National Sports Day is celebrated on 29 August every year to honour the birthday anniversary of Dhyan Chand, a renowned field hockey player. This day is also known as Rashtriya Khel Diwas. Sports has also created a massive impact on Bollywood. Bollywood sports movies are all about the stories of sports heroes and their struggles to pursue their dream in sports.
There is hardly any genre that Bollywood hasn’t tried its hands at and sports movies are no exception. We have already presented you best Indian cricket movies. Let’s take a look at some other Bollywood sports movies.
1. Chak De India (2007)
Kabir Khan, a rejected hockey player, redeems himself as the coach of the Indian Women’s National Hockey Team. His dream is to make his all-girls team emerge victorious against all odds. Directed by Shimit Ameen, the film has an amazing soundtrack with the very popular song “Chak De! India” that almost very Indian sang on the day of International sports matches.
Starring Shahrukh Khan in the role of a lifetime, Chak De! India is one of the finest Bollywood sports movies on hockey. SRK’s inspiring “sattar minute” speech is particularly unforgettable.
2. Dangal (2016)
Dangal is based on the real-life story of former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his two wrestler daughters, who struggle their way towards glory at the Commonwealth Games and other wrestling tournaments in the face of societal oppression. With the famous dialogue “Maari chhoriya chhoro se kam hai ke” (My daughters are no less than boys), the film made it to our list of best Bollywood sports movies of all time. Dangal became one of the highest-earning Bollywood sports movies and made Aamir Khan a superstar after its release in China.
3.Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
Based on the real-life story of India’s Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh, this biopic showcases the truth behind the ascension of Milkha Singh who was scarred because of the India-Pakistan partition. Actor Farhan Akhtar did complete justice to the role of Milkha Singh, with his utmost dedication and training to fit into the role. The movie is very inspiring and indeed one of the best Bollywood sports movies.
4. Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
Another true story of an athlete, Paan Singh Tomar is a story of hard work and struggle. A soldier in the Indian army who was a seven-time national steeplechase champion becomes one of the most feared dacoits in Chambal Valley after his retirement. The movie won the National Award for Best Feature Film and late Irrfan Khan walked away with the Best Actor award. Watch this movie right away and we are sure who will be blown by Irrfan Khan’s acting.
5. Iqbal (2005)
From playing gully cricket, almost every Indian child dreams of playing cricket for India one day. Iqbal, the deaf and mute son of a farmer, has a passion for the game of cricket. When his condition hinders his selection, he seeks the tutelage of an alcoholic ex-player. The movie sends the message that no dream is small or impossible if one has the determination to change it into reality. With wonderful direction and screenplay, Iqbal is a must watch biopic for every sports lover.
More about National Sports Day
In a career spanning over two decades, the Allahabad-born Dhyan Chand scored over 400 goals and won many accolades throughout his illustrious career. National Sports Day was first celebrated in 2012. Post-2012, the government of India launched various sports schemes on this day like the Khelo India movement, announced in 2018. On this day, the nation confers its stars with recognitions like the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dhyan Chand Award and the Dronacharya Award at a ceremony held at the iconic Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Bollywood sports movies are insiprational and motivational as well. Sports is not an easy career but with perseverance, hard work and determination, nothing is impossible!
It may be an unpopular opinion but I liked Bhaag Milkha Bhaag more than Chak De India. The real story of Milkha Singh was very well displayed on the screen.