From 'Sanju' to 'Soorma': Biopics aren't a sure-shot success formula, here's how

This year, around nine biopics based on sports personalities will hit the big screen. The success of films like Dangal (2016) and MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) has definitely boosted the morale of filmmakers. The biggest of actors have shown interest in either acting in or producing movies based on sportsmen. It’s a common occurrence in Bollywood to stick to a formula that seems to click at the box office. However, not all the films made on real-life sports personas have hit the jackpot. In fact, after Dangal, it’s Sanju (2018) — a biopic on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt — that minted moolah at the box office.

THE FAN FACTOR

Dangal had Aamir Khan, who, barring Thugs of Hindostan, has an impeccable record. Set in the heartland of India, the film had people rooting for the Phogat family, which is a huge name in the wrestling world. For a movie like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, apart from Sushant Singh Rajput’s performance, what worked was the sheer fact that it chronicled the life of a cricketer, who has legions of fans. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s humble beginning as a ticket collector and rise in the sports arena struck a chord with the audience, as it was relevant to the times. The film came on the heels of the many successes that the Indian team had achieved during Captain Cool’s term. As for Sanju, it was none other than master filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani helming the project with Ranbir Kapoor playing Dutt Jr. Though Sanjay’s life had largely played out in the public domain, people were curious to know his side of the story. This ensured that the audience members and Sanju’s fans turned up in large numbers to watch the movie.

THE SPORTS STORY

There’s no doubt that films based on sports personalities resonate with the junta as they are aspirational tales. These showcase the hard work and perseverance of people who often come from ordinary backgrounds to get to the top of their game. However, producers need to ensure that they put in a sizeable amount of groundwork before rolling out these projects. The ones that have banked on controversies surrounding sportsmen — like Azhar (2016) — to create a bang have ended up underperforming. Also, with many such movies being made available to film buffs at short intermissions, it just might become a trope that’s been used too often, thereby failing to ignite the viewers’ curiosity.

NEXT IN LINE

In the next two years, a slew of biopics will hit the marquee. While Ranveer Singh will be seen as Kapil Dev in ’83, Saina will star Shraddha Kapoor as the ace shuttler. Other sports personalities whose struggles will be captured on celluloid include badminton champ and coach Pullela Gopichand, boxer Dingko Singh, wrestler KD Jadhav, shooter Abhinav Bindra and para-athlete Murlikant Petkar. A movie on Mohun Bagan’s 1911 win over East Yorkshire Football Club with John Abraham headlining the cast and another one about the Indian football team that won the 1962 Asian Games, starring Ajay Devgn are also being planned. Apart from these, biopics on hockey legend Dhyan Chand, track-and-field athlete PT Usha, badminton champion PV Sindhu, Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj and para-athlete Deepa Malik are also in the pipeline.

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE NUMBERS, THOUGH

While the box-office figures of some biopics, which have released in the past, may seem higher than others, what also needs to be kept in mind is when they opened in cinemas and the budgets on which they were made. Chak De! India (2007) raked in  Rs 66 crore. However, considering the difference in time and other factors like the number of screens it was released on, it would be unfair to compare it to a release today. For movies like Soorma (2018) and Paan Singh Tomar (2012), which were made on a tight budget, their BO figures are way beyond what was expected of them. Mary Kom (2014), which was backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starred Priyanka Chopra, not only made Rs 61 crore but also won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. So, while the box-office barometer does signify a film’s standing, in the case of these landmark movies, it’s more than the moolah that matters.

(Clockwise from top left): Shah Rukh Khan in Chak De! India; Priyanka Chopra in Mary Kom; Sushant Singh Rajput in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story; Irrfan Khan in Paan Singh Tomar; Farhan Akhtar in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag; Nargis Fakhri and Emraan Hashmi in Azhar; and Diljit Dosanjh in Soorma

MONEY FACTOR

THE RS 300 CRORE CLUB

Dangal (2016): Rs 374.5 cr
Sanju (2018): Rs 334.5 cr

THE RS 100 CRORE CLUB

MS Dhoni The Untold Story (2016): Rs 19 cr
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag: (2013) Rs 109 cr
Gold (2018): Rs 102 cr

LESS THAN RS 100 CRORE

Chak De! India (2007): Rs 66 cr
Mary Kom (2014): Rs 61 cr
Soorma (2018): Rs 32 cr
Azhar (2016): Rs 30 cr
Paan Singh Tomar (2012): Rs 14 cr

*Nett gross domestic box-office figures from reliable trade sources