Top notch Bollywood Movies based on Sports

Besides Hollywood in the United States, Bollywood of India is another industry that is worldwide famous for its phenomenal films, based on scintillating concepts that can stir your soul, making you feel that the story belongs to you. Since 1913, Bollywood has given numerous stories based on various social subjects linked with our lives and sports are amongst those.

Let's have a look at the sketch of some distinguished sports movies that has completely changed our perspective on sports as well as encouraged us to get up and go for it.

Dangal (Women’s Wrestling- 2016)

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A blockbuster biographical movie of the year 2016, based on the story of a former amateur wrestler (Mahavir Singh Phogat) of a small village of Haryana who trains her daughters (Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari) in wrestling by fighting against the odds of the society. The father makes both the girls efficient in the sport through hard practice and workouts to win the international competition not for self but for the nation which was accomplished by his daughters.

The story describes the hardships of an amateur with a great message that each one of us ought to learn to win over the challenges of our life, no matter how bitter the circumstances may fall or how negligible the world makes you feel, and not to forget that girls are not less than boys.

The film was directed by Nitesh Tiwari who is also a well-known screenwriter and lyricist; written by his outstanding team that includes Piyush Gupta, Shreyas Jain, Nikhil Mehrotra.

The role of the father was astoundingly performed by one of the most popular and established actor Amir Khan along with much deserving actors and actresses such as Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, Suhani Bhatnagar and Aparshakti Khurana.  

M.S. Dhoni (Cricket- 2016)

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A biopic based on the life of one of our favourite captains of the Indian cricket team- Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The efforts of the director of the film Neeraj Pandey and his team enable the world to know the untold story of the known name of the cricket world. It portrays Dhoni's journey from his birth to his unforgettable victory at the World Cup of 2011.

Like all of us, Dhoni was also a part of the crowd who watches cricket and other sports on TV but as talent speaks out better and was noticed by wise ones, Dhoni's skills in sports were identified by his school coach who rewed up his passion in the stream.

Apart from that, the film also focuses on his persona and virtues that not only steal the heart of cricket fanatics but those as well who are not much sporty. Many names were shortlisted for the lead role of the story but the team finally selected the finest of them- Sushant Singh Rajput whose life story is also a persuasion for the budding actors.

Sultan (Wrestling- 2016)

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A former wrestler who re-established himself in his forte through immense hard work and dedication in spite of his unfit body and conventional techniques. He trains himself day and night, living apart from his family with a motto to open a blood bank with the prize money that he can receive only after winning the mixed martial arts league (fictional).

Salman Khan successfully acted as the lead role in the film opposite to Anushka Sharma who also played the role of a state-level wrestler. Both the actors went through hard training sessions to fulfil the demand of the roles.

Ali Abbas Zafar directed the film under the production of the Yash Raj banner written by the director. The film became the seventh highest-grossing Indian film of all time, winning not only the heart of movie lovers but also inspiring the young generation to never quit the dreams.       

Mary Kom (Boxing- 2014)

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This movie depicts the journey of a common Manipuri girl to become the only woman boxer of India who has won each of the six World Championships and the only woman boxer from India to qualify the Summer Olympics of 2012 - M.C. Mary Kom. The girl has not only fought against her family but also to her fate of being a common girl of a farmer.

Having love for boxing in her heart, Mary starts training under the tutelage of the trainer of an efficient coach Narjit Singh and soon dominates the boxing ring. In spite of being confronted by her father, Mary moves on with her passion and starts living her dreams.

The story concluded with a message that only getting success is not a winner’s thing but to sustain that success is the big game.

Director Omung Kumar was much appreciated for his fine direction and selection for the lead role of Mary Kom which was given to Priyanka Chopra who completely dwelled into the character and trained herself hard for it.

Hawaa Hawaai (Roller Skating- 2014)

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A remarkable story of a boy with gifted talent to skate who wants to learn in his niche but unable to get proper training due to his financial condition and is forced by fate to work in a tea stall. One evening, he watches some children practising with skates at a nearby skating ring and attempts to practice with his skates made out of the garbage.

A skating coach Aniket Bhargava gets impressed by his efforts and decided to train the boy to win a championship. However, destiny puts all possible tests but finally bends down in front of their firm will to achieve their goal.

Partho Gupte once again was featured in the film in the lead role along with Saqib Saleem who played the role of his coach. The film was an astounding effort of a fabulous mind in the acting industry Amole Gupte has written, produced and uniquely directed the film to give a beautiful message that one should never stop chasing one's dreams until achieved in spite of hundreds of horror of fate.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Athletics- 2013)

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Based on the story of "The Flying Sikh" Milkha Singh and his race of life on the track of sprint. Milkha was a witness to the massacre of 1947 (Partition of India) that took the life of his parents. The story depicts how the odds of his life ignited his inner spark and finally transmogrify Milkha into "The Flying Sikh" who later wins various international races breaking old and making new records.

The script was inspired by the autobiography of Milkha Singh who took only a rupee for the film rights. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directed the film and Farhaan Akhtar justified his selection for the lead role of Milkha Singh.

Chak de! India (Women’s Hockey- 2007)

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Kabir Khan, the Captain of the national field hockey team (fictional) of India, was exiled from the national team after an unexpected defeat against Pakistan in the Hockey World Cup (fictional) as media wrongly portrayed him being intentionally involved in the victory of the opponent team. One wrong rumour ruined the career of an honest player.

After seven years, Khan returned to the hockey field as a coach of the Indian Women's hockey team which was not in the state to compete at the international level. At last, with the victory of the team at the World Cup, he proved his innocence by giving India an international win which was beyond possibility.

The script not only told about the sportsmanship of a player but also encouraged Indian girls to make a move for the sports field as they are not less than boys in any field. Shimit Amin directed the film with an amazing story sketched by Jaideep Sahni and starred by the Baadshah of Bollywood - Shah Rukh Khan and 16 young actresses.

The film won various awards including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and the title track "Chak de! India" is equally considered as the national anthem by the sports fanatics of India today.

Iqbal (Cricket- 2005)

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An amazing story of a deaf and dumb boy Iqbal of a remote village who wants to play cricket for the nation and win the international stage through his knack for bowling as well as batting, but due to the financial crisis and lack of proper coaching, unable to live his dreams in reality.

Iqbal's father also wants him to quit daydreaming and join him in field work to meet the end of his life. However, he is supported by his sister Khadija. The destiny favours Iqbal by introducing him to a man named Mohit who aided him in achieving his dreams.

In spite of all the obstacles that inhibit him to go to a big field, Iqbal succeeded in cementing a place in the Ranji Trophy team of Andhra Pradesh. In the final match, Iqbal was offered a big amount of money to bowl badly, but the boy remains honest to his passion, played at his best and wins the match for the team.

The story was narrated and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, giving a debut chance to Shreyas Talpade to show his acting skills. The film was much appreciated and has been given the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.

Lagaan (Cricket- 2001)

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As the title of the film depicts, it is a story of a village of Indian state Gujarat during the times of British Rule in India. The inhabitants of the village Champaner pay high taxes imposed by the commanding officer of the region. As the villagers have to pay high taxes, a very small amount is left for them, and the situation gets worse when drought affects the fields' productivity, but the white men remained hard on the terms.

It was one day when the villagers were challenged by the Britishers to play a cricket match, and the taxes will be omitted for three years if they win. A young lad Bhuvan accepts the challenge and lead the team of villagers to win against the white team by learning and training the villagers in the new game and finally wins the match against the white team.

The film spreads a universal message of unity and also gives a fine glimpse of the era when the Indian farmers had to strife against the Britishers.

A renowned name in the industry, Ashutosh Gowariker has directed the film, beautifully narrated by Amitabh Bachchan. Lagaan proved to be one of the biggest hits on the box office of the year 2001 and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and was also listed in the "The All-TIME 25 Best Sports Movies" by the well-known magazine 'Time'.

Amir Khan along with Gracy Singh, British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne played their roles efficiently and proved their knack in the acting industry.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (Cycling- 1992)

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A Superhit movie based on the story of a middle-class carefree young boy Sanju who lives in the town of Dehradun along with his father and elder brother. Unlike his elder brother Ratan, Sanju enjoys his own life to the fullest and cares less about studies and sports, often skipping classes to roam around the town along with his friends.

Both the brothers study at the model college that competes at the annual inter-college sports championship. Sanju's mischievous deeds often make his father and brother down in front of others but he never cares.

One day Sanju has a conflict with his frenemies and is rescued by Ratan after which the latter has a fatal accident and becomes unable to compete at the championship representing his college. It was then Sanju realises his mistakes and decides to participate in his brother's place at the competition.

The story depicts how a single incident changes the persona of a carefree guy to a sincere and dedicated person.

Directed in the guidance of Mansoor Khan, featuring Amir Khan along with other prominent actors of that era Deepak Tijori, Pooja Bedi, Ayesha Jhulka, and Mamik Singh; the film won the Filmfare award for the best movie and wins the heart of every viewer even today whenever watched.