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8 must-watch Bollywood sports movies for inspiring experience
Explore our handpicked collection of the best Bollywood sports movies. These films promise to ignite your adrenaline and keep you thoroughly engaged.
There's nothing quite like experiencing sports firsthand, but watching sports movies comes close. Films centered around the lives of sporting heroes often tell tales of grit, determination, and achievement against all odds—the full spectrum of emotions that make sports so captivating. With the perfect blend of elements, they often become box office blockbusters! Here's a curated list of the best Bollywood sports movies that every sports enthusiast should watch.
8 inspiring Bollywood sports movies you can't miss
1. Chak De! India (2007)
- IMDB Rating: 8.1 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Sagrika Ghatge, Shilpa Shukla, Vibha Chibber
- Director: Shimit Amin
- Year of release: 2007
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
Chak De! India offers a compelling storyline that warms even the coldest hearts. The film follows India's women's hockey team as they defy the odds to win the World Cup. Shah Rukh Khan's portrayal of a troubled former player turned coach adds depth to the story, ending in a satisfying victory over Australia in the final match. King Khan's memorable Sattar Minute speech further elevates the movie's appeal, making it one of the best sports movies in India.
2. Dangal (2016)
- IMDB Rating: 8.3 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Aamir Khan, Zaira Wasim, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Suhani Bhatnagar, Sakshi Tanwar, Aparshakti Khurana
- Director: Nitesh Tiwari
- Year of release: 2016
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
Dangal portrays the inspiring journey of the Phogat family, particularly focusing on Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, guided by their father, Mahavir Singh Phogat.
The film showcases Mahavir's unwavering determination to see his daughters succeed in wrestling, despite facing personal setbacks in his own career. Receiving widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics alike, Dangal stands out as one of the best sports movies Bollywood has ever made.
3. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
- IMDB Rating: 8.2 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor, Divya Dutta, Prakash Raj, Dalip Tahil,
- Director: Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra
- Year of release: 2013
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag chronicles the remarkable journey of Milkha Singh, the celebrated Indian sprinter who achieved success at the Commonwealth Games and multiple Asian Games.
Led by Farhan Akhtar in the role of Milkha Singh, the film provides an unflinching portrayal of the athlete's tumultuous upbringing amidst the backdrop of partition. Regarded as one of the finest Bollywood sports movies, the film is based on the autobiographical book The Race of My Life, co-authored by Milkha Singh and his daughter.
4. Gold (2018)
- IMDB Rating: 7.3 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Mouni Roy, Sunny Kaushal, Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor, Nikita Dutta
- Director: Reema Kagti
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: YouTube
Gold offers a fictionalized portrayal of India's inaugural national hockey team and their historic triumph at the 1948 Summer Olympics, marking the country's first gold medal in the post-independence era.
Led by Akshay Kumar in the role of the fictional character Tapan Das, the film not only captures the exhilarating journey of the team's Olympic victory but also delves into 12 years of India's history, providing context to the socio-political backdrop of the time. It stands out as one of the finest Indian sports movies.
5. Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
- IMDB Rating: 8.2 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Irrfan Khan, Mahie Gill, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Brijendra Kala, Vipin Sharma
- Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
- Year of release: 2012
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime, Netflix
Paan Singh Tomar goes beyond the typical sports movie formula by showing us the harsh reality that often follows victory. It shines a light on how national sports champions can be neglected and forced into odd jobs just to get by. Irrfan Khan's powerful performance as a former athlete turned bandit is a stark commentary on our society today. This film is a must-watch for anyone interested in sports-related movies that tackle real-life issues.
6. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
- IMDB Rating: 8 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Disha Patani, Kiara Advani, Bhumika Chawla, Anupam Kher, Kumud Mishra, Rajesh Sharma
- Director: Neeraj Pandey
- Year of release: 2016
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Disney+Hotstar
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story follows the life of the legendary Indian cricketer, M.S. Dhoni. It showcases his relentless dedication to earning a spot on the Indian cricket team and his dream of representing his nation. Sushant Singh Rajput's performance is unforgettable, making it one of the best sports movies in Hindi.
7. Apne (2007)
- IMDB Rating: 6.1 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Katrina Kaif, Divya Dutta, Kirron Kher
- Director: Anil Sharma
- Year of release: 2007
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
Apne is a timeless movie centered around a family of boxers. Dharmendra, the legendary actor, portrays the role of a former boxer falsely accused of doping. Determined to restore his reputation, he endeavors to train his two sons to win the championship. The film beautifully captures their journey of struggle, hard work, and eventual triumph. It stands as one of the best sports movies in Bollywood.
8. Lagaan (2001)
- IMDB Rating: 8.1 / 10
- Movie Star Cast: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Yashpal Sharma, Kulbhushan Kharbanda
- Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
- Year of release: 2023
- Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix
Lagaan is a groundbreaking film that not only transformed the landscape of sports movies but also showcased the global impact of Indian cinema. A great Indian sports movie, it features well-defined villains and heroes, accompanied by an epic score by A.R. Rahman. Aamir Khan leads the charge as he captains a team tasked with winning a cricket match against the oppressive British officials to secure a three-year tax exemption for their village.
There you have it - the best sports movies in Bollywood. We hope you enjoyed our selection! Now, it's time to grab a tub of popcorn, settle in, and enjoy these captivating tales of triumph, perseverance, and inspiration on the big screen.
ALSO READ: 10 Best Bollywood cricket movies of all time: Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii, Iqbaal to Lagaan
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