8 Bollywood Movies that Celebrate the Spirit of Sports

Greatest Bollywood Sports Movies

Bollywood blockbusters touch all sorts of themes and genres. But sports movies are another level of epic. The story of an upcoming star or a forgotten hero fighting against all odds to defeat the bad guy and lift the cup sounds tailor-made for Bollywood. Throw in a sub-plot about the hero’s love interest and you have the perfect recipe for a masala flick.

Here are 13 Bollywood sports movies that you just should not miss:

1. Chak De India 

The touching story of the Indian Women's hockey team winning the World Cup against all odds would melt even the coldest heart. There is also the angle of a beleaguered former player, brilliantly portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan, redeeming himself as the team's coach along with the added joy of beating Australia in the final. SRK's awesome Sattar Minute speech is particularly unforgettable.

2. Lagaan

A fictional story set during the period of British rule in India, this Aamir Khan starrer is about how the people of a small village in India beat some arrogant Englishmen at  their own game; Cricket. Made on a unprecedented budget of 250 Million Rupees, Lagaan was only the third Indian movie to get nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film.

3. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is the inspiring true story of India's Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh, who came within a whisker of winning an Olympic medal. Farhan Akhtar does full justice in the lead role as the legendary athlete. Coupled with an inspiring background score, this movie will motivate you to get off your couch and work on your fitness.

4. Paan Singh Tomar

Another true story, this time about a solider in the Indian army who won a gold medal at the National Games but was forced by circumstances to turn into a dacoit. Irrfan Khan is inimitable as Paan Singh Tomar. The movie won the National Award for Best Feature Film and Irrfan Khan walked away with Best Actor.

5. Kai Po Che 

It's almost like Chetan Bhagat's books are written with Bollywood in mind and "The 3 Mistakes Of My Life" was no different. The movie has friendship and cricket; two of the best ingredients for a Bollywood flick, along with a plot about the search for the next Sachin Tendulkar. The movie did pretty well at the box office too.

6. Chamatkar 

The classics will never go out of fashion. Cricket isn't actually the main theme of this ghost comedy but the entire plot revolves around a cricket match. Though the movie was a failure, it was very popular among kids. And more than 20 years later, it still has that feel good factor working in its favour.

7. Mary Kom 

This movie is the biography of Indian Boxing Champion “Mary Kom”, whose role is played by actress Priyanka Chopra. After winning the Women’s World’s Ameature Boxing Championship, she got married and got blessed with twins. Then she made her comeback in boxing and achieved new peaks in her boxing career. She is 5-time Women's World Champion and Olympic Medal winning boxer.

8. Jannat 

This is not exactly a sports movie, but it deals with one of the biggest issues in cricket; match fixing. With Emraan Hashmi in the lead, it explores the vicious world of fixing and the movie ends with Hashmi's death. The message is plain and simple. At the end of the day, you reap what you sow.