Boxer Mary Kom captured the nation's imagination after she returned from
the Olympics in a blaze of glory, armed with a bronze medal and the
goodwill of everyone back home. In the natural progression of things,
Bollywood has a film planned about her.
But the man behind it isn't quite the person you'd expect to make a movie about a sporting hero or, in this case, a heroine.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali may be known for his weeping sagas of unrequited love but that hasn't stopped the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam director from jumping in the ring to produce the film about Mary Kom's life.
The cast for the yet untitled venture hasn't been finalised but the film will be directed by Omung Kumar who worked with Mr Bhansali in Black and Saawariya as Art Director.
"Omung brought the script to me a month before the Olympics. Mary Kom has made India proud. I was moved by her story. She has what it takes to make a great champion. She is a mother of two, has been through so much struggle, has tremendous spirit and a sense of living and dignity and is now a World Champion. An Indian woman boxer is rare. It will be an exciting film to produce and I am very happy to do it," Mr Bhansali was quoted by Times of India.
Mr Bhansali will reportedly meet Mary Kom herself on August 23 to discuss the project with her. Will she give him her blessing or knock him out with a right hook?
But the man behind it isn't quite the person you'd expect to make a movie about a sporting hero or, in this case, a heroine.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali may be known for his weeping sagas of unrequited love but that hasn't stopped the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam director from jumping in the ring to produce the film about Mary Kom's life. The cast for the yet untitled venture hasn't been finalised but the film will be directed by Omung Kumar who worked with Mr Bhansali in Black and Saawariya as Art Director.
"Omung brought the script to me a month before the Olympics. Mary Kom has made India proud. I was moved by her story. She has what it takes to make a great champion. She is a mother of two, has been through so much struggle, has tremendous spirit and a sense of living and dignity and is now a World Champion. An Indian woman boxer is rare. It will be an exciting film to produce and I am very happy to do it," Mr Bhansali was quoted by Times of India.
Mr Bhansali will reportedly meet Mary Kom herself on August 23 to discuss the project with her. Will she give him her blessing or knock him out with a right hook?
