We Indians are fond of all things bright and extravagant, then may it be in terms of our festivals or food or celebrations or for that matter movies. Cinema has been the one binding force that possesses the power to unite nations through the guise of entertainment. It holds the string to weave stories and urge emotions and stir in us the latent passion we all possess for sports. Over the past decade, Indian cinema has shrugged off its cape of focusing on cricket and donned that of other, lesser-known sports. The driving force in the cinema of the past decade when it came to sports-centric movies has largely been athlete-driven with biographies and historically relevant sporting achievements being the order of the last ten years.

The Indian Film Industry, better known as Bollywood occupies probably the second spot in the list of most loved things by us Hindustanis. If ever it receives any competition, it is only by another one of the favorites, sports. While cricket is lives in every Indian’s heart, most them have their heart, body and soul dedicated to this game, there are also other games like hockey, tennis, football which an average Indian takes interest in. What happens when these two favorite meet together? Fireworks! Here’s a list of few of the best sports films in India which have enthralled and entertained audiences and made them hoot like crazy or cry with cry with sheer pleasure.

#10 – Mary Kom (2014)

IMDb – 6.8

The film follows the inspiring journey of Mangte Chungeijang as she struggles through the pressure of belonging to the marginalised Manipur state. When Priyanka Chopra donned the gloves to play the role of 6-time World Champion and 2012 London Summer Olympics bronze medalist, Mary Kom, the response was overwhelming. The film follows the inspiring journey of Mangte Chungeijang as she struggles through the pressure of belonging to the marginalised Manipur state. Her struggles are wonderfully portrayed by Chopra and even earned her a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Kom’s story is powerful and emotionally poignant, making it an easy winner for the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

#9 – Iqbal (2005)

IMDb – 8.1

Iqbal is a 2005 Indian coming-of-age sports drama film written and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. Produced by Subhash Ghai, under “Mukta Searchlight Films”, the story follows a cricket-obsessed deaf and mute boy from a remote Indian village as he aims to overcomes difficulties to become a cricketer and fulfill his dream of playing for the Indian national cricket team. The film received the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. The film was screened retrospective on 18 August 2016 at the Independence Day Film Festival jointly presented by the Indian Directorate of Film Festivals and Ministry of Defense, commemorating 70th Indian Independence Day.

#8 – Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007)

IMDb – 5

Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, this movie released in 2007 and had a star cast of John Abraham, Bipasha Basu and Arshad Warsi. The story was more on patriotic lines, it was about this football club in England which every other British rival club disliked. In spite of in numerous prejudices and other things working against them, this club still managed to win the match as well as hearts of people.

#7 – Lagaan – Once Upon a Time in India (2001)

IMDb – 8.1

This movie which released in 2001 and was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker with Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh as protagonists captured the hearts of one and all. This film is about a drought ridden village which has been suppressed under the burden of land tax for a long time, when one lad comes to the forefront and asks for the waiver of the same. He challenges the British to a game of Cricket which incidentally none of his villagers including him, know how to play. For many this movie brought back memories of the freedom struggle and its underlying plots were received with much acclamation and applaud from all.

#6 – Mukkabbaaz (2017)

IMDb – 8

The film chronicles the story of a boxer, who falls in love with a Brahmin girl. The film then sets out on the journey of the underdog who fights the corrupt system, deep-rooted casteism and societal pressure for his boxing dreams and love. The film chronicles the story of a boxer, who falls in love with a Brahmin girl. Things take a turn when he lands a punch to the head of the boxing federation and politician-gangster, Bhagwan Das.

#5 – Dangal (2016)

IMDb – 8.4

The story of Dangal focusses on the life of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who goes on to break social stigmas to train his girls, more famously, the Phogat sisters for the Commonwealth Games. The Aamir Khan blockbuster film sets a new bar for sports-centered movies in the country owing to the power-packed performance by Khan assisted by a supremely dedicated ensemble cast. The story of Dangal focusses on the life of Mahavir Singh Phogat, who goes on to break social stigmas to train his girls, more famously, the Phogat sisters for the Commonwealth Games. The film discusses important social issues whilst using the backdrop of sports and the politics and stigmas attached to it. Once again, Dangal is a movie that inspires with its sheer power of performance and will inevitably make you feel patriotic by the end of it.

#4 – Paan Singh Tomar (2010)

IMDb – 8.2

Dhulia’s movie was a sleeper hit which also had Nawauddin Siddiqui playing a key role as a police informer. Made on a shoestring budget, Paan Singh Tomar saw Irrfan Khan playing the biographical role of the Army man who won the steeplechase event seven times in a row at the Indian National Games. Gifted in athletics but tormented by circumstances, Tomar resorts to being a dacoit and murdering people for the sake of revenge. Opening to critical acclaim, Dhulia’s movie was a sleeper hit which also had Nawauddin Siddiqui playing a key role as a police informer.

#3 – M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

IMDb – 7.9

Through a series of obstacles that befell the highly successful Indian captain’s way, both in his own life and in his cricketing career, make for a true tale of grit and passion that continues to inspire us with every watch. Arguably the ‘coolest’ Captain that the Indian cricket team could have been gifted with, the story of M. S. Dhoni is magnetically powerful. Through a series of obstacles that befell the highly successful Indian captain’s way, both in his own life and in his cricketing career, make for a true tale of grit and passion that continues to inspire us with every watch. Sushant Singh Rajput does a commendable job in portraying the role of the Ranchi lad nursing the dilemma of being a Train Ticket Examiner for his father’s sake or chasing the big dreams of letting his talent unfurl. Gripping and emotional, M. S. Dhoni instills in us the desire to dream and to chase them too.

#2 – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

IMDb – 8.2

While the initial part of the movie is set in the backdrop of the Indian Partition, it soon takes off to follow the tracks of Singh as he goes to become a legend of Indian athletics. Power-packed performances, a dramatic plot and the perfect lightning pace – all of this stitch together the biographical film on Milkha Singh. Opening to an uproarious response, the Farhan Akhtar-spearheaded film showcases the journey of Milkha Singh from being just another ordinary army recruit to being the ‘Flying Sikh’ at the Olympics. While the initial part of the movie is set in the backdrop of the Indian Partition, it soon takes off to follow the tracks of Singh as he goes to become a legend of Indian athletics.

#1 – Chak De! India (2007)

IMDb – 8.2

Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De India’ is undoubtedly one of the best sports film in Bollywood. The film which released in 2007 went on to become the biggest blockbuster of the year, directed by Shimit Amin. The time this movie was released was when India as country could barely remember the fact that it used to be the top hockey-team, which was its national sport. This story is about a tainted former hockey player who becomes the coach of the national women’s hockey team. Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) related to the team a lot because they are treated with the same disrespect, indifference and ignorance as him. The story of their victory not only made every Indian fall in love with hockey again but also brought back the feeling of Indian-ness amongst all. The 70 minute speech of Shah Rukh Khan before the world championship game is still drawn inspiration from.