Expectations:
There was a time when films with sports as its backdrop, failed to find its deserved audience. Though films like’Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’, ’Lagaan’, ’Chak De India’, ’Iqbal’ and few more changed the whole scenario.
These films not only inspired our filmmakers to make more sports based films matching up to the international standards but also some of them went ahead to make biopics like’Paan Singh Tomar’ and’Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’. Though, the first biopic released was back in the 90’s which was based on the life of national athlete Ashwani Nachappa.
Since all of these biopics were based on the life of national athletes, the promos of’Mary Kom’ raised the expectation level as it featured an interesting sport -boxing. Speaking about which, our Hindi films churned out many films like’Main Inteqam Loonga’, ’Boxer’, ’Apne’, ’Aryan’ and a few more which were all based on boxing. But, ’Mary Kom’ claims to be different than these fine interpretations and looking at the promos it promises to be an exiting power packed film.
However, many a times after watching a flawless promo the movie tends to end up below our expectation level as most of the best stuff attached to that film is displayed in the promo itself. Thus, let’s find out whether’Mary Kom’ will manage to pass the acid test of expectation level or might be among those films which ends up being a mere extended version of its theatrical promo.
Story:
’Mary Kom’ is based on the real life of an Indian boxer, Mary Kom(Priyanka Chopra). The movie showcases the journey of Mary Kom, which includes her training by coach, Narjit Singh(Sunil Thapa) and her love life with Onler(Darshan Kumar). How does Mary fulfill her dreams and win for our country is what the entire film is all about.
Screenplay & Technicalities:
Story as the writer claims, is based on the real life happening of boxer Mary Kom. The writer narrates the tale in super speed, especially in the first half where things move at the speed of Superman, without even taking time to establish the plot line. The second half starts at a snail pace as it portrays the personal life of Mary Kom and gets stuck there, for a long and dragging period. The finale portions have to be super excited, sadly here, it’s predictable and total filmi. There are some good and interesting scenes like Priyanka trying to bash the local goon, Priyanka in a street fight, Priyanka seeking apology from the federation guy followed by firing him before final match and few more. But, films like’Mary Kom’ needs more such type of scenes and some most brilliantly designed boxing matches. The whole training and playing for, at various levels is shown in super fast mode due to which you fail to connect with the film and its happenings. Everything here is so easily shown and done in a super jiffy manner. They should have shown more detailing in these scenes instead of showing extra detailing in the married life of Mary Kom. The boxing matches are not that exciting or interesting as it should have been presented. The repetitive scenes and dragging moments ruin the whole intensity of the film. Dialogues by Karan Singh Rathore are great and tries to balance the weak screenplay. The camera work is very good and gets the right tone required for such films.
Music & Direction:
Music my Shashi-Shivamm is good, but not chartbuster. Songs like’Ziddi Dil’, ’Sukoon Mila’ and’Salaam India’ go well with the flow of the film. The lori by Priyanka Chopra is soothing. Background music is average.
Debutant director Omang Kumar comes up with a brilliant concept, but fails to do justice to it. He focuses more on the personal happenings of Mary Kom rather than the one she is known for. The intensity of the film is mellowed down due to low production values. Also, one will find many brand promotions in the film, out of which few were placed in those eras, when they din’t even exist.
Performances:
Priyanka Chopra is outstanding and gives yet another flawless performance. Her physical efforts deserve special mention and is something which has never been done in our Hindi film industry by any actress. If only’Mary Kom’ on overall basis would have been as impactful as her films like’Fashion’ or’Barfi’, it would have done proper justice to her hard work and efforts. Its due to her presence and performance would like to add one extra star to the ratings. Sunil Thapa lends good support. Darshan Kumar is weak and fails to match up to Priyanka’s brilliance. Shishir Sharma is fine in his part.
So bol meri "FILMI KHOPDI" iss film mein kitna hain Dum?
Dum? Well the movie has some good punchy moments with a fantastic performance by Priyanka Chopra. Also, it’s not a bad film, but fails to create the magic which was created by’Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’.’Mary Kom’ is no where close to’Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ nor the daredevil efforts of the real life of Mary Kom. It’s a decent one time watch which ends up being a half knockout, instead of a full knockout film.