Deepthi Jeevanji makes world record in 400m T20 in the World Para Athletics Championships
Deepthi Jeevanji broke the record set by American athlete Breanna Clark in the last World Para Athletics Championship held in Paris. Breanna had a time of 55.12s.
In the WorldPara Athletics Championship, India's Deepthi Jeevanji won the gold medal with a world record in the 400-meter race of T-20. She completed the race in 55.07s in Kobe, Japan on Monday.
Deepthi Jeevanji broke the record set by American athlete Breanna Clark in the last World Para Athletics Championship held in Paris. Breanna had a time of 55.12s.
Turkey's Aysel Onder stood second with a timing of 55.19s, while Ecuador's Lizanshela Angulo stood third with a timing of 56.68s. The T20 category race is for intellectually disabled players.
Deepthi also created an Asian record
Deepthi Jeevanji had secured her place in the final by clocking 56.18s in the heat held on Sunday. Along with this, an Asian record has also been created.
Deepthi Jeevanji is an Indian para-athlete from Telangana. She was selected for the Indian team participating in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games. Deepthi won the gold medal on 24 October 2023 with a new Asian Para record and Games record.
Yogesh Kathuniya won silver in the discus of the F56 category
Yogesh Kathuniya won the silver medal in the discus throw of the F56 category with a throw of 41.80m. The F-56 category includes athletes who are not able to stand and participate in sitting events.
India marked a historic milestone
On Sunday, India marked a historic milestone Preethi Pal became the first Indian to win a medal in the women's 200m event. Competing in the T35 category, Pal clocked an impressive 30.49 seconds to secure the bronze medal. Nishad Kumar added to the tally with a silver medal in the men's T47 high jump.
India has won 4 medals so far in the World Para Athletics Championships
India has now won 4 medals in the World Para Athletics Championship. Which includes 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals. This championship will continue till May 25.
Who has scored the most goals in the 21st century? In this article, we present to you the top 13 highest-scoring footballers of the 21st century. Check where Messi and Ronaldo stand.
The 21st century has been a golden age for football, filled with breathtaking talents and goal-scoring giants. It gave us the legends whose legacy can never be matched, and moments to cherish for the longest time.
The footballers indeed took this sport to another level, shaping the modern era with passion and brilliance. Join us as we count down the highest-scoring footballers in the 21st century, celebrating their remarkable journey.
13. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (408 goals) | Netherlands
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar celebrating a winning goal in the added time for Netherlands in 2014 World Cup. Image | Facebook
Goals: 408
Matches: 738
Position: Forward
Securing the 13th position is Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar with 408 goals in 738 matches. He made his international debut in 2006 and was widely known for his lethal finishing. He reached the 2010 World Cup Final, where they ended up as runners-up.
Huntelaar won multiple Dutch Cups and Eredivisie titles for Ajax. He had a rollercoaster-like club journey, with his stints for AC Milan and Real Madrid. He later became a fan favourite for FC Schalke 04, where he was the Bundesliga's top scorer in 2011-12.
Samuel Eto'o celebrating a goal with a text on his shirt that reads "MERCI MAMAN," which translates to "Thank you Mom" in French. Image | X
Goals: 424
Matches: 872
Position: Forward
Cameroon's iconic striker and all-time leading goal-scorer, Samuel Eto'o, holds the 12th spot with 424 goals in 872 matches, after his international debut in 1997.
From winning an Olympic gold medal in 2000 to leading the Indomitable Lions to back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (2000, 2002) and winning 3 La Liga titles and 2 Champions League titles (2006, 2009) for Barcelona, he has done it all.
He then moved to Inter Milan and achieved a historic treble in 2010, winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and another Champions League under Jose Mourinho. Samuel is the only player to win back-to-back trebles with different clubs.
Breakdown of Samuel's goals:
Club Matches
Club Goals
Country Matches
Country Goals
754
368
118
56
11. David Villa (426 goals) | Spain
David Villa celebrating a goal for Spain in 2010 FIFA World Cup. Image | Mint
Goals: 426
Matches: 827
Position: Forward
The former Spanish footballer, David Villa, holds the 10th position with 426 goals in 827 matches. He made his international debut in 2005 and has been unstoppable ever since. He was a crucial part of Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph, where his 5 goals made him a joint top scorer.
Villa also found immense success in his club career, where he won numerous titles forBarcelona, including the UEFA Champions League in 2011 and 2 La Liga titles. He also won another La Liga title with Atletico Madrid.
Additionally, he holds the record of being Spain's all-time top scorer, which is unmatched even years after his retirement (in 2019).
Sergio Aguero is an impressive Argentinian footballer who made his international debut in 2006, scoring 426 goals in 786 matches.
He won the 2021 Copa America with the national team, but unfortunately missed the chance to be a part of the World Cup-winning squad of 2022.
He became an icon for Manchester City, transforming into the leading goal-scorer, who played a key part in securing their first Premier League title in 44 years in 2012.
After that famous victory, he never looked back and went on to win 6 Premier League titles, 6 League Cups, and one FA Cup. He also holds the most Premier League hat-tricks (12 times).
Neymar is the only Brazilian footballer to make it to the top 10 of this list, with 442 goals in 731 matches. After his international debut in 2010, he quickly became the face of the national team.
He is now Brazil's all-time leading scorer, surpassing legendary Pele's long-standing record.
Neymar led Brazil to win an Olympic gold medal in 2016 and won the Confederations Cup in 2013. He also did brilliantly at club level, playing for Barcelona and PSG, and later moving to Al-Hilal and Santos.
Neymar is hands down the most exciting and effective attacker of his generation, who is equally fun to watch!
Cavani celebrating a goal against Portugal in 2018 World Cup. Image | Sky Sports
Goals: 456
Matches: 865
Position: Forward
The Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, who debuted internationally in 2008, scored 456 goals in 865 matches, which earned him the deserved spot here. He played a key role in Uruguay's 2011 Copa America win.
His scoring rate and passion made him the leading goal-scorer for Paris Saint-Germain (a record later surpassed by Kylian Mbappe). During his time at PSG, he won a collection of trophies, including six Ligue 1 titles, four French Cups, and five French League Cups.
Cavani also had successful spells at Napoli, Manchester United, and Valencia.
Breakdown of Cavani's goals:
Club Matches
Club Goals
International Matches
Country Goals
729
398
136
58
7. Harry Kane (461) | England
Harry Kane celebrating a goal for England. Image | ESPN
Goals: 461
Matches: 714
Position: Forward
Breaking into the top goalscorers and finally breaking his much-discussed trophy drought is England's captain, Harry Kane, with an impressive 461 goals in 714 appearances.
After his debut in 2015, he quickly established himself due to his all-around striking ability, pinpoint passing, and other skills.
For years, Kane's individual excellence, including winning multiple Premier League Golden Boots, was paired with an absence of team silverware. This narrative finally changed in 2025, after his transfer to Bayern Munich, where he played a pivotal role in their dominant 2024-25 Bundesliga title win.
France and Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema is currently the sixth in the list of highest scoring footballers in the 21st century. One part of the famous B-B-C trio of Real Madrid, Benzema, is the second-highest goal scorer in Real Madrid's history.
Entering the Top 5 of highest scoring footballers in the 21st century is the Swedish maestro Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 558 goals in 949 matches. He was widely recognised for his boldness, acrobatic finishes and lively personality.
In his 10 years for Sweden (2006-2016), he became the top scorer with 62 goals, most likely to remain unmatched for a long time. He represented his nation in multiple World Cups and European Cups.
Moving on to his legendary individual records, he won the FIFA Puskas Award in 2013 for his phenomenal overhead kick against England. He is also the only player to score 50 Serie A goals for both Inter Milan and AC Milan.
Breakdown of Zlatan's goals:
Club Matches
Club Goals
Country Matches
Country Matches
827
496
122
62
4. Luis Suarez (574 goals) | Uruguay
Luis Suarez celebrates a goal for Uruguay. Image | BBC
Goals: 574
Matches: 972
Position: Forward
Uruguay's all-time leading goalscorer,Luis Suarez, makes his way to fourth rank with 574 goals in 972 matches. Known for his incredible skills and finishing, he was always a central figure in his nation's success since his debut in 2007.
Suarez won the 2011 Copa America and helped them reach the WTC semi-final in 2010. His club career is equally impressive. After winning the Dutch Cup with Ajax, he moved to Liverpool, becoming a Premier League top-scorer and earning a European Golden Shoe.
His prime time arrived at Barcelona, where he formed a fearsome attacking trio with Messi and Neymar. With Barcelona, he won La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey trophy, as well as the Champions League in 2015.
Lewandowski celebrating a goal for his nation. Image | The Bridge
Goals: 695 goals
Matches: 981
Position: Forward
Coming in at no. 3 is the Polish goal-machine, Robert Lewandowski, with 695 goals in 981 matches. He swiftly became his nation's all-time top scorer with the kind of positioning skills and consistency he has.
He made his international debut in 2008 and became one of the most celebrated Polish footballers of this century. He won two Bundesliga titles at Borussia Dortmund and later moved to Bayern Munich, where he cemented his status as one of the greatest strikers.
Lewandowski holds astonishing goal-scoring records, such as surpassing Gerd Muller's record for most goals in a single Bundesliga season (41 goals in 2020-21) and became the tournament's leading foreign scorer.
He also won two consecutive European Golden Shoes and 2 FIFA Best Men's Player awards.
Messi kissing the World Cup after their victory over France in 2022. Image | Mint
Goals: 886
Matches: 1108
Position: Forward
Probably the most anticipated name on the list, Argentina's golden boy, Lionel Messi, holds the 2nd position with a staggering 866 goals in 1108 matches. Having made his international debut in 2005, he had a career full of greatness, which shaped the modern era of football.
From Copa America glory to the 2022 World Cup triumph, which made the dreams of millions come true, there is not a single title left for him to fill his cabinet. He spent the majority of his career at the club level at Barcelona, becoming their all-time leading scorer.
Messi's unimaginable dribbling and scoring prowess earned him eight Ballon d'Or awards (which is the most by any player) and six European Golden Shoes. He also holds the record for most goals in a calendar year (91 in 2012).
It is really difficult to put the legacy of the greatest of all time into words and summarise in a couple of paragraphs!
Crowning the list as the highest scoring footballer in the 21st century is Portugal's indomitable Cristiano Ronaldo with 938 goals in 1281 matches. Following his debut in 2003, he was unstoppable and reached heights with his scoring talent.
He led Portugal to their first major international title (UEFA European Championship) in 2016 and followed it with the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. At club level, he won multiple titles with Manchester United, and later moved to Real Madrid, where he became the leading scorer.
Ronaldo's hunger for goals saw him achieve five Ballon d'Or awards and four European Golden Shoes.
His fitness and dedication to this game help him maintain an elite level of goal scoring in his late 30s, making him one of the greatest in the history of this sport.
If you’re a Sports fan who loves staying updated, entertained, and informed beyond just match scores, sports podcasts are the perfect solution.
In 2025, podcasts have become a go-to format for fans seeking in-depth analysis, expert opinions, player interviews, and fun banter, all while multitasking. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or relaxing, there’s a cricket podcast out there tailored to your interests. From tactical breakdowns to nostalgic reflections and everything in between, these shows cover it all.
Here's top 10 sports podcasts you should tune into for a richer, more engaging sports experience.
10 Best Sports Podcasts
10. How’s that
How’s that is an amazing sports podcast mainly focused on the cricket world and presents you with every news related to cricket in a funny way. While listening you may also find a funny side of you. A shade of you that you forgot in this life of hectic schedules and competition. Laughter is a world-famous antidote for it. Our Stress-buster comedy podcasts will leave you laughing for days and days. While listening you may also find a funny side of you. A shade of you that you forgot in this life of hectic schedules and competition.
9. Match ki Bhavishyavani
This is a sports podcast show by the host Apoorva Lahoti. The concept of the show is simple. The host tries to predict the results of the match by analysing the past performance of the team and it’s players and the condition of the ground. This podcast makes merely predictions but since they are based on analysis, many of them turn out to be true.
8. Tennis Bytes
This is a podcast about news, events and happenings from the world of tennis. New episode releases every Friday, 9 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).The podcast is hosted by former junior tennis players Aadish Sardesai and Bhushan Sardesai. They are keen observers of the sport and work towards the growth of tennis in india.
7. The Game Changers: Indian Women in Sports
This podcast contains stories, opinions, interviews, and experiences that aims to raise awareness about the disparity in an attempt to bridge the gap between genders in Indian sport. The disparity between genders in sport in India, although improving, is enormous. This podcast aims at slowly chipping away at that barrier to erase the notion that women can't play sports.
6. Kicks for Free
This is a podcast where Dhiman Sarkar and Vivek Krishnan of the Hindustan Times sports desk talk about the beautiful game. From transfers to tournaments, their discussions cover what matters in football, in India and abroad. So, join them every week on Kicks For Free, if football is a matter of life and death for you. This is a Hindustan Times production brought to you by HT Smartcast.
The World of Sport at your fingertips brought to you by Sarthak Sidharth. He is a former Professional Tennis Player, ranked in the top 50 in India and also represented Maharashtra. He is now a Sports-tech entrepreneur building solutions to develop sport in India. The podcast hosts interviews and discussions bringing curated content from international sports experts, professional athletes and people majorly involved in the sports industry.
4. Beyond The Scores
Beyond the Scores is a podcast from Khel Now where they speak to the movers and shakers and the newsmakers of sports from India and around the world. This is the place to find candid conversations and passionate debates, with your favorite athletes, coaches, and other professionals who make the sports world tick. Also available on Jio Saavn, Gaana and video versions are available on our Youtube channel Khel Now TV.
3. Sports Business Newscast
India is the fastest-growing market for sports and gaming consumption and participation and in this podcast, their motive is to provide regular news updates from the Indian market. So, if you are a sports business executive seeking to learn more about the Indian sports, gaming and entertainment market for your sport's brand awareness or creating partnerships or you are looking to engage with Indian fans, this is the newscast you should listen to.
2. The Totally Indian Football Show
With The Totally Indian Football Show, the podcast aim to bring you the stories from the playing field as your favourite players, coaches etc. vie to be crowned as champions & also conversations from across the Indian football field.
Edges & Sledges is India's favourite cricket podcast. The podcast focuses on Indian cricket and the IPL. The three hosts are hardcore cricket fans living in Singapore, London and the USA. Edges & Sledges is where they come together to talk about the week's biggest cricket stories. The podcast is created and hosted by Ashwin Garg, Dhananjaya Chak (DJ) and Varun Garg. New episodes release every week.
Indian football transfer News: India international Jithin MS to stay with NorthEast United FC till 2028
Jithin, 27, joined the Northeast United FC at the start of the 2022-23 season and turned out for the Highlanders 79 times across competitions with 14 goals and 15 assists so far.
NorthEast United FC on Friday announced that India international Jithin MS has signed a contract extension with the club, which will keep him with the club until the end of the 2028 season.
Jithin, 27, joined the club at the start of the 2022-23 season and turned out for the Highlanders 79 times across competitions with 14 goals and 15 assists so far. Jithin, who won the Santosh Trophy with Kerala (2017-18) and multiple I-League titles with Gokulam Kerala (2020-21, 2021-22), has flourished at NorthEast United FC.
Jithin’s impact reached new heights during the 133rd Durand Cup, where he was awarded the prestigious Golden Ball as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He scored four goals and provided three assists during the campaign, helping NorthEast United FC lift their first-ever major trophy.
In the 2024–25 ISL season, Jithin continued to impress with his electrifying pace and flair down the flanks. He was the only Indian player to feature in the league’s top ten for assists, finishing with five. He is sixth on the list of players with the most chances created (41 chances) and is one of the three NorthEast United FC players on the top-10 list, alongside Alaaeddine Ajaraie (52) and Buanthanglun Samte (43).
“My teammates and the coaching staff have helped me improve a lot, and their support has been instrumental in winning the Golden Ball and earning a call-up to the national team. I’m proud to have achieved these milestones with NorthEast United FC. This club has become home over the past three years, and I’m delighted to continue for another three years,” Jithin said.
“Jithin is an exceptional footballer, one of the best Indian players in his position, and what he has accomplished so far is truly commendable. His rise to becoming an India international is a testament to his relentless hard work, dedication, and hunger to grow every single day. I’m delighted that a player of Jithin’s calibre will continue with us for the next three years,” Juan Pedro Benali, head coach of NorthEast United FC, said.
“Jithin’s journey has been inspiring. His India call-up highlights the dedication and professionalism he brings to the pitch, embodying everything we strive for at NorthEast United FC. He is a key part of our journey, and we’re thrilled to have him with us for three more years,” Mandar Tamhane, CEO, NorthEast United FC, said.
Discover the all-time top scorers in ISL history, featuring Sunil Chhetri's unmatched record and other legendary players in the run. Get the full stats here.
The Indian Super League has completed 11 seasons, which have given us sensational moments to cherish in Indian football. We have witnessed some thrilling matches, and in this highly competitive tournament, players around the globe joined hands to bring the best out of this sport.
Get ready to find out the top scorers in ISL history, with Sunil Chhetri single-handedly dominating the charts with 75 goals.
1. Sunil Chhetri (75 goals)
Sunil Chhetri in action for Bengaluru FC in ISL. Image | NDTV
Goals: 75
Appearances: 183 (2015-2025)
Nationality: Indian 🇮🇳
Teams played for in ISL: Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC
The undisputed king of ISL goal scoring, Sunil Chhetri, is the top scorer with 75 goals in the tournament's history. He is the only Indian footballer in the list who is not only in the top 5, but also holds the first place.
Chhetri has consistently been one of the best performers and a multiple-time ISL Golden Boot contender. He is also the oldest player to score an ISL hat-trick, at the age of 40 years and 126 days in 2024 for his current team, Bengaluru FC.
Bartholomew Ogbeche playing for Hyderabad FC in ISL. Image | The Bridge
Goals: 65
Appearances: 98 (2018-2025)
Nationality: Nigerian 🇳🇬
Teams played for in ISL: NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City FC, Hyderabad FC.
Bartholomew Ogbeche, known for his adaptability and lethal finishing, has scored 65 goals in the ISL. He found success across multiple clubs and has been a key part of Hyderabad FC's championship-winning side.
Ogbeche won the Golden Boot in the 2021-22 season and holds the record for most hat-tricks in ISL history, scoring 4 hat-tricks in his career.
3. Roy Krishna (58 goals)
Roy Krishna playing for Odisha FC in ISL. Image | X
Goals: 58
Appearances: 116 (2020-2025)
Nationality: Fijian 🇫🇯
Teams played for in ISL: ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC
Roy Krishna made his ISL debut in 2020 and climbed to the Top 3 in a very short period of time. His contributions with goals as well as assists become a vital part of every team he plays for, especially his current club, Odisha FC.
Krishna is a constant threat in the tournament, known for his ability to score from various positions. He holds the record for most goals scored by an individual against a single club in ISL (10 goals against Jamshedpur FC).
The fiery Spanish striker, Ferran Corominas, holds the fourth place, having scored 48 goals in only 57 appearances. He showcased his immediate impact by scoring hat-tricks in his third and fourth ISL matches for FC Goa.
Coro has won the most ISL Golden Boot awards (2 times), in consecutive years (2017-18 with 18 goals and 2018-19 with 16 goals). He is one of the incredible footballers in the tournament who set the standard for foreign strikers.
5. Diego Mauricio (47 goals)
Diego Mauricio in ISL. Image | X
Goals: 47
Appearances: 92 (2020-2025)
Nationality: Brazilian 🇧🇷
Teams played for in ISL: Mumbai City FC, Odisha FC
Diego Mauricio has been a powerful striker for Odisha FC since his debut season in 2020. He scored 47 goals in his ISL career so far and made his mark brilliantly.
He won the Golden Boot in the 2022-23 season with 12 goals, also helping them qualify for the playoffs for the first time. Diego was a key player in Odisha FC's Kalinga Super Cup triumph in 2023, which is their first-ever major title.
Lallianzuala Chhangte playing for Mumbai City FC in ISL. Image | X
Goals: 45
Appearances: 163 (2017-2025)
Nationality: Indian 🇮🇳
Teams played for in ISL: Delhi Dynamos FC, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC
Lallianzuala Chhangte is the only Indian footballer, after Chhetri, to cross the 40-goal mark in ISL history. Known for his speed and dribbling skills, he scored 45 goals, spanning from 2017 to 2025.
Chhangte has consistently improved during his ISL career, playing for clubs like Mumbai City FC and achieving a swift pace in his goal-scoring technique.
7. Cleiton Silva (36 goals)
Cleiton Silva in the Indian Super League. Image | Facebook
Goals: 36
Appearances: 95 (2020-2025)
Nationality: Brazilian 🇧🇷
Teams played for in ISL: Bengaluru FC, East Bengal FC
The Brazilian forward, Cleiton Silva, is known as a reliable goal scorer and calm finisher. He has performed well for both Bengaluru FC and East Bengal FC, often keeping the limelight.
He has scored 36 goals throughout his ISL career, which places him in the 7th position here.
Marcelinho playing for FC Pune City in an ISL match. Image | Pinterest
Goals: 34 goals
Appearances: 87 (2016-2022)
Nationality: Brazilian 🇧🇷
Teams played for in ISL: Delhi Dynamos FC, FC Pune City, Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, ATK Mohun Bagan, NorthEast United. FC
Marcelinho is one of the early stars of this tournament, who played his last ISL season for NorthEast United FC in 2021-22. He scored 34 goals in his tenure and also won the Golden Boot in 2016 with Delhi Dynamos FC, scoring 10 goals in that season.
He is known for his powerful shots and ability to create scoring chances.
9. Hugo Boumous (34 goals)
Hugo Boumous representing Mumbai City FC in ISL. Image | Instagram
Goals: 34
Appearances: 122 (2017-2025)
Nationality: French 🇫🇷
Teams played for in ISL: FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, ATK Mohun Bagan, Odisha F.C.
Hugo Boumous stands out as the only midfielder in this list, having scored 34 goals in his ISL career. He has been a key player for multiple teams and is known for his creativity, scoring, and assisting.
Boumous is among the top players for all-time ISL goal contributions (goals + assists).
Teams played for in ISL: Kerala Blasters FC, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC
Jorge Pereyra Diaz is a hard-working forward who debuted for Kerala Blasters FC in 2021. He mainly contributes with goals and link-up play. He scored 31 goals in his 72 ISL appearances.
Diaz was a key figure in Mumbai City FC's League Shield triumph in 2023 and ISL Cup win in 2023-24.
Nothing beats playing a sport in person. But watching sports biopics may just be the next best thing. Here are some best Indian sports biopics no sports lover should miss.
Biopics have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many critically acclaimed and commercially successful films being made in this genre. Biopics mostly cover the entire life of the subject or focus on a specific period of time or event in their life. These films are usually based on a true story and can include real-life events, experiences, and achievements of the subject.
Nothing beats playing a sport in person. But watching sports biopics may just be the next best thing. Here are some best Indian sports biopics no sports lover should miss.
Inspired by a true story, Budhia Singh: Born to Run tells the remarkable journey of this legendary Bhubaneswar-born Budhia Singh, who made history when he ran from Bhubaneswar to Puri, a distance of 65 km, in seven hours and two minutes, that too in 50° Centigrade.
Focusing primarily on the wonder kid’s outstanding talent and not wasting much screen time on unnecessary details, the biopic is as much a story of true grit, courage, determination and tolerance, as much it is an inspiring drama about one man’s fight to spot exceptional talent in a child and make all-out efforts towards making the child a living legend.
9. Jhund
Nagraj Popatrao Manjule’s Jhund is not an outright sports biopic, even though it follows the usual beats of a good sports drama. The film is a commentary on what we as a society can do to help the have-nots identify their plus points and cross the boundary to leap onto the other, brighter side.
Amitabh’s Vijay Borade, modelled on Vijay Barse, a retired sports professor Vijay Barse, who has trained countless street kids in football and formed an NGO Slum Soccer, speaks adequately about it in a crucial part of the film, set in Nagpur’s bylanes, shot wonderfully (Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti).
8. Sand Ki Aankh
Based on the lives of India's oldest sharpshooters, sisters-in-law Chandro and Prakashi Tomar, who come from the Uttar Pradesh village of Johri, Saand Ki Aankh allows us to experience their journey as newlyweds, parents of one child after another, household workers, and people who have been purposeless for nearly six decades.
Despite how much they may dislike it, they have come to terms with the patriarchal values of the culture. The first time they hold a gun in their hands and realise they have a natural ability to hit the target is when they are in their sixties, thanks to Dr. Yashpal, an aspiring doctor who gives up his desire to open a shooting range in the village.
7. Soorma
This is an inspiring true story of the triumph of the hockey player Sandeep Singh who had a near-death experience when he was at the top of his game but overcame it thanks to his unwavering passion for the game, hard work, and sheer willpower.
Sandeep Singh, a specialist in penalty corners for the Indian hockey team from Shahbad, Haryana, made headlines when he was accidentally shot in the spine on a train while en route to join the team that would fly to Germany for the 2006 World Cup.
He sustained an injury that rendered him paralyzed, and the medical community gave him little hope of ever walking normally again. Sandeep, however, not only bounced back from it but also made a comeback and reclaimed his title as the best drag-flicker. In January 2009, he was appointed captain of the Indian national hockey team.
6. Azhar
The movie is based on the true story of Indian cricket player Mohd Azharuddin. The screenplay and direction of Azhar left a lot to be desired, but the one reason to watch this movie is Emraan Hashmi’s performance. He got Mohd Azharuddin’s body language and mannerisms bang on.
The highlight was the slight bobble of the head and the standing stance that were perfectly reminiscent of Azhar. While the film and its politics were not all pitch perfect, the lead man’s efforts did make this movie worth a watch.
Dangal tells the story of the legendary Phogat family of wrestlers, particularly Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari and their patriarch Mahavir Singh Phogat.
With gritty realism, the story illustrates how amateur wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, portrayed by Aamir Khan, after being forced to give up the sport, lived his dream through his daughters who went on to become Commonwealth Games gold medallists.
Winning a score of awards both in India and abroad, the movie was widely lauded by critics. Dangal is perhaps one of the finest sports movies in India.
4. Mary Kom
Priyanka Chopra pulls off a fantastic performance in the eponymous movie from 2014, based on the life of legendary Indian boxer MC Mary Kom. Portraying her journey as a pugilist as well as her balancing of family and career, the Mary Kom movie was widely praised and recorded the highest-ever opening weekend for a female-led Indian film.
Undergoing rigorous physical training, Priyanka Chopra went to every length to pin down Mary Kom’s style of boxing to where even seasoned boxing enthusiasts will be hard-pressed to pick out any flaws in her depiction of the action.
Even though the film was released in 2014, the story only goes up to her 2008 World Boxing Championships victory. Due to the contractual reasons specifying that the movie only depicts her life until 2008, it left out her 2012 London Olympics bronze medal win.
3. 83
The film 83 tells the tale of one of India's most famous occasions. The nation was still adjusting to life on the international stage when it won the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Although India had been free from colonial rule for 36 years, respect still needed to be earned.
Under Kapil Dev's leadership, the team that was chosen to represent India in the World Cup in England was more excited about the opportunity to take a paid vacation than about the possibility of winning the tournament.
The underdogs, who arrived in England without proper transportation, who was denied entry to Lords (the cricket stadium) because it was assumed they would not make it to the final, who were surviving on meager daily wages, who were fighting their own people, and who believed they were worthless, went on to prove to the world that if you believe it, nothing in this world is impossible.
2.MS Dhoni: The Untold Story
The true tale of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian Cricket team's world-champion captain who went from being a ticket collector in Indian Railways to collecting trophies.
"MS Dhoni: The Untold Story" is a biographical film that follows the life of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a renowned Indian cricketer, from his childhood in Ranchi, India, to his rise as one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team.
The film explores Dhoni's early struggles as a budding cricketer, his determination to succeed, and his rise to fame through a combination of hard work and natural talent. The film also highlights some of Dhoni's most significant accomplishments, including his successful captaincy during the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Run Milkha Run) is based on the life of Commonwealth Games and multiple Asian Games medal-winning Indian sprinter Milkha Singh.
Starring Farhan Akhtar as Milkha Singh, the film pulls no punches, as it goes back to Milkha Singh’s early days during partition and charts his upbringing and strife en route to becoming one of India’s most cherished athletes.
One of the finest Indian sports biopics, it's based on the book The Race of My Life, written by Milkha Singh and his daughter. While selling the film rights, Milkha Singh charged a mere rupee, on the condition that a share of the profits goes to the Milkha Singh Charitable Trust benefiting needy sportspersons.
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