June 23 marks International Olympic Day. Olympics are the flavour of the season and that’s reason enough for us to rustle up the archives and come up with Hindi films that feature Olympic sports.
In the following feature we list out popular Hindi films that featured less popular sports from the Olympic roster.
Paan Singh Tomar
This brilliant biopic by director Tigmanshu Dhulia on the life and times of Paan Singh Tomar, India’s number one steeplechase athlete back in the ‘60s, is a real sports gem. Irrfan Khan portrayed the role of Paan Singh and the scenes featuring him gliding through the 3000m steeplechase track were a sight to behold.
Tanu Weds Manu Returns
The fact that Tanu Weds Manu Returns featured the sport of long jump and triple jump is one of the least remembered features of this film. One of Kangana Ranaut’s double roles was that of Datto, who was an athlete in Delhi University on sports quota. There’s even scenes of Kangana practising for the long jump where R Madhavan’s character disturbs her concentration.
My Brother… Nikhil
This sensitive film directed by Onir and featuring Sanjay Suri, Purab Kohli and Juhi Chawla was based on the life of a swimmer who’s diagnosed with HIV and then his life falls apart. Sanjay Suri played the lead character Nikhil, who’s been trained all his life to be a champion in the pool.
Budhia Singh: Born To Run
Based on the real life of five-year-old Budhia Singh, this biopic features the sport of Marathon. This genuinely honest and exhilarating story features Manoj Bajpai as Budhia’s coach. The film’s big dramatic play happens on Budhia’s dream to be an Olympic runner, which sadly hasn’t yet been realised in reality.
Chak De! India
India’s best effort at portraying the sport of Hockey has been in 2007’s Chak De! India. This film is remembered as one of Shah Rukh Khan’s best movies and for good reason. In the movie, SRK’s character coaches the Indian women’s hockey team who eventually end up winning the Hockey world cup.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Farhan Akhtar’s best role to date, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was the official biopic of Indian athletics legend the late Milkha Singh. Naturally this period movie featured the track sports of 200 mts as well as 400 mts where Milkha Singh originally competed.
These Bollywood Sports Movies will surely help you in lifting you up, whenever you find yourself at the low point of your life.