Football fever has taken over the world right now. The FIFA World Cup has fans everywhere on the edge of their seats, cheering loudly for their favourite teams. If you love the game and want to keep that thrill alive even when you step away from the matches, Indian cinema has a rich treasure waiting for you. From Hindi and Bengali to Tamil and Malayalam, filmmakers across languages have captured the spirit of the sport on screen. Here is a look at 8 such films worth watching.
Inspiring Stories Pulled From Real Life
Amitabh Bachchan's ‘Jhund’ (2022) highlights the power of football to transform lives. The story draws from the real life of Vijay Barse and centres on a retired sports teacher who channels the restless energy of poor children living in slums towards football. Through the game, he changes the very direction of their lives.
Ajay Devgn's ‘Maidaan’ is built around the life of legendary Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim. It brings to life the golden era of Indian football between 1952 and 1962, a time when the team scripted a historic victory at the Asian Games.
Malayalam cinema's ‘Captain’ (2018) is meant for those drawn to the history of the game. The film is a biopic of VP Sathyan, who captained the Indian football team.
Tales Of Struggle, Identity And Grit
John Abraham's ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal’, released in 2007, still holds a special place among football lovers. It tells the story of a football club made up of players of Asian origin settled in Southall, Britain, who fight for their identity while battling racism and heavy financial hardship.
In Thalapathy Vijay's blockbuster ‘Bigil’, a former footballer named ‘Michael’ becomes the coach of a women's football team. He teaches them not just the finer points of the game, but also the courage to fight the challenges thrown up by society and their personal lives.
When Football Became A Symbol Of Freedom And Pride
The Bengali film ‘Egaro’ also deserves a spot on every football fan's watchlist. It depicts how Mohun Bagan defeated the British East Yorkshire Regiment in 1911 to win the IFA Shield.
Carrying forward this blend of patriotism and sport are ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’ (2010) and Dev Adhikari's Bengali film ‘Golondaaj’ (2021). Both are must-watches for football enthusiasts.
Through the life of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari, ‘Golondaaj’ shows how, during British rule, football was no longer just a game. It had become a powerful symbol of the nation's self-respect and its struggle for freedom.
Amid all the World Cup excitement, these eight films offer a generous dose of sporting thrill along with emotion, struggle and patriotism.
