World Athletics Day, celebrated annually to promote awareness about fitness, sports, and the importance of athletics, finds a strong connection with Bollywood through its powerful portrayal of sports and athletes in films. The sports dramas shed light on the struggles, determination, and triumphs of Indian athletes. These films inspire audiences, especially youth, to embrace sports as a way of life and recognize the value of discipline, resilience, national pride, and values that align perfectly with the essence of World Athletics Day.
Top 5 Bollywood Sports Dramas
Here are the best sports dramas to binge-watch this Athletics Day.
1. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The biographical sports drama portrays the remarkable journey of Indian athlete Milkha Singh, who overcomes a harrowing childhood marked by the violence of Partition and the loss of his family to emerge as a legendary sprinter.
Struggling with poverty and deep emotional wounds, the protagonist discovers his calling in athletics while serving in the Indian Army. Milkha’s path to glory culminates in a symbolic race in Pakistan, where he faces his traumatic past and earns the iconic title ‘The Flying Sikh,’ representing his victory over adversity both on and off the track.
2. Paan Singh Tomar
Platform: Netflix
The film is based on the true story of an Indian Army soldier and national-level steeplechase champion who is forced to become a rebel and bandit. After winning several medals for the country, Paan Singh retires from the army and returns to his village in Madhya Pradesh, only to face corruption, land disputes, and police apathy.
When the system fails to deliver justice after his family is brutally attacked, the protagonist takes the law into his own hands, turning into a feared outlaw.
3. Rashmi Rocket
Platform: ZEE5
The film follows the story of Rashmi, a talented sprinter from a small town in Gujarat, who rises to national fame with her exceptional speed and determination. Just as her career is taking off, the protagonist is subjected to a controversial gender testing policy that questions her identity and bars her from competing. Refusing to back down, Rashmi fights a legal battle against the discriminatory system, challenging outdated norms and standing up for the rights of female athletes.
4. Dangal
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The sports drama is based on the true story of Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former wrestler who trains his daughters, Geeta and Babita, to become world-class wrestlers against all odds. Living in a conservative village in Haryana, Mahavir defies societal norms and gender stereotypes to coach his daughters with rigorous discipline. As Geeta and Babita grow, they face both personal and societal challenges but eventually rise through national and international wrestling championships.
The film culminates in Geeta winning India’s first gold medal in women’s wrestling at the Commonwealth Games, symbolizing empowerment, perseverance, and the breaking of gender barriers.
5. Mary Kom
Platform: Netflix
The biographical drama follows the inspiring journey of Indian boxer Mary Kom, who rises from humble beginnings in Manipur to become a world champion. Despite facing resistance from her family, especially her father, and battling societal norms, she pursues her passion for boxing with relentless determination. With the support of her coach and later her husband, she overcomes numerous challenges. The film highlights her resilience, sacrifices, and indomitable spirit.
These stories of real-life athletes and their triumphs remind us that sports are more than just physical challenges they are about perseverance, heart, and the courage to overcome obstacles.