9 Bollywood Films Based On Real Events And Persons Which Took Major Changes From The Source Material

Biopics is one of the most sought-after genres in Bollywood as the story of real-life persons triumphing against all the odds makes for an interesting watch. A number of commoners have risen to the occasion from the seas of obscurity to attain success in their desired fields be it sports, drama, politics, fashion, defence, wars, social-service etc. There are films which are based on true events and stories as well.

What makes these films appealing to the viewers is the cinematic presentation of all the events that led to that person become what he/she is today and filmmakers and writers love to explore the life of these real-life persons. But sometimes, in order to make the story appealing enough cinematically, writers and directors often take liberties from the source materials and set their stories and scripts accordingly. Here are 9 Bollywood biopics which took major liberties from the source material:

3 Idiots: While the film was based on Chetan Bhagat's novel Five Point Someone, it was also inspired by the life of Ladakhi entrepreneur and reformer Sonam Wangchuk. Aamir Khan portrayed the eccentric innovator Phunsuk Wangdu inspired by Wangchuk and the filmmakers & Wangchuk himself denied that the character was based on him. 

Padman: The film was said to be a biopic on Arunachalam Muruganantham but the makers have said that it's simply inspired by him. The film is actually based on the book The Legend of Laxmi Prasad by Twinkle Khanna. While the real-life Padman lives in Tamil Nadu, the film takes place in MP.

Chak De India: The film is often said to be a biopic on former India Hockey National Mir Ranjan Negi but the makers deny that. The character of Shah Rukh Khan is not a goalkeeper like Negi but the film's story follows exactly Negi's career as the coach of Indian Women Hockey Team. While in real life the team won Gold at the Commonwealth Games, in the film the team won the World Cup.

Gold: Akshay Kumar's upcoming sports drama is based on Indian Hockey Team's exploits at the 1948 Olympics where the country won its first ever Gold medal. Earlier, it was thought that Akshay Kumar will be playing the role of Balbir Singh in the film but now the makers say that its a completely different role. 

Mary Kom: The real Mary Kom comes from the state of Manipur but shooting at the location was highly difficult for the film as Manipur was not safe for shooting. Hence parts of Manipur were recreated in Manali and Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

Jodha Akbar: While the film explored the romantic angle between Jodha and Akbar, many historians and Rajput outfits argue that the film presented wrong facts. A lot of historians believe that Jodha was the wife of Akbar's son Jehangir and there is no mentioned of Jodha in Akbar's biography, Akbarnama. 

The Dirty Picture: The Vidya Balan starrer is a biopic in Silk Smitha but the makers denied the fact. They said the film takes into account the life of popular actresses such as Disco Shanti, Marilyn Monroe etc. and not just Smitha. 

Airlift: There was no Ranjit Katyal in real life and the story of Airlift was based on true events where a large number of Indians were evacuated by the government of India. Most of the scenes in the film are a fictionalized presentation of what happened and the External Affairs Ministry criticised the film for showcasing it in the wrong light.

Bajirao Mastani: The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial came under fire from the descendants of Peshwa Bajirao and Mastani who said that never Kashibai and Mastani danced together in a court and also the Queen never showed any skin.