You Won't Believe Why Director Omung Kumar Decided To Make Mary Kom With Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra might be the ultimate glam diva, but when it comes to sweatimg it out for roles, no one can blame Priyanka for being a diva. We have got used to seeing her kicking some serious ass in Quantico, but much before she started her mission of global domination, she proved that she got to any extent to get here role right. The brightest specimen of her hard work is probably the film Mary Kom where she underwent intense physical transformation to portray the role of the 5 times World Boxing Champion Mary Kom. But did you know how the film got made in the first place?

Director Omung Kumar wanted to make a biopic on a strong female character and was looking for inspiration. Along with writer Saiwyn Quadras, they considered historical characters like Rani Laxmi Bai and Queen Elizabeth 1, but Omung Kumar was not too impressed.

Saiwyn then pitched the idea of Mary Kom who at that time although a 5 time world champion in boxing but was still not very known in India. Director Omung Kumar himself was not aware of her and this caused him so much shame and guilt, that he on spot decided to make a film about Mary Kom and give her the recognition she so powerfully deserved.

The first choice for the film was indeed Priyanka who denied the role initially, but then came on board and delivered a knock performance in the most literal sense of the term.