belief & support provided by her husband, she resumed training.
Regional bias transpired & she had to face many troubles. How she came out triumphant again is what Mary Kom is all about. Many fights have been properly shown. Some instances were really good and worth a watch.
1st time director Omung Kumar isn’t too good with his work. The initial scenes lacked good quality. Cinematography by Keiko Nakahara was good in parts, excellent in others. Editing by Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Rajesh Pandey didn’t seem good initially, but was great as the movie progressed. The way the whole movie was presented was good. Story is by Saiwyn Quadras & as it is based on real story, he should have done a bit more research there. Screenplay was very good. Dialogues by Karan Rathore & Ramendra Vashishth were very catchy & lively. For me, the best one was “Kisi Ko Itna Bhi Mat Darao Ke Darr Hi Gayab Ho Jaaye”.
Background music by Rohit Kulkarni was ok but I loved the music of the movie very much, kudos to Shashi Suman & Shivam, the music directors & Prashant Ingole, the lyricist. My top picks would easily be Chaoro sung by Priyanka Chopra herself, Adhure by Sunidhi Chauhan Mam, Ziddi Dil by Vishal Dadlani Sir & Sukoon Mila by Arijit Singh. Infact, Chaoro & Adhure bring depth, melody & tears in eyes. Ziddi Dil & Salaam India motivate you all along. Music has been used very well here.
Coming to the performances, it’s just Priyanka Chopra, Priyanka Chopra, Priyanka Chopra. She surpassed her performance in Aitraaz with Fashion & Fashion with Barfii. But to surpass the level she had set with Barfii was going to be very tough & she came out triumphant in it with Mary Kom. The best thing in this movie was to cast PC as Mary Kom. She has done such a massive justice to the role that no one else could have done. All awards heading her way for sure, Kangana might well miss out on it for Queen. Darshan Kumar as the husband & a football player has done a very decent act, does his job well. Coach Sunil Thapa is excellent in every frame, superb act from him. Rest of the cast also acts well.
I would have loved it had they shown her 2012 Olympics Bronze medal journey but it wasn’t to be. She is still fighting & has delivered a 3rd child as well. The Manipuri language & Dance is also shown. This movie is an eye opener for all. Stop the regional bias, respect Women, aim high & commit yourself towards your goals.
If a Woman can struggle so much & come out as a Living Legend, she deserves respect. I bow down to the legend Mary Kom. Her story was needed to be told to the Indians as not many would know about her. Even her husband deserves massive respect. There are a few flaws as I said but given the life that Mary Kom had, I would be a bit lenient and go with 4.5/5 for Mary Kom. Here is a woman who demands & deserves attention & respect.