AFP/Mumbai
A Bollywood filmmaker is working on a movie about boxing star and mother-of-two Mary Kom, whose bronze medal at the London Olympics cemented her status as a national hero. Sanjay Leela Bhansali said yesterday he was moved by the story of Kom, a poor farmer’s daughter from the remote northeastern state of Manipur who overcame the odds to become a five-time world champion and Olympic medallist. “Here’s a person so splendid, so inspiring, so wonderful,” Bhansali said. “Her story needs to be told to the world. It’s a wonderful story of a fighter in life.” Bhansali, who directed the 2002 hit movie Devdas, said biopics were not made frequently in Bollywood, but he was “very, very moved” when he read the script. He admitted he has not yet found an actor for the lead role. “We’ll be auditioning a lot of people for it. Let’s see,” he said. Bhansali will be producing the film, while Omung Kumar, who wrote the script, will direct, with a scheduled release date in the middle of next year. Kom, 29, told The Times of India she hoped the film would improve ties between the marginalised northeast region where she comes from and the rest of the country. Earlier this month, thousands of migrants fled from south and west Indian cities after rumours they would be attacked in retaliation for violence in Assam state, which lies in the volatile northeast. Kom had to settle for bronze at London 2012 after she was beaten by Britain’s Nicola Adams, who went on to win the gold medal. The Times of India reported that Manipur authorities had awarded her $135,000 in cash, three acres of land on which to set up a boxing academy and a promotion to the post of superintendent of police. Meanwhile, a police officer accidentally shot dead a 64-year-old man at the homecoming celebrations for Kom, officials said. Kom was greeted by large crowds in Churachandpur town in Manipur when the reception in her honour was interrupted by the gunshot. The victim was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries after the accident on Sunday, while the police constable has been arrested. “It was a freak accidental firing that led to the death of a man named Dongjapao during the celebrations,” police official A Singh said. Singh said the cultural and entertainment programme had continued after the shooting.