Priyanka Chopra’s latest film, Mary Kom, opened on Friday with the actress predicted to create a milestone with her latest release. Bollywood Hungama’s Subhash K Jha reports…
OMANG Kumar’s Mary Kom, which opened on Friday, is yet another film in which the leading lady plays the hero.
We’ve had many of those this year, notably Vikas Bahl’s Queen, Sai Kabir’s Revolver Rani, Samar Shaikh’s Bobby Jasoos, Soumik Sen’s Gulab Gang, and Pradeep Sarkar’s Mardaani with Rani Mukerji centre stage.
Priyanka Chopra is no stranger to playing the hero. She has been the main protagonist in author-backed roles in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion, Ashutosh Gowariker’s What’s Your Raashwe? and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Saat Khoon Maaf.
Mary Kom, about the woman boxer of the same name, is being seen in the film trade as a special film that could catapult Chopra to the next level in her career.
She plays a sportswoman who is very much part of our contemporary consciousness. Just how well she captures the essence of Mary Kom’s personality will depend on many factors, including the quality of the script and Kumar’s command over character and narration.
Ajit Andhare, chief operating officer of Viacom, the co-producers of Mary Kom, said: “Priyanka is perhaps the only actress today who can on the one hand play the glamorous heroine with ease next to a male lead… and at the same time pull off a female- lead film with a powerful portrayal entirely on her own.”
Director Kumar says: “Priyanka is a star who has got what it takes to pull off a role like Mary Kom. She is a dedicated and hard-working actor and that attitude is reflected in her work. This film required an actor who forgot about her star power and became Mary Kom in all aspects.”
Kumar said he could not have cast anyone better. “Priyanka is a total package. With the kind of performance and sincerity that she has extended into her role I couldn’t have asked for a better Mary Kom.”
He declines to predict whether if Mary Kom will equal the box office record of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. “I wish only that people will like the film and appreciate the hard work everyone put in.”
Kunal Kohli, who directed Chopra in Teri Meri Kahaani, says she is one of a kind: “She has proved it from the start [with] the career choices she has made. She has done things no other actress could have done, not only because they didn’t have the balls to do it, but because they couldn’t even think of doing what she did.”
Kohli wishes the best for her. “As wonderful as PC (Chopra) is as an actress, she’s even more wonderful as a human being.”
Subhash Ghai adds: “Priyanka loves to surprise us by playing characters that are much more than decorative dolls. I am sure Mary Kom will be no exception.”
Hansal Mehta said he felt the same about Chopra’s abilities in Mary Kom. “I know one thing for sure: a great story never fails. Priyanka is phenomenally committed and I hope Mary Kom is her Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.”
On the question of whether the film will be as big a hit as Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Kohli says: “Mary Kom will create a huge impact on its own, so let’s not compare it with anything else.”
Prasoon Joshi, who wrote Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, said: “I haven’t seen Mary Kom yet, so it would be unfair of me to comment. But I am sure Priyanka has given a great performance. While writing Bhaag Milkha Bhaag I felt that we needed to develop more stories in this genre. And I’d be very happy if audiences give Mary Kom the same welcome they gave Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.”
But producer, author and media commentator Pritish Nandy says Mary Kom lacks the novelty value. “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was a surprise. Now audiences are expecting film biographies to hit the screen. In that sense Mary Kom is a reprise.
“But I am sure Priyanka will make it outstanding. [She] is gifted and will certainly make Mary Kom a sparkling, inspiring film.”
Suneel Darshan, who launched Chopra into the big league with Andaz, feels Mary Kom will be a turning point for the actress: “The 12-year-old journey of PC’s career has been embellished with box office successes and glittering performances in Fashion, Barfi, etc. Mary Kom promises another sterling performance.” – bollywoodhungama.com