10 Bollywood sports movies to watch when your motivation runs dry

Movies and sports are an integral part of every Indian growing up. And when the two come together in the form of a film—whether it’s a fictional match or a biography of a sportsperson—the excitement sure is at fever pitch. The films inspire you, give you that much needed adrenaline rush, and maybe even motivate you to take up the sport. There’s thrill, finesse, and enthusiasm guaranteed. 

We list 10 terrific Bollywood sport movies

Dangal (2016)

Audiences get a glimpse of the journey of the Phogat girls—Geeta, Babita and Ritu—and the man behind it all, their father, Mahavir Phogat, on the big screen in this 2016 blockbuster starring Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra. Here was a man, an amateur wrestler, who fought against the world to raise his daughters to become wrestlers. To see the girls start as kids to become professional athletes eventually had each one of us glued to our seats. The movie was a grand success and broke all records—it wasn’t just the highest-grossing Indian film but also the highest-grossing sports film worldwide.

Chak De! India (2007)

There is no way one cannot guess how the movie will end even before it starts. But that’s what we love about films that are all about redemption. This film is raw, yet is told with immense sincerity and passion. It is one of the perfect underdog stories with a coach (played by SRK) and his team of girls who put themselves before the country. The practice sessions, dressing room conversations and the coach’s speeches, make the movie emotive and leave you yearning to be a part of it. The film has given us iconic scenes and dialogues and will motivate us to achieve the impossible. 

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)

This sports film came before any others on the list but feels as fresh as ever. An engaging storyline with a sport perfectly integrated into it, a brilliant soundtrack, and stellar performances by the actors make it the memorable movie. An inter-collegiate cycle race becomes super important for many college students as Aamir Khan (playing Sanjay) avenges his brother’s loss from archrival Shekhar. Sanjay plays a good-for-nothing chap in the beginning of the film, but heartbreak and a mission to make his school and family proud see him grow into a responsible, compassionate and considerate man—enough to get him over the finish line as the victor. 

Lagaan (2001)

This 2001 masterpiece was so much more than a cricket match. At the start of the movie, you may wonder about the direction in which the film is headed. Still, every scene, every dialogue is a build-up to that one epic confrontational scene between the protagonist and antagonist, which decides the film’s fate. Set in the British era, the movie seamlessly combines facts and fiction when a group of villagers teams up to defeat their ruler, champions of the sport, in a game of cricket, hoping to abolish taxes for the entire province for three years. The movie made us fall in love with cricket all over again. Be it the performances, AR Rahman’s music, or the events of the match itself, Lagaan was and continues to remain a film that teaches you that it isn’t over until it’s over. 

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

This movie is based on the life of Indian athlete Milkha Singh, who won twice at the Asian Games, once at Commonwealth Games and is an Olympian. With India’s Partition playing a significant role in the athlete’s making, we realise why he holds Pakistan in such great contempt. Farhan Akhtar effortlessly put himself in the shoes of the legendary Singh, making us feel we’re seeing the real-life Milkha on celluloid. 

Iqbal (2005)

Iqbal is inarguably the most underrated movie in this list. It revolves around the life of a cricket-obsessed boy named Iqbal (played by debutant Shreyas Talpade), who is deaf and mute since birth. Despite his physical disability and strict father, he does not stop or give up his dream of representing India as a bowler. His coach (played by Naseeruddin Shah) helps him inch closer to his goal. This highly inspirational movie tells us that every dream, no matter how impossible it may seem, is worth putting up a fight for.

MS Dhoni - The Untold Story (2016)

April 2, 2011, is a date every Indian will remember, thanks to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. While audiences have grown up watching the swashbuckling batsman and former Indian captain, fondly known as ‘Thala’, the film—that starred Sushant Singh Rajput—gives us much more than we’ve asked for. It shows us his humble beginnings and all that went behind the scenes into making him one of the country’s greatest sport legends. Hearing ‘Dhoni finishes off in style. India win the World Cup’ is sure to give you gooseflesh. 

Paan Singh Tomar (2012)

This biographical film on Paan Singh Tomar, a soldier turned rebel, showcases how, once a gold medalist at National Games picks weapons against the system. The film is honest and raw, and Irrfan Khan, who aced the language and mannerisms of the dacoit to perfection, couldn’t give a truer performance. The scene where he reminds a journalist that despite being a seven-time National Games winner, he remained anonymous while murder and kidnapping brought him fame strikes a chord with the audience. With drama, humour, and tragedy all packed into one, this film shows how society and sports can bring out the best and worst in an individual. 

Mary Kom (2014)

Life is not only about overcoming physical challenges but also about acing the mental ones. And who does it better than a sportsperson? The film is the biography of Indian boxing champion Mary Kom, played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. It’s a success story that starts with years of struggle and follows the journey of her sport despite being married and a mother to twins. You will be awestruck by the sheer display of power, strength, and sportsmanship the woman commands. It’ll teach you that amid setbacks, the comeback will always be remembered and is worth striving for. 

Mukkabaaz (2017)
Sometimes, nothing goes right in life and one new obstacle after another is thrown in your path. Well, that’s exactly what this film is all about. It’s a fictional story of a local boxer named Shravan Singh (Vineet Kumar Singh) who falls in love with the niece of the local politician and head of the State Boxing Federation. The film, much like the protagonist’s performance, packs a punch because it shows the sport and the people who run the show for what it is. This murkiness attracts you to the movie even more and makes you want to root for Singh to prevail and overcome every hurdle standing in his way.