Best Sports Movies of Bollywood

In India, only two are discussed more than anything else these are - Movies and Sports especially Cricket. Even if our national game is called Hockey, but we have always been attracted to cricket, which as become synonyms for Sports in India. Bollywood produces over three hundred films a year. Most of these are action or romantic films that star many big banner heroes and heroines. And while sport is the only other big thing in India, there are not many movies that have sports based themes. 

Right now, we are producing like 2-3 sports movies in year. Seeing the condition of Sports, apart from Cricket and they we performed at London Olympics. Bollywood can motivate next gen of India through realistic sports movies. Bollywood can be the most inspiring element of Indian society and going by this fact, the movie makers should dish out more and more meaningful movies on sports as history has it records that sports and Bollywood is a great combination and is certain to influence the Indian folks.

Check out this list of some awesome Sports movies from Bollywood :-

Ferrari ki Sawaari

Ferrari Ki Sawari is a simple rise-of-the-underdog story of a talented boy who dreams of making it big in the world of cricket. What makes the narrative interesting is its less-taken route (through a Ferrari) and the ensuing eventful journey. The slick sports car gives that additional momentum to the movie thereby ensuring a roller-coaster ride.

Cricket is the most common sport, Ferrari is the most uncommon car and together they make for a lethal combo in debutante Rajesh Mapuskar's film. The sport is something that everyone can relate to and the sports car is something that every other person dreams of. At a broader level, the Ferrari also stands as a metaphor for that larger-than-life aspiration of any individual that might seem unachievable at the outset but isn't entirely impossible.

Chak De 

Starring the reigning king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, this film is acknowledged to be one of the best films on Sports movies. Chak De! India explores many issues like attitudes towards women, religious bigotry, the after effects of Partition, and the dominance of cricket over other sports in India, with a sensitivity that is particularly heart warming. The title song of the movie “Chak De India” seemed to have become the second national anthem for India, with the song being played on almost every occasion the Indian players register a win in the International arena. The songs picked at India's maiden T20 World Cup win year 2007, with India celebrating world cup triumph after 24 years.

The story of this movie is about a former hockey player Kabir Khan (played by Superstar Shahrukh Khan) who was demonised as a traitor when India lost a hockey match against Pakistan due to Kabir’s mistake. He later comes back and assumes the position of the coach of the national women hockey team. The women team was neglected always despite having a talented bunch of players. Kabir after assuming the post tries to bring discipline in the team. His efforts to uplift the team’s performance works as the team finally wins gold medal at the commonwealth games.

Iqbal

Iqbal, a movie that released in 2005, the story of undying faith and commitment of a young man , who is challenged by his senses, is a treat to watch. Iqbal , a village boy who is deaf and dumb , aspires to get selected to the Indian cricket team and his industrious efforts and never -say -die attitude makes him live his dream.was the endearing and gritty story of an eighteen year old deaf and mute boy who dreams of playing cricket for his country. The film had Shreyas Talpade playing the protagonist, while Naseeruddin Shah played local drunkard Mohit, who, as Iqbal’s coach and helped the realisation of the boy’s dreams.

After getting rejected by a famous cricket academy, Iqbal seeks the help of Mohit (Nasseruddin Shah) who was once a great cricketer. Mohit trains Iqbal and Iqbal gets a chance to play for a weak Ranji team. The team finally manages to win the Ranji Trophy riding on the magnificent bowling of Iqbal. Iqbal overcomes all the hurdles and gets selected for the national team.

Lagaan

A classic Bollywood movie which will always be remembered as one of the best movies made in India. It was a huge hit in 2001 when it was released. It was also in the race for an OSCAR award in the ‘Best movie in Foreign Language’ category. Directed by Ashutosh Gowriker , the movie is considered by many to be the best Indian sport based movie made ever. It is the story of resilience and perseverance of British ruled rural India. The movie showed how a group of villager agrees to play a match of cricket with the British rulers to save their village from the exorbitant taxes imposed on them. The uneducated group emerges victorious despite not having any knowledge of the game.

The villagers had no knowledge of the game cricket but were helped by the sister of a powerful British officer. She decided to help as she was impressed by Bhuvan’s courage to take on the British in their own game. The match was a nail biting affair and the match went down to the wire. The villagers won the match at the end when Bhuvan hit the last ball for a six.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander

This story of love, revenge, hard work, determination and self belief is built around a popular cycle race event in the town of Dehradun. Winning this annual event is a matter of pride for the colleges of Dehradun. Aamir Khan (in the lead role) is forced to participate in the race representing the Modern college when his elder brother, a potential winner of the race, gets injured due to the evil intentions of his opponents. Another stellar performance from Aamir Khan came in the year 1992, in the movie Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander. The movie was directed by Mansoor Khan and was a huge box office success.

Aamir, a carefree youngster, rises up to the occasion and practices hard to win the race for his college and most importantly for his brother. On the day of race, his opponent from an elite college called Rajput College tries every trick to strike Aamir off the race but thanks to sheer determination, Aamir wins the race at the end. The movie was a huge success and people still remember the movie for its brilliant story, performances of the actors and great sound tracks.

List of other Sports movies from Bollywood :- 

Awaal Number , Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, Rok Sako To Rok Lo, Patiala House, Dil Bole Hadiappa, Paan Singh Tomar,  Hip Hip Hurray ,  Boxer , All Rounder , Kabhi Ajnabee The ,  Maalamaal  , Stumped , Awwal Number , Chamatkar , Chain Kulii ki Main Kulii , Hattrick , Say Salaam India , Ta Ra Rum Pum , Apne .

Hockey Raises Hope After Good Fight Against NetherLands

Hockey Raises Hope After Good Fight Against NetherLands

Back in the Olympics after a hiatus of eight years, past masters of the game India produced a valiant fightback in the second-half before losing 2-3 to world number three The Netherlands in their opening Group B match of the men's hockey competition on Monday. India, returning to the Olympics after a gap of eight years, started off the match with a fast attack, but the Netherlands came close to scoring on the counter before Birendra Lakra effected a fine clearance.

On Monday, eight time winners India gave tough fight to much higher ranked Netherlands before going down 2-3 in their opening London Olympic Games pool B men's hockey competition here. The Netherlands, the World No.3, opened up a 2-0 lead within the first half hour mark, but the Indians rallied back remarkably during a four-minute blitz after half time to draw parity at the riverbank arena. However, the European powerhouse struck the winner from a penalty corner midway into the second session to log full points.

Indians, ranked tenth in the world played well, particularly in the midfield, but their forwards were often found lacking, as they made a mess of a number of golden opportunities. But the defence looked solid, with V Raghunath cutting out some beautiful Dutch moves. Indian skipper Bharat Chettri also shone under the bar making some brilliant saves.

The Indian players' nerves were on display in their opening match, where all but two of their players were making the maiden appearance in Olympic Games. India's fightback began in the 45th minute when Tushar Khandekar's cross from the left flank struck the far post and rebounded into the circle. An opportunist Dharamvir Singh capitalised on the chance by beating goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann with a firm shot.

Three minutes later India were level at 2-2 when Gurwinder Chandi picked up a short pass from Gurbaz Singh inside the circle and dribbled past a defender before pushing the ball towards Shivendra Singh, who tapped in for India's second goal. Penalty corner specialist Mink van der Weerden reclaimed the lead for The Netherlands when he sent in a drag flick just under the cross-bar.

Hockey, in which India has an impressive record with eight Olympic gold medals, is officially the national sport. The Golden Era of hockey in India was the period from 1928 - 1956 when India won 6 consecutive gold medals in the Olympics. During the Golden Era, India played 24 Olympic matches, won all 24, scored 178 goals (at an average of 7.43 goals per match) and conceded only 7 goals. The two other gold medals for India came in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1980 Moscow Olympics. 

Hockey alone has provided 11 metals (8 gold, 1 silver and two bronze medals). Apart from the three in shooting, the Indians have got two each in athletics and wrestling and one apiece from weightlifting, tennis and boxing.

We all know what happened in Chile in 2008. India was playing the qualifiers and was unable to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. It was the first time since 1928 that Indian men were not representing our National Game at the mega event. Since then there have been a lot of changes that have happened in Indian hockey.

Four years later India has got the chance to undo what happened to them in Chile. In the last three decades, Indian hockey has lost the connection that it once had and people now have more reasons to criticize the most loved game than to like it and without fail they are doing it.

London Olympics provides good opportunity to regain the fans back the national pride - Hockey ! With good fight in first match  against Netherlands, we can expect better show in coming matches !

Michelle Frangilli does a 10 to win gold !

Lord's witnessed a fantastic game of archery on Saturday, the wind swirling round the historic Lord's stadium and 4,000 fans holding their breath, the Italian rock took the pressure on his broad shoulders, let the seconds tick down, when Michele Frangilli released the last arrow left his bow there was a hush, a whirr, a thud, a roar in spectators. The arrow went 70 metres down to hit the edge 10 point circle. The moment was stuck at Lord’s with gold win celebration. This golden shot gave Italy gold medal in archer. 

Michelle Frangilli does a 10 to win gold !

 Nerves are an unwelcome companion in any sport but, in archery, where a steady hand is so paramount, they are especially deadly. But Michelle Frangilli won over his nerves made most commendable thing to make a 10 when pressure so high and stakes were so high.

A dream came true, hearts were broken, a dynasty crumbled - all on the fickle flights of arrows on Saturday. Michele Frangilli's final shot earned Italy the Olympic archery team gold medal at Lord's Cricket Ground, denying the United States in the cruellest of fashions at the climax of a pulsating men's final. The Americans, led by world number one Brady Ellison, had the gold within their grasp as Frangilli stepped to the line needing a perfect 10 to win.

London Olympics Few Hour Away - Clocks Ticking Faster !

London Olympics Few Hour Away - Clocks Ticking Faster !

Have you ever wondered how the Olympics started? In Olympia, Greece the Olympic Games were held every four years. First Olympic game was recorded in 776 BC; that was about 3,000 years ago. At that time this great festival took place to honor the Greek gods. Olympics were held during the great festival. The Olympics were called Olympiad in Greece. 

London is all set to dazzle the world with a grand opening ceremony to launch the greatest show on earth featuring over 10,000 athletes over the next fortnight, a spectacle that has seen the cost escalating to £9.3 billion ($14.5 billion).

Eighty-one athletes in London will form the largest Indian contingent ever to march at the Olympic Games. But if numbers could turn into Olympic success, a country of 1.2 billion should have grabbed at least 1000 qualifications and maybe 100 medals. If not that, then what’s the reason for India hoping to come home with a medals kitty heavier than ever before? 

Sixteen years ago in Atlanta, which was 16 years after India’s last Olympic medal and 44 years after the last individual medal, Leander Paes changed India’s ‘participation-matters’ outlook. An athlete has to soak in the pride, the honour to represent the country before he could mount the podium with the five rings and the national anthem sends a tear rolling down the cheek. That’s how Leander won that bronze and made every Indian believe: “It’s not beyond us.” 

Armed with a new-found self-belief, India's top athletes will seek to script a fresh chapter in the country's Olympic history as they go into the 30th edition of the sporting extravaganza from tomorrow with a realistic chance of winning medals.

Never before has an Indian contingent raised so much expectations and London could just be the launching pad for a new sporting era.

Five moments that will make Olympic history at the London Games:-

 

USAIN BOLT - If Bolt can overcome in-form fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake, he will become the first man to achieve the 100m and 200m Olympic sprint double twice.

MICHAEL PHELPS - Needing only two medals to equal the record of 18 held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, Phelps will have plenty of chances.

BRAZIL FOOTBALL TEAM - Despite being the most successful team in World Cup history with five titles, Brazil have never won Olympic gold. 

OSCAR PISTORIUS - South Africa's "blade runner" is set to be the first double amputee athlete to compete at the Olympics after being selected for the 4x400m relay.

SAUDI WOMEN - For the first time in Olympic history, every country represented at the Games will include female athletes after Saudi Arabia agreed to send two women to compete.

One of the most telling images in the past 30 years of sports television was the moment at the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games when Muhammad Ali, shaking from the growing effects of Parkinson’s disease, courageously lifted the torch and sent a flame up to the Olympic cauldron.

Viewers from world wide are awaiting the most comprehensive coverage of an Olympic Games ever. Settle back and enjoy it !

Yellow Jersey to Yellow metal ! Now Bradley is ready for Olympics

Bradley Ready for Olympics

Bradley Wiggins has become the first British rider to win the Tour de France in the race's 109 year history. Prime Minister David Cameron congratulated him shortly after the finish in Paris on Sunday.

The British rider is now hoping for London 2012 glory in the men's road race and the individual time trial. Bradley Wiggins became the first British rider to win the Tour de France as compatriot Mark Cavendish claimed a fourth consecutive final-stage victory. Wiggins, 32, finished in the chasing peloton in Sunday's final stage around the streets of Paris with a winning margin of three minutes and 21 seconds. Evans, who made history by becoming Australia's first champion in 2011, finished nearly 16 minutes behind Wiggins, although he did suffer with stomach problems during the final week.

 But even that may not eclipse the feats of Wiggins, whose procession on the Tour de France has set new standards for the cycling boom, and captured the public’s imagination like few athletes before him. 

Wiggins also has power to add gold in London. He will be part of the road-race squad attempting to propel Mark Cavendish to the Olympic title on Saturday. In the time trial four days’ later, Wiggins will try to win his fourth Olympic gold, and seventh medal in total.

After making history in Paris, Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins is heading home to London hoping to add an Olympic gold medal to go with his yellow jersey. The first Briton to win cycling's event will start the Olympic time trial August 1 as a big favourite for the gold. 

  

After donning his winner's yellow jersey on the Champs-Elysees, Wiggins immediately turned his focus to Olympic race in just over a week. He even promised to forgo the Tour winner's traditional glass of champagne.

Indian Contingent for London Olympics - Wrestling

Indian Contingent for London Olympics - Wrestling

The Bronze glory at Beijing, Bronze medallist Sushil Kumar and his long-time friend and fellow grappler Yogeshwar Dutt are ready for London Games. They carry Indian expectations in wrestling. They have enough experience to make the London Olympics a memorable event. A bronze in the Beijing Games four years ago came as a surprise but now Sushil is ready for the gold at the London Olympic Games and bring some glory to wrestling arena in India.

Traditionally Indian wrestling isn't just a sport - it's an ancient subculture where wrestlers live and train together and it dates as back as Middle Ages, traces of which have been found in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Wrestlers used to belong to gyms called akharas, where wrestlers live under strict rules. Wrestlers' diets consist of milk, almonds, ghee, eggs and chapattis. The sport is on the decline, but there are still many akharas left and some dedicated people who are working to keep this ancient part of Indian culture alive.

As the nation prepares to head to London for the 30th edition of the Olympics, India will hope to add to the tally of the two bronze medals the sport has won for the country so far. Sushil Kumar ended India's 56-year wait for a wrestling medal at the last Olympics in Beijing. India's first-ever medal in wrestling came through the legendary KD Jadhav, way back in the 1952 Helsinki Games. After 2008, the sport of wrestling has progressed by leaps and bounds. The high-points definitely being the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Hosts India had set themselves a target of 100 medals from the CWG and was lent a big hand by the wrestlers.

Sushil was the lone medallist in the previous Olympics in wrestling, will look to improve upon his performance, while his long-time friend, Yogeshwar, would like to forget his debacle of last Olympic outing and put up an improved performance on the big stage. Yogeshwar would not want to settle for anything less than gold in London after he missed a sure shot medal in the dying moments of his quarterfinal bout in Beijing.

With a total of five wrestlers to represent India at the Olympics this year, the country is hoping nothing less than a couple of Gold from its athletes and pair of Sushil and Yogeshwar Dutt are key-players in wrestling.  Yashvir, who has closely witnessed Sushil and Yogeshwar’s ascent to the higher echelons of the sport, said the wrestlers have gained a lot of experience since their first Olympics in Athens in 2004 and are focused to make the quadrennial event this time around. Other hopefuls are - Amit Kumar, Narsingh Yadav and Geeta Kumari.

Hoping to see Indian Wrestlers bringing some glory for India and the wrestling game and set an example for future generation to cheer and play wrestling

Federer sets his sight on Olympics

Federer sets his sight on Olympics

Roger Federer has come up with full vengeance this summer at Wimbledon along with London Olympics to seek gold in both tournaments. Having won Wimbledon, now he sets his sight on London Olympics with almost impeccable Swiss timing, Roger Federer has a last chance to fill the remaining spot in his bulging trophy cabinet on the court that witnessed the blooming of a tennis genius. Roger loves Wimbledon which will also host the Olympic tennis tournament in a few weeks and at 30, and with a record 17 grand slam titles to his name, Federer knows time is running short. 

Now, it is a trivalry, with emergence of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who have been dominant in last two seasons of Slams. The recent domination of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has left Federer waiting for a 17th major since he won the Australian Open in 2010. Federer is fast losing his touch while he is nearing 31, so he has to fight it out against Nadal and Djokovic. It was foolish to discount him from this year's grass court grand slam, a title he has won six times, which he won for seventh time. But his best chance of glory on the lawns of south-west London might come a few weeks later at the Olympics. From the moment he surprisingly lost to James Blake in the quarter-finals of the Beijing singles four years ago, Federer has been eyeing his shot at gold in London on Aug. 5. 

But while the 17-time Grand Slam winner watches from the wings as Djokovic and Nadal contest the big prizes. But returning to No. 1 in grand fashion with Wimbledon win was absolutely like the old Roger Federer. Not only does he have to deal with Nadal, now he’s got Djokovic and there’s still Murray and maybe Del Potro in line-up. Let's not forget the extraordinary run of 32 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, a record that surely will never be broken. And of course the Olympics is a substantial and realistic goal later in the summer. 

Some believe that tennis does not need the Olympics. However, Nadal's joy at winning in Beijing proved how much the title meant to him and should Federer crown his career this year it could become one of the iconic images of the London Games. Federer clearly believes Olympic recognition is good for tennis.  Federer has twice carried the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony and it would be a surprise if that were not to happen again. After all, he is Switzerland's greatest sportsman and, each summer in London, he has become almost royalty.

Indian Contingent for London Olympics - Badminton

Indian Contingent for London Olympics - Badminton

With little over two weeks left for the Olympics to start, let’s have a look at India Contingent for the Games. Let’s start from most hopeful – Badminton. The two-decade old quest for an elusive Olympic medal in badminton may end in London for Indian shuttlers. India will be fielding a formidable outfit comprising five shuttlers, with an eye on clinching three medals. Incidentally, this will be the biggest Indian badminton contingent after the sport gained entry into the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992, with Saina leading the way. 

Saina Nehwal is a top contender for a medal finish at London. Saina Nehwal has undoubtedly raised the bar for Indian shuttlers. World No.5 and extremely popular, she is looked upon as a strong medal prospect at the London Olympics. She may or may not like to be under such rising expectations, but it has been inspiring her peers to give their best and even win a medal in the mega event.

The women's doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, who claimed bronze at the World Championships, and the mixed team of Valiyaveetil Diju and Jwala are also among the favourites to finish on the podium. Jwala-Ashwini complement each other quite well on the court. If Jwala controls the game and finds gaps in the rival court with immaculate accuracy, Ashwini is the workhorse who not only retrieves well but can also stuns rivals with power-packed smashes. The elegant Ponnappa from Bangalore possesses one of the most powerful smashes in the world. A hard-working shuttler, who does a lot of court coverage, plays behind Jwala. Whether it is with Ashwini Ponnappa in women's doubles or Valiyaveetil Diju in mixed, Jwala has always succeeded in exploiting rivals' weakness with her creative approach.

In Diju, India have a world-class doubles player. The tall Kerala shuttler possesses an attacking return and picks a lot of points by attacking from the net. Asian girls always find him a major threat. Valiyaveetil Diju is currently among the most feared doubles players in the world. His returns on the first serve are deadly. Diju and Jwala were the runners-up at the Indian Open at Hyderabad in 2009. The duo also reached the final in World Super Series Masters final in Malaysia the same year. Riding on these performances, the duo had reached the career-best ranking of world number six in August 2010.

The same cannot be said about men's singles shuttler Parupalli Kashyap. But if the lanky lad can reproduce the game he displayed at the Indonesia Open, he can do wonders. Parupalli Kashyap will represent India in the London Olympics in men's singles badminton event while Jwala Gutta's participation in both women's doubles and mixed doubles. This will be the first time that any of the Indian badminton doubles pairing will get a direct entry in the history of Olympics. As for Jwala, she became the first Indian to qualify for two badminton events - mixed and women's doubles - in the Olympics.

India's badminton coach Pullela Gopichand is hoping for more than one medal from his wards at the London Olympics. Gopi says that apart from Saina, the two doubles pairs Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponappa and Jwala-V Diju also have an outside chance of winning a medal. Gopi feels that Saina would be targeted by the Chinese since she won the last two tournaments.