- Updated on January 20, 2026
Bollywood and sports captivate Indians like no other factors. So, Bollywood movies based on sports fascinate the audience like no other genres. Drawing from the deep respect the Indians have for the sports, Bollywood has presented a lot movies centered around or inspired by sports-persons. Such movies serve as humble tributes from Bollywood to those who have devoted their lives to sports and secured lots of achievements for India.
Here are some of the best sports-based movies to watch:
Top sports movies in India:
Chak De! India
- Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Sagrika Ghatge, Shilpa Shukla, Vibha Chibber
- Director: Shimit Amin
- Year of release: 2007
Chak De! India is one of the most famous sports-based movies in India.
The movie draws inspiration from two notable events: the unexpected victory of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team in the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the story of Mir Ranjan Negi, a former hockey player who faced a personal setback after conceding a crucial goal during an important match.
Chak De! India is renowned not only for its compelling storyline but also for its title song, which evokes an immediate surge of enthusiasm and patriotism.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
- Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor, Divya Dutta, Prakash Raj, Dalip Tahil
- Director: R. O. Mehta
- Year of release: 2013
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag explores the life and athletic career of Milkha Singh, an Indian sprinter.
In the post-independence era, he won numerous medals for India in various Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
This movie authentically depicts Milkha Singh’s journey, highlighting how his childhood was shaped by the violence of the 1947 partition of India. It also illustrates the obstacles he faced and overcame on his path to becoming a triumphant athlete for India.
Gold
- Cast: Akshay Kumar, Mouni Roy, Sunny Kaushal, Amit Sadh, Kunal Kapoor, Nikita Dutta
- Director: Reema Kagti
- Year of release: 2018
The movie Gold is inspired by hockey player Balbir Singh and his significant role in securing the gold medal for the men’s hockey team in 1948.
Starring Akshay Kumar in the lead role, this movie serves as a tribute to Balbir Singh’s contributions to Indian hockey.
While the filmmakers have taken some creative liberties in narrating the historical events, the film remains true to the core story. It is a must-watch for all sports fans.
83
- Cast: Ranveer Singh, Padukone, Pankaj Tripathi, Tahir Raj Bhasin
- Director: Kabir Khan
- Year of release: 2021
When discussing India’s remarkable sports figures, Kapil Dev is undoubtedly one of the names that come to mind. A towering presence in the world of cricket, his influence extends far beyond India’s borders.
In this movie, the journey of Kapil Dev to winning the 1983 World Cup is brought to life by the immensely talented Ranveer Singh. This historic victory marked the first-ever World Cup win for India and solidified his legacy as a cricketing legend.
Mukkabaaz
- Cast: Vineet Kumar Singh, Zoya Hussain, Ravi Kishan, Jimmy Shergill
- Director: Anurag Kashyap
- Year of release: 2018
Mukkabaaz is a unique Bollywood film centered around boxing.
The story follows Shravan Kumar, played by Vineet Kumar Singh, an aspiring boxer who falls in love with the niece of the head of the boxing federation. While the characters are fictional, the film accurately portrays the struggles and obstacles faced by Indian boxers.
This movie is worth watching for its engaging storyline and the impressive performances of the cast.
Sultan
- Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Amit Sadh, Randeep Hooda
- Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
- Year of release: 2016
Among the many Bollywood movies based on wrestling, Sultan stands out as one of the best.
The film stars Salman Khan in the lead role, portraying Sultan Ali Khan, a fictional Pehlwani wrestler and former world wrestling champion from Haryana. The story of the movie explores how Sultan deals with his wrestling career and personal life.
Kaun Praveen Tambe?
- Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Ashish Vidyarthi, Parambrata Chatterjee, Anjali Patil, Shekar Betkar, Aditi Patil
- Director: Jayprad Desai
- Year of release: 2022
This movie tells the inspiring story of the lesser-known yet talented Indian cricketer Pravin Tambe. Despite having an impressive track record in domestic cricket, he had limited opportunities in international cricket.
The movie weaves together a captivating narrative that goes beyond flashy achievements and impressive statistics. Shreyas Talpade delivers a heartfelt performance as Pravin Tambe.