Considering the miserable condition of sports in
India, while looking at the 2-min long sponsorship slide-show at the very
beginning of the film; there is no prospect one would not sink in deep thoughts
as if these many filthy rich business honchos would dare to promote the real
life heroes in sports and not just a plain voracious commercial film on few of
them, today we would have more than just one Mary Kom or Milkha Singh to be
proud of. Art director-turned-film director Omung Kumar’s biopic MARY KOM is an
ambitious film yet a noticeable victim of box-office centered commercialization
in Indian cinema. And it hurts more than the innumerable solid muscular punches
on our actor-in-desperation Priyanka Chopra’s face in the film!
Born as Mangte
Chungneijang, Mary Kom is a five-time world boxing
champion hailing from the outer world of Manipur. Earnestly we didn’t know much
about her or I would say we were not much bothered until the announcement of
this very biopic, but the saddest part is even the film, despite a great
promise; plays quite cold towards its central character. In a very hectic and
harried manner, we are told about her passion towards boxing, her uprise as a
noted player in the ring followed by a quickie downfall in her career
post-pregnancy.
Saiwyn Quadras’
story is packed with drama and thrills at regular intervals but never actually
shocks you with its inevitable nature in the story-telling. Look at the plot
development and you can easily identify the set formulaic patterns of just any
sports film, only relief is that its central character is a woman, a mother of
two and an underdog from one of the most deserted & sidelined states in
India. Bollywood hardly and rarely shows guts of this kind!
MARY KOM’s biggest
strength is its environs that plant you in the very real-very existent lush
green world of North-East. Most of the supporting cast and people around in every
frame make themselves rooted in the place they are directed to be in. But two
odd things out that you can’t miss or ignore are the brand positioning and, despite
not owning any symmetry or likeness in physical appearances, Priyanka Chopra’s firmness
in will and exhorting efforts of all kinds to blur the line between real and
reel Mary. So whenever you find yourself in awe to be inspired from the living
sports legend being portrayed on the screen, there is one or other product
placement ready to mellow down all the intensity, force and passion flowing
out. An age-old pain-relief ointment, pregnancy test kit, low-calorie sweetener
and what not! You can actually play ‘Spot the Brand’ exercise with friends,
later.
Priyanka helms the brigade
with some of the real promising talents. Darshan Kumar as Onler- the all season
supportive husband to Mary is a revelation. He charms the screen with unconventional
looks and true to life acting skills. Sunil Thapa as Mary’s strong-headed coach
is impressive, so is the actor playing Mary’s father.
My issues with the film can go as much further
as some of the sequences appearing too dramatic to be actual but let’s not get
into it more and admire the fact that Bollywood has challenged itself with a
subject not very common in practice! Better late than never, I say! Some
stories need to be told. This is one. Had it been more focused, would have been
better! [2.5/5]
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