Priyanka Chopra has certainly outdone herself on this one. For all the people, it is a must watch, not just because of Priyanka, but because of Mary, her story one that needs to be told. From misogynist officials, to her father’s hatred of the game, to her pregnancy, and the superb comeback, she is a lady to salute. Priyanka adapts the character with ease and simplicity and does justice to the role. Darshan Kumar, who portrays Onler Kom, Mary’s extremely supportive husband, has acted perfectly going from the lovestruck puppy to the caring father and the supportive husband convincingly. The story is easy to follow and synchronized to perfection, ending right with Mary winning the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics, where Priyanka blends her emotions of happiness, sadness, and relief flawlessly. Sunil Thapa’s supporting role as Mary’s coach is okay, but I feel it could have been stronger. The energy filled first half gives way to a more soft and a warming second one. (Warning: Contains spoilers.)
There are many strong and defining scenes: one where Mary comes out with a shaved face saying, “Sar bhari ho gaya tha. Ab gala to nahi kaat sakti thi.” Also a scene where she is asked to present five reasons why she wants to learn boxing, “I love boxing. I love boxing. I love boxing. I love boxing. Ab pachvah bhi batana pageda?” Then there’s a scene where she asks her retired coach to start training her again where he ties both her children on her back and says, “Ab hum double mehnat karenge.” And it’s absolutely wonderful to watch the entire crowd in the hall stand up in attention when the Indian Nation Anthem plays in the end. A thrilling and a goose-bumping experience, which shows Omung Kumar, the movie director couldn’t have done better.
For me, it was not just a biopic. It was a film with a clear and a defining message. You have to struggle, take risks, work hard, persevere, never give up hope, and most of all, you need to have a direction in life to excel in what you do. You need to have a path, one that takes you towards success, fame and popularity because of what you do, and you have to be proud of what you do.
This movie, for me is a must watch, not just because of Priyanka’s performance or the story, but because it is a story that needs to be told to every Indian, making them proud of their country, because Onler Kom deserves it and because K. Kosana Meitei, her coach deserves it and because Mary Kom deserves it. Mary certainly couldn’t have better.
The World Past Me 