GAME ON THE BIG SCREEN

From the Commonwealth Games to the Olympics, Indian sportswomen are making their mark, and how! For our women to bag medals, it's not just a journey of grit and determination; for many, it's also about breaking the glass ceiling, standing up for their dreams, fighting the patriarchy, and much more. Which is why, with just over a month to go for National Sports Day (August 29), here's a round-up of sports women oriented Bollywood biopics that have tugged at our heartstrings.

- Kalwyna Rathod

MARY KOM

PRIYANKA CHOPRA PLAYS MC MARY KOM

Directed by Omung Kumar and with Priyanka Chopra in the lead, this 2014 biopic was a major box-office hit. It highlighted veteran boxer MC Mary Kom's journey of overcoming hurdles and reaching the top, and winning the 2008 World Boxing Championship after returning to the sport post becoming a mother.

Christened 'Magnificent Mary' and the 'Queen of Boxing', Mary has undoubtedly given her all for India. So did Priyanka to the role, leaving no stone unturned to fit into the gloves of the six-time world boxing champion. The former Miss World and two-time National Award winner did justice to the role by convincingly portraying Mary, right from the stance to the footwork.

To get herself into shape, Priyanka underwent extensive physical training, including endurance, strength, flexibility and functional training. She also learned Mary's boxing style and technique, and aced workout scenes that were shot in freezing temperatures in Manali and Dharamshala. The pair spent time with each other to help Priyanka get under the skin of the boxer. Reportedly, Priyanka, who lost her father before shooting began, channelled her grief and pain into her work.

While Priyanka received popular and critical acclaim for her role, Mary revealed in an interview that she had hoped the movie would highlight the nuances of her career, focus more on the fights, and show the many skills and strategies she had had to learn. She also said she understood that the director had to take cinematic liberties to impress the audience.