Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production of the Mary Kom biopic, marking its tenth anniversary, today on September 5. The film left a profound impact on the real Mary Kom. The day before the release in 2014, she spoke to Zoom and shared her thoughts.
Excerpts from the interview
When you saw yourself on screen what were your thoughts?
I broke down and cried. I remembered all the difficulties and all my struggles. It hasn’t been easy being Mary Kom. The film took me on an emotional journey. When I saw it the first time I cried uncontrollably. I broke down. I can’t forget all the pain and stress I’ve been through.
Do you think Mary Kom, the film captures your life?
Almost. Yes, it’s got my life almost right. Except for the bits showing insurgency Manipur which affects my state so deeply, the rest of the film is true to my life. It’s all true. Priyanka Chopra has done a great job of playing me. And not just Priyanka, even Darshan Kumaar who plays my husband is very very good.
Priyanka Chopra doesn’t look like you at all. Is that a problem for you?
No! I don’t think it was important for her to look like me. In many ways, Priyanka is very similar to me. It was important to feel like me. Any other girl from Manipur or North East India could look more like me. However, expressing my feelings and thoughts was more important. Also, the movie would not have been a hit if any lookalike had played my role.
Do you mean the film needed a star?
Yes! The film was made for commercial purposes and had to reach a large audience. A popular and talented actress is what the film needed.
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You said Priyanka is similar to you. In what ways?
Yes, we are similar people. We found a lot in common. We both laugh and cry a lot. We’ve both gone through our own struggles. A lot of hard work has gone into her career, just like mine. The struggle has not been easy either for me
How would you rate the film?
I don’t know(laughs). I cannot judge something so close to my life and heart. What makes me happy is that my story and whatever it may contain to inspire younger generations would now be taken far. Now the story of my struggle has gone to every corner of India.
And that makes you happy?
Very happy(laughs). I may not be known in some parts of the country. I am hopeful that after this film I’ll be known in every corner of India. I hope after seeing the film a lot of people will be inspired by my struggle. I hope they will learn some lessons from my history.
Oh yes, there is plenty to take away from your story.
That’s why I agreed to be part of a film on my life. I wanted my story to be told.
Is your husband Onler like Darshan Kumaar who plays him?
Yes, except that he (Darshan) is more handsome. But I think the movie has made a great effort to capture our real lives and succeeded. A lot of hard work has gone into the film.
Your husband has created a problem for all of us husbands. Every wife wants a husband like yours?
(giggles uncontrollably) My husband is very cool, very good very simple and humble. He has fully supported me in everything I’ve done. I’d really like more husbands to support their wives in their dreams and ambitions. I am very lucky to have a husband like Onler
Audiences everywhere are watching Mary Kom. But not in your home state.
I am really upset about this. I really want people in Manipur to see the film. But there is a ban on Hindi movies. So many people here want to see the movie. But we’re helpless. I’d really like the film to be released in my state. I am sorry it hasn’t happened so far.
Have your children seen their film?
(laughs) Yes, and they know that’s their mother’s story. One of my sons, the one with the heart problem, immediately recognised Priyanka and was checking to see how much of his mom she had captured. They were very excited. Priyanka came to Manipur. She had suddenly arrived on a day that was a very bad day for us.
Why was it a bad day?
On the day Priyanka visited us the entire family had an eye infection….all of us. We were wearing sunglasses to hide our swollen infected eyes. We couldn’t see properly. One of my sons couldn’t open his eyes on the day Priyanka came. So he never saw her until the film. Anyway, we all tried our best to enjoy her company. We took a picture with our sunglasses(laughs).
What an inspiring life you have led!
Thank you. But the struggle and the success have not changed me. I still feel the same from the inside. I never changed. Even if I wanted I wouldn’t know how to change. I’ll have to take lessons(laughs). God has not given me the power to change. Thank God for that.
Your final thoughts on the film?
That’s really my story. Except that my real struggle was far more difficult. Many of the incidents have been toned down. If they had shown my real struggle it would have been impossible for the audience to see. But my life-history has been put on screen honestly.