There’s something about watching a good sports movie, where the underdog overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to win big at the end, that never fails to induce all emotions possible in the viewer. Paired with a rousing soundtrack, you’ve got cinematic gold right there. Kabir Khan’s 83 is a great example of this, where he retells the story of how the Indian cricket team won the World Cup in 1983 against all expectations.
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The movie features an ensemble cast, including Ranveer Singh as captain Kapil Dev, Pankaj Tripathi, Hardy Sandhu, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Saqib Saleem, and Deepika Padukone. It was one of the first big Bollywood movies to be released in movie theaters post-pandemic but is now available to be streamed online on Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar.
If you loved the movie, then you should definitely revisit some of these incredible Bollywood sports movies that are available to be streamed online…
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Bollywood Sports Movies
Chak De India (2007)
This Shah Rukh Khan starrer is a true story of underdogs, in that it features a game not many consider popular in the country and highlights the women’s team on top of that. Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) is tasked with shaping up a rag-tag team of women hockey players to create a team that could represent the country at the World Cup. The movie’s theme song has become a motivational anthem and SRK’s goosebump-inducing Sattar Minute speech is definitely worth a watch.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
Lagaan (2001)
Inarguably one of the finest Bollywood movies of all time, this one is set during British rule in India. The story follows Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) and his fellow villagers as they’re cornered into playing cricket against the Colonial rulers in order to get a reprieve from paying taxes during a drought. With a musical score by A.R.Rahman and superlative performances by the cast, the movie has gained a classic status amongst cinephiles. It was also nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Foreign Language Film, at the time of its release.
Watch it on Netflix
Dangal (2016)
At the core of it, the movie is about the relationship between a father and his daughters, or more specifically, parents living their unfulfilled dreams and aspirations through their children. The semi-autobiographical film is based on the life of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari. The story follows Phogat’s (Aamir Khan) journey in shaping his daughters (Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra) to be professional wrestlers and represent India on the world stage.
Watch it on Netflix
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
The movie is a rousing biopic of Olympian Milkha Singh, also known as the Flying Sikh. Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, the movie stars Farhan Akhtar in the role of the legendary athlete. The story follows all the obstacles Singh had to overcome to become the athlete he became, including losing his home and family during the partition.
Watch it on Disney+ Hotstar
Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
The autobiographical film tells the incredible story of the eponymous athlete who was a soldier in the Indian Army and had won a gold medal at the Indian National Games. A tragedy leads him to leave this behind for a life of crime as he becomes a feared dacoit. The film stars Irrfan Khan, Mahie Gill, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Watch it on Netflix
Toofan (2021)
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Farhan Akhtar collaborated once again for a sports film, this time based on the life of a fictional boxer called Aziz. The movie tracks his journey from an orphaned extortionist to a celebrated boxer. Along the way, he falls in love, deals with spectacular career lows, and faces communal discrimination. The film also stars Paresh Rawal and Mrunal Thakur in integral roles.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video
Iqbal (2005)
Iqbal (Shreyas Talpade) is a deaf and mute boy who wants to play cricket for the national team. When his condition prevents him from getting selected, Iqbal pursues a retired cricketer (Naseeruddin Shah) to train him. The movie won the National Award for Best Film On Other Social Issues.
Watch it on Zee5
Mary Kom (2014)
Based on the life of the eponymous five-time Women’s World Champion and Olympic medal-winning boxer, the movie stars Priyanka Chopra in the titular role. It follows the boxer as she embarks on a journey filled with roadblocks towards her dream of becoming a professional boxer.
Watch it on Netflix
Soorma (2018)
The movie starring Diljeet Dosanjh and Taapsee Pannu is based on the inspiring story of the former captain of the Indian Hockey Team Sandeep Singh. The story follows Singh’s struggles to overcome disability and make a comeback as a hockey player after an accidental gunshot leaves him paralysed.
Watch it on Netflix
