MARY KOM: Conquers Adversity

Posted on August 20, 2019

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Written by

Jude Bautista

While her opponent gave a gallant effort, there were no doubts Mary Kom (Priyanka Chopra) had won every round in the country’s top proving ground for women’s boxing in India. The path going back to boxing was excruciatingly difficult a year after she gave birth. The scores were tallied and delivered to the emcee to announce the victor. Before saying a word, he glanced at the panel of judges. Among them were Sharma (Shakti Singh), Indian Boxing Federation Head, who glanced back at the emcee confirming the results he could not believe. The emcee was forced to declare the opponent the winner.

Shakti Singh (Sharma); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Mary was in complete disbelief. They couldn’t realize the sacrifices she had made as wife and mother just to even get back in the ring. She saw Sharma among the panel officials looking at her and laughing, shrugging his shoulders, mocking her. He was an official who had long criticized her even when she had carried the country’s flag to the heights of international victory. It was too much. She grabbed the nearest chair and flung it at Sharma started berating him for the whole world to see. He was grateful there were two rows of seats between them. Her team managed to stop her before she beat the life out of him.

The real Mary Kom Shows off her medals. Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

You can watch the compelling story of Indian boxing icon MARY KOM for free and many more at the very first Indian Film Festivalat the RED CARPET Cinemas in Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 23 to 25, 2019. Coined MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD, the fest is part of the grand celebration of 70 Years of India-Philippines diplomatic relations. Organized by the Embassy of India in cooperation with the FDCP Film Development Council of The Philippines and Shang Rila Plaza Mall.

Amb. Jaideep Mazundar;Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Mary & MP

Amb. Jaideep Mazundar claimed they chose MARY KOM because of her similarities with ‘your Manny Pacquiao’ as iconic boxing figures. There have been several films that have already portrayed the rise of Pacquiao from poverty: KID KULAFU, Jericho Rosales as title character in PACQUIAO THE MOVIE.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

One thing that Mary has over Manny is that she overcame far more adversity on the road to success. (As difficult as it is to believe) There were layers to the challenges that she faced as a woman, as a wife and mother, as someone from Kangapai, Manipur (Northeast region of India) and finally her poverty as well. Because of Mary’s success in the Olympics, she can also be compared to another Filipina in Hidilyn Diaz who earned an Olympic Silver medal in Weightlifting.

From left: Shang Properties VP for Finance Rajeev Garg, Shang Plaza Mall GM & EVP Lala Fojas and Indian Emb. Second Sec. for Politics & Information Nidhi Choudry.Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

While Manny was drawn to boxing out of a need to make money to buy medicine for his mother, Kom had this innate courage that manifested itself early. She was physically taking on bullies in school defending her best friend. Mary was a fighter from the beginning; it was only a matter of honing that passion, that fire from within.

She had to be mentally and emotionally strong to withstand pressures from inside her own circle, her own family as an Indian girl wanting to get into boxing.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Priyanka Chopra as Mary

The year 2000 was significant for both actress and fighter. Priyanka Chopra, earned her Miss World title, while Mary started her boxing career at the turn of the millennium. Priyanka was able to more than prove her acting mettle for this role. She shaped her body to resemble that of a fighter, learned footwork and fighting style of Kom. It all paid off in Best Actress awards from the most prestigious bodies in Indian cinema: Apsara Film Producers Guild Awards and Screen Awards.

Not surprisingly director Omung Kumar, Writers Saiwyn Quadras, Ramendra Vasisth and Karan Singh Rathore also earned National Film Awards Golden Lotus Award- Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment. It was Quadras who read Mary’s autobiography entitled UNBREAKABLE and pitched it to first time feature filmmaker Omung Kumar as his debut project.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom) and Sunil Thapa (Coach Singh); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Uniting Manipur & India

International audiences may not immediately grasp the significance of Mary’s birthplace of Kangapai, Manipur. One can see the incidence of armed violence in the film but with no clear explanation or context. So knowing about it beforehand would aid in better understanding the circumstances of Kom’s hometown and background. You’d realize why she was being discriminated against as someone from that state.

Robin Das (Tonpa); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019. (10)

The Manipur State, although an Indian territory is in a region to the northeast and is not within the Indian subcontinent. Geographically, its closer to Burma than it is to the rest of India. Back in 1947, their leader Maharajah Budhachandra decided to be part of India instead of Burma. Naturally tribes and other factions opposed to joining India organized rebel groups. They not only battle the national government for independence but also each other.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom) and Darshan Kumaar (Onler Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Catholicism

Pakistan is more connected to India, because of its border. But Manipur is even more ethnically and religiously diverse. There’s a multilayered conflict that still occurs to this day. Mary incidentally is Catholic, just like Pacquiao in his early years (he is now Christian). His mother Mommy Dionisia is still famously a devout Catholic.

There’s prejudice from both sides. Mary in the film had difficulty at first qualifying for the national team. And when she made it was bullied because teammates didn’t think she was ‘loyal’ to India. Prior to production, colleagues of the producers, director, etc didn’t think a film set in Manipur would even be seen by audiences.

Inspiring Hit

As a testament to the inspiring life of its title character, the movie was able to overcome prejudice and become a legitimate hit with fans across the country. In fact it’s considered as ‘the highest earning for an opening weekend of all time for a female led Indian film’. The achievements were not confined at home, as it was also the first Hindi film selected to open the prestigious Toronto Film Festival.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Zee Productions & Music

Zee Production was also able to make use of their talented musicians also under Zee music to enhance the storytelling. Producers were aware of the tradition set by the ROCKY theme composed by Bill Conti which has been the anthem for boxers walkout’s the world over. The music has gone beyond boxing and is used as a pump up song to inspire any crowd in almost any circumstance.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

They did one better through vocals by Vishal Dadlani in the song ZIDDI DIL meaning The Heart is Stubborn. The song deals with the passion of Kom for boxing and sticking to it in spite of many obstacles. Lyrics include: It sings its own tune, looks straight into the eyes of destiny, the heart is very stubborn.

Priyanka Chopra exhibits her versatility and talent by lending her vocals to the song: CHAORO (Lori). Its a lullaby, with a chorus (translated to English) Grow up my son grow up.

Can’t Argue Success

If there’s one quip to the movie it’s the overuse of the music video technique. Instead of lasting 3 or 5 minutes (length of the song), maybe the screen time could be cut to 1-2 minutes? Shouldn’t the pace of the movie be prioritized over playing the whole song? It can get tired after a while.

But obviously, it’s a technique that has won over audiences. There’s Mary Kom, the female boxing icon and her marginalized home state of Manipur brought to the national consciousness, 1.2 billion strong. How can anyone argue with a breakthrough success in different levels? Director Omung Kumar effectively combined the visuals of her training in the rivers and mountains of Manipur with an inspiring anthem. Sung by Vishal Dadlani and Salim Merchant is the most powerful song SALAAM INDIA (I salute you Oh My India). With the line: My Head bows down in front of you Your lap is my home I salute you oh my India!

RED CARPET Cinema

RED CARPET is the newly designed movie theaters of Shang Rila Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong. It features plush leather seating that you can push back and recline. Almost like the new Premium Economy seating in Philippine Airlines. The walls and shape of the theater also enhance the sound experience.

Just in case you arrive early and need a place to hang out, there’s a seating area outside the theater designed like a mini amphitheater. There’s a large LED screen where you can view trailers of up and coming titles. You don’t have to pay a single cent to enjoy this new area.

Comfortable Leather seats you can recline like Business class seats in Phil. Airlines at RED CARPET Cinema, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong. Photo by Jude Bautista

Also there’s a newly renovated snack bar that serves not just popcorn but hot dogs and other food items. If you’re on a tight budget you can buy pizza bread, ham tomato and cheese sandwich from Bread Talk (one level below) which has items that range from as low as P30 to P80 and bring them up to this new snack area. Or if you don’t want to go that far, get a Jamaican Beef Pattie right there (P55) eat them in this new fancy space and feel like a million bucks.

RED CARPET makes going to movies truly a relaxing and enjoyable experience. The problem is once you do experience it you may not want to watch movies anywhere else.

Mini amphitheater for moviegoers at RED CARPET Cinema, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

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Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.(25)

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Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019. (27)

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Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

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Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019.

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Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom); Watch MARY KOM and many other titles for free during the MABUHAY BOLLYWOOD film festival at the RED CARPET CINEMAS of Shang Rila Plaza Mall from August 22-25, 2019. (33)

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