Actress Priyanka Chopra on Wednesday unveiled the trailer of her much awaited film Mary Kom, in which she plays the Olympic bronze medallist boxer, describing it as her “hardest” work so far.
Produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and helmed by Omung Kumar, Mary Kom will have its world premiere at the forthcoming edition of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
“This is my hardest film so far. Mary was the inspiration herself for me for the film,” Chopra said.
“We worked for 18 hours in [the] cold, rain, and in very tough conditions. It was [a] team effort and I am happy that Mary was overwhelmed and cried after watching the film,” added the actress.
Chopra spent a lot of time with the champ from Manipur to understand the nuances, stance and style of a boxer.
“To bring [Kom’s] personality on screen was the hardest part. To bring the part of a fighter, a homemaker, and a mother was a challenge,” the 32-year-old actress said.
Just don’t call it a trend.
Mary Kom is the latest in a series of Bollywood films based on sportsmen — recent award-winning ones include Paan Singh Tomar and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
Chopra sees things differently. “This is the first film on a female athlete and it is very disrespectful to say it’s a trend. Mary Kom is the pride of our nation.”
Bhansali, however, sees awards in the film’s future, Chopra’s performance to that of Hilary Swank’s Oscar-winning female boxer in Million Dollar Baby.
“Mary Kom is a very special film and no one other than Priyanka could have pulled off the role,” Bhansali told reporters.
“Priyanka is an atom bomb and power-packed talent. Her dedication, passion, and commitment toward her work is commendable. If Hollywood has Hilary Swank, we have Priyanka Chopra.”
Bhansali put her in the “same league” as Nutan and Waheeda Rehman and said the film was destined to happen.
“If a film has to happen, it will happen. For this film, we had no meetings or readings. Omung was in the lift and told me he wants to make a film on Mary Kom and I said yes then and there. So, I feel the film was meant to happen,” he said.
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