NEW DELHI, August 21 (Agencies): Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s next production will be a film based on the life of Olympic medal winner, boxer MC Mary Kom. Art director Omung Kumar who worked with Bhansali on Black and Saawariya will helm the film.
Omung approached SLB with a detailed script based on the life of the boxer after getting the required permission. Sanjay confirmed to TOI that he liked the fact that Omung had done his homework; was actually inspired by Mary`s life and was in awe of her much before she went for the Olympics, rather than it being an afterthought following her victory. Not only that, Omung had met her a year ago and had also got her to agree to the film.
Sanjay further confirmed that, “Omung brought the script to me a month before the Olympics.Mary Kom has made India proud. I was moved by her story. She is a mother of two, has been through so much struggle, has tremendous spirit and a sense of living and dignity and is now a World Champion. She has what it takes to make a great champion. An Indian woman boxer is rare. It will be an exciting film to produce and I am very happy to do it.”
He added that while he has still not met Mary Kom, he would do so on August 23 in Mumbai.
Omung`s directorial debut goes on floors at year-end or early next year. Casting is undecided and Sanjay knows that this would be the tough part for this film. The actor would need to look like her, be able to go through the grind, and have the aura of a champion. Mary Kom is a person who does not speak English well, but she speaks from her heart, and the actor needs to have this quality.
Bhansali was quite awed the way Omung had prepared the script; for he had made a detailed story on the boxer and it revolved around Kom`s life before Olympics instead of dealing with her post-win at the prestigious sports event.
Incidentally, Omung had also approached Kom a year ago to get her nod for the project and she said to have given a positive reply as well. While, Sanjay is expected to meet the boxer soon, in few days.
Talking about Kom and the project, Bhansali said in an media interview, “I was moved by her story.
She is a mother of two, has been through so much struggle, has tremendous spirit and a sense of living and dignity and is now a World Champion. She has what it takes to make a great champion.
An Indian woman boxer is rare. It will be an exciting film to produce and I am very happy to do it.”
The movie on Kom is being planned to go on floors by this year-end or early next year, sources shared.
The makers are apparently going to find it tough to hunt a look-like of Kom as well as someone who carries a powerful, winner personality.