This is, of course, not new. In an earlier era were films like "Awwal Number", "Hip, Hip, Hurray" and "Saaheb". But the trend really caught on after 2000 when Bollywood readily began to use sports as a canvas in movies like "Lagaan", "Iqbal", "Chak De! India", "De Dhana Dhan Goal", "Meerabai Not Out", "Victory", "Lahore" and "Patiala House".
And it's no longer about just cricket, points out Omung Kumar, who is directing the biopic on Mary Kom, to be played by Priyanka Chopra.
"Sports and films are always loved in our country. But cricket became a highlight. Now, all sports are gradually getting due respect. As far as biopics on sports stars are concerned, they are often inspiring tales which touch the heart," Kumar told IANS, adding that he had been inspired to tell the boxing champion's story even before she had won an Olympic medal for the country.
