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Fiction or Non-Fiction
Do Indian cinemas depict the real stories of sports players?
- Vishwas Murmure
We all have seen Indian biopics. Many have a ticket collector to becoming captain of
been the center of controversies and many the Indian cricket team. The movie while
have delivered and touched the Indian capturing the journey is more focused on
hearts and made us proud. Directors have all the dramatization of personal relations and
made many biopics including sports biopics. completely deviates from the real storylines.
Indian sports have seen many legendary Making it hard for the viewers to believe
players in its history. Many have come up that Dhoni’s real story was this. Everyone
with struggles unimaginable. People know remembers the movie for the role played
the stardom but never the struggles behind by Disha Patni and that role’s death on 14th
it. That’s what the biopics are made for, to February and nothing more.
show the struggles and to inspire the youth There are many such controversies to count
on the same lines. But is that happening? Is but there are few movies that are worthy to
the context remaining in that line? Are the watch like Dangal. Staring Amir Khan is, a
movies inspiring? film based on the real-life story of wrestler
Mahavir Singh Phogat and his two daughters,
Many biopics have been released in Geeta and Babita Phogat, who went on to
Bollywood. For example, Dangal (2016), become successful wrestlers. The movie
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), Mary Kom (2014), keeps to the point and shows the struggles
Paan Singh Tomar (2012), Sachin: A Billion of women wrestlers in India.
Dreams (2017), M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story Bollywood often tries to balance the drama
(2016), 83 (2021) and many more. The movies and the real essence of the sports players’
are directed very well and give a very good story. Some fail to balance it correctly. While
experience of Indian cinema. Not all of them some stay true to the events and give a
are box office hits, but those who have been very immersive experience. Controversies
hit have taken home a considerable amount remain on whether Indian cinema depicts
home. There are still controversies regarding the real story of sports players and may vary
the real depiction of the stories. Bollywood from one film to another. The director has to
takes creative liberties and deviates from put the events in a limited time in front of the
the real story of the sports players. viewers while making sure that the viewers
Let’s go for example of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag are engaged in the movie and doesn’t just
This film is based on the life of Indian athlete become a motivational video. Therefore,
Milkha Singh, also known as the Flying Sikh. they feel the need to take that liberty and
While the movie captures the spirit of Milkha put some spice into the story. Dramatize a
Singh’s journey and his triumphs, it does few of the personal relationships and a few
include fictional elements and dramatic events to engage the viewers.
exaggerations for cinematic impact. Indian viewers love it to be honest. They
Some events and characters in the film like spiced love stories, incomplete drama,
are fictionalized or altered to enhance the and controversial events in movies. Indian
storytelling, making it important for viewers viewers need to acknowledge that movies
to recognize the distinction between the are a blend of fiction and reality. The movies
cinematic narrative and the actual life of show the growth, challenges, triumphs, and
Milkha Singh. personal journeys of the sports players,
Another one like M.S. Dhoni. The story revolves viewers need to know that the movies are
around the journey of M.S. Dhoni from being adapted and altered for narrative purposes.
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