Mary Kom Criticizes Biopic Starring Priyanka Chopra for Misrepresentation
Mary Kom criticized the biopic about her life, stating it only shows a fraction of her struggles.
Mary Kom, the renowned Indian boxer, has expressed disappointment with the biopic depicting her life, claiming it only captures a fraction of her real struggles. In an interview with Indian Express, she stated that the 2014 film starring Priyanka Chopra reflects only about 10% of her hardships and sacrifices.
These remarks followed Kom’s exit from the reality show Bigg Boss 20, where she spent approximately seven weeks. She noted that while many viewers saw her genuine personality on the show, the biopic failed to portray her true journey and experiences accurately.
Directed by Omung Kumar and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film was groundbreaking for its time as a big-budget Hindi biopic focused on a female athlete still competing. At the time of its release, Kom was a five-time world champion and had won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, later adding a sixth world title to her accolades. The film enjoyed commercial success and praise for Chopra’s performance, but it faced criticism for dramatization and neglecting the political context of Kom’s home state, Manipur. Some took issue with Chopra, a non-Manipuri, being cast in the lead role.
Mary Kom dismissed the idea of a sequel, stating everyone is already familiar with her story. Her comments reflect the ongoing debate in the realm of sports biopics, where dramatic storytelling often oversimplifies the complexities of an athlete’s journey.
In the same interview, she shared her thoughts about her time on Bigg Boss. Kom described the experience as valuable and enjoyable, considering the challenges of adapting to life with contestants from diverse backgrounds. She appreciated the support she received from Priyanka Chopra, who acknowledged her journey in boxing over the years.
Kom remains passionate about boxing and plans to explore opportunities in professional boxing, even as she has retired from amateur competitions due to age limits. She is also dedicated to nurturing young athletes through the Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation in Manipur, which aims to develop boxing talent across India. She emphasized the need for more financial support to enhance the infrastructure and resources for training aspiring boxers.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.