Manipur Says No To The Mary Kom Biopic

Who says a movie is just a movie? Nowadays, every movie seems to raise the hackles of some group or individual or the other.

Manipur refuses to relax the 15-year ban on Hindi movies and the Hindi language imposed by the Revolutionary Peoples Front in 2000 and will not relent even for the biopic on famous Olympic medallist Mary Kom, a Manipuri.

One would expect Manipur would be proud to celebrate the success of its boxer Mary Kom, whose story is an example of how an individual, more so a woman, can overcome all odds and triumph in a male bastion such as boxing.

Where she should have been held up as an example of grit, determination and women empowerment for the whole country and more so for Manipur, her biopic is being derided for apparently what one can only call ‘ridiculously silly reasons.’

Objections have been raised on the fact that a non Manipuri acts as Mary Kom. Actor Priyanka Chopra essaying Mary Kom’s role in the biopic obviously does not have the same physical features of Mary Kom. A flat nose and the epicanthic folds over the eyelids are the defined genetic features of the real Mary Kom. How far can Priyanka duplicate them with prosthetics? Her taller and, of course, desirable figure is also being objected to.

Why not a Manipuri actor, is the question being raised. They assert there is plenty of talent and Manipuri cinema is active with several national award winners in its fold. Other reasons for the protests include the statement that the story should be more important and a star is not really needed to sell the movie.

Of course, as usual in India, everything will have a racist angle. Manipuris accuse their fellow countrymen of racism, bigotry and insensitiveness. It is high time we do away with “statism” and think as a country. The objectors perhaps have forgotten that the picture is slated for national viewing.

Producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who had always stuck to his guns despite several colossal flops at the box office and maintained that the story and artistic reality was important in his films, is being accused of a volte face in this case.

However, having enjoyed a stupendous box office success with his recent movie, he would naturally want to ensure the commercial success of his next venture. Kudos to him for undertaking a biopic of the travails and success of a woman boxer - something which the majority of Indians may not view as their cup of tea. How many of us are interested in boxing?

Entertainment is not just making a movie, it has to be marketed. You create interest through the story and if it is offbeat, rope in recognised stars to create audience interest in seeing them in a different light.

This is what Bhansali did when he signed up Priyanka Chopra - a star in her own right - a versatile and accomplished actress. Chopra, to her credit, went the extra mile to bring as much authenticity to her portrayal as possible.

Let us not forget movies are big money businesses, the producer and the director have to work to ensure its financial success and artistic acclaim.

Last but not the least, why did Manipur not make a biopic of its illustrious daughter?

Mary Kom has been, of course, striving to see if the ban can be lifted. It is hoped better sense will prevail and the authorities and political organisations will relax the Hindi movie ban at least for the Mary Kom biopic. The feisty and wonderful lady deserves better. Why not let the picture have the last word?