8 Films On Indian Athletes You Can Watch Ahead Of 'Six Sixes'

The Indian audience has been loving films with real-life sportspersons recently. Nearly all the movies that are made about the lives of athletes are embraced with open arms, both by the audiences and the critics. 

Following the success of biopics on cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, and Mohammad Azharuddin, a new biopic on Yuvraj Singh has been officially announced. The film, tentatively titled Six Sixes, was revealed on August 20 through the official social media handles of T-Series Films. This upcoming biopic will chronicle Yuvraj Singh's incredible journey, highlighting his transformation from a World Cup-winning cricket hero to a cancer survivor.

Relive the legend's journey from the pitch to the heart of millions—Yuvraj Singh's story of grit and glory is coming soon on the big screen! 🎬#SixSixes@yuvstrong12 @ravi0404#BhushanKumar #KrishanKumar @shivchanana @neerajkalyan_24 #200NotOutCinema @TSeries pic.twitter.com/53MsfVH476

— T-Series (@TSeries) August 20, 2024

If you are one of those who loves these kinds of biopic films and is desperately waiting for the movie to come out, you can watch some other films made about the lives of your favourite athletes.

8 Films On Indian Athletes You Can Watch Ahead Six Sixes 

1. Dangal

Dangal is a 2016 biographical sports film based on the lives of Commonwealth gold medalist wrestlers Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari. Born in Balali village of Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana, Geeta Phogat became the first wrestler to win a Gold medal in the Commonwealth Games for India in 2010 and also became the first-ever Indian female wrestler to qualify for the Olympic Summer Games.

Babita Kumari on the other hand won a Silver medal in the 2010 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, a Gold Medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and a Bronze Medal in the 2012 World Wrestling Championships. This film gives an insight into the lives of the Phogat sisters from when they started in the field of wrestling as they were kids, to how they became a name that everyone in the nation knows.

2. Mary Kom

Based on the life of 6 times world boxing champion, Mary Kom is a film that has made its place in the hearts of every Indian. Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom has won so many medals that one can't count on the fingers of the hand. She has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan, Padma VIbhushan, and Padma Shri.

The film shows Kom's love and dedication to boxing and the difficulties that she faces to achieve her dream. It also deals with the family dynamics between a father and a daughter who have completely different opinions about their dreams.

The film inspires hugely when Kom restarts boxing after giving birth to twins and does not give up on her dreams even after becoming a mother. The support that she receives from her husband is also praiseworthy.

3. Limitless

Limitless is a Netflix Documentary about 8 Indian women who find themselves and regain confidence through running. With the changing times, a lot has changed for women, and especially for women in sports. But have things changed enough to make it so easy that women can pursue the sport of their choice without being criticised for it?

This is a real story that deals with the lives of 8 ordinary female runners across India. They have been pushed to an edge, but still manage to find joys and happiness in their lives through running.

4. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, this film beautifully portrays the life of the legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh, also known as The Flying Sikh. Milkha Singh, who discovered his passion for running while serving in the Indian Army, remains the only athlete to have won gold in the 400 meters at both the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. 

He also secured gold medals in the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games and represented India in the 1956 Melbourne, 1960 Rome, and 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Milkha Singh was honoured with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to sports. The film highlights his determination and resilience in overcoming the trauma of partition to become one of India’s greatest athletes.

5. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story

This biographical drama explores the life and career of Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led India to victories in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, making him the only captain to win three different limited-overs ICC tournaments. The film offers an inside look at Dhoni's early life, struggles, and rise to fame as one of India's most successful cricket captains.

6. Paan Singh Tomar

This film, based on the real-life story of Paan Singh Tomar, recounts the journey of an Indian Army soldier who became a national steeplechase champion in the 1950s and 1960s, even representing India at the 1958 Asian Games. 

The movie delves into how Tomar, after retiring from sports, turned into a notorious bandit due to the lack of support and recognition from the system, highlighting the difficulties faced by athletes in India.

7. Azhar

Emraan Hashmi stars as the controversial former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin in this biopic. Azharuddin, who played 99 Test matches and 334 one-day internationals for India, led the team to victories in the 1990–91 and 1995 Asia Cups and took them to the semi-finals of the 1996 Cricket World Cup. 

The film explores his rapid rise to fame, the match-fixing scandal that tarnished his career, and his subsequent quest for redemption, showcasing the complex nature of his journey in cricket.

8. Saina

Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal, a former world No. 1, has an impressive record with 24 international titles, including ten Super Series victories. Parineeti Chopra portrayed her in a biographical film that chronicles Saina's journey from her early training at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad through the challenges she faced, the sacrifices made by her parents to support her ambitions, her deep passion for badminton, and culminating in her achieving the prestigious World No. 1 ranking.