Mary Kom

Director: Omung Kumar

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Darshan Kumar and Sunil Thapa

Making a biopic is an art form. Some might say it's even a science. But fact is, the craft of making a good biopic is so challenging that only the best filmmakers around the world attempt it with success. Making a good one is like winning a lottery. It involves luck and knowing what to bet on. Omung Kumar is making the transition from art direction to inhabiting the director's chair. And he's chosen the toughest challenge from the word go. The result though is a little underwhelming. Plainly said, it's not bad at all and the filmmaker can thank Priyanka Chopra for it. She's the sole reason Mary Kom spars her way in to your heart.

First things first. Any film, biopic or not, can be and will be good only and only if the writing is solid. Weak scripts or screenplays can even let down the most inspirational of all tales. Here's where Mary Kom nearly suffers a knockout blow. The narration of MC Mary Kom's fantastic real life story is so pedantic you sit and wonder why you can't empathize or even sympathize with her character. We're shown that Mary Kom hails from a poor farming family in Manipur but her journey towards getting 5 boxing world championships seems a little too breezy. The best stories break your heart and then give you a means to mend it. The rule is only 10 times more relevant to biopics. But Mary Kom, the film, hurries through its character's travails like a history textbook chapter. It states every fact but never quite creates the requisite emotional attachment. Writer Saiwyn Quadras has a long way to go before writing the quintessential good film.

Another thundering uppercut to the film's chances comes from director Omung Kumar's interpretation of his subject. Mary Kom is an internationally revered sports achiever. Go to the eastern parts of our country to realize she's no less than a phenom. The woman sells FMCG products as prolifically as she's sold million dollar dreams to lakhs of Indians. She is the gem of Northeast India. She's inspired thousands to seek sports glory. Surely there was a better perspective to her story. It could've been much more thoughtful, much more insightful. But full marks for the attempt. At least Omung is trying to tell the right tale.

His biggest asset, his cinematic right hook is Priyanka Chopra. Her performance is focused and intense. The way she picks up the North Eastern accent, the way she picks fights with boys, the way she picks up the nuances of boxing are masterful. Sometimes the hallmark of a great actress is a flawless performance in a flawed film. As unfortunate as that is, that's the truth of PC and her portrayal of MC Mary Kom. Darshan Kumar as her husband Onler Kom is quite good too.

For the average multiplex viewer Mary Kom could be a wry affair. No songs, no action, sparse boxing scenes... but there is the occasional punchy dialogue and PC's heroics. Might not be the bout everyone's looking for. But hats off to MC Mary Kom. If anyone deserved a special place in celluloid it's this awesome champion.