KOLKATA: The International Women's Day could no longer had been extra special for Indian archer Deepika Kumari as a documentary on her life - Ladies First - was once released for international streaming on Thursday.
The 39-minute documentary released on Netflix with subtitles in 28 languages, strains a poverty-stricken Deepika's adventure from Ratu Road in Ranchi to Rio Olympics where she lost in the pre-quarters of person phase and last-eight in the staff event.
"It was shot for over three years and travelled to all the places from Ratu Road, Tata Archery Academy to Delhi and Rio. It's a story of a fightback and believing in yourself. You should never give up," Deepika who gained the Commonwealth Games in 2010, elderly 16, informed PTI from Mumbai.
Directed through Uraaz Bahl and produced through Shaana Levy, the documentary has already gained a couple of awards together with the London Independent Film Award and was once screened at the Mallorca Film Festival in October 2017.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar have counseled the film after looking at the documentary.
Maneka Gandhi, minister of Women's Affairs and Child Development, said her ministry discussed setting up a fund to improve women athletes and their coaching.
"I never imagined that it would come up so nicely and get so many accolades. This documentary was my way of showing the audience what goes on behind the scenes in the life of a sportswoman. I hope it will reach all and inspire people," the two-time Olympian, who is a four-time World Cup Final silver medalist, said.
Recalling how archery turned into her pastime, she said: "I had no idea that archery was even a sport. I did not pick archery -- it picked me. All I remember is walking into an academy that teaches tribal sports and next thing I know, I'm being handed a bow and arrow carved out of bamboo."
"Needless to say, I failed miserably because I was weak and malnourished. The prospect of free food was too enticing to pass up, so I pleaded with the academy to let me train for three months before giving up on me."
"It was only when I discovered an inherent flair for archery that I started taking a real interest in it," she said as she had to convince her father who rode auto rickshaw in Ranchi.
Her father was once no longer supportive to start with, however she would never surrender and pleaded.
Post documentary, Deepika is interested in beginning the season on a high with Asian Games arising later this year.
"We will have all India camp at Jamshedpur from March 16. It's an important year with many important events lined up. There's World Cup and Asian Games," she concluded.
NEWS. @netflix releases #LadiesFirst documentary starring Deepika Kumari #ChangeBeginsWithHer… https://t.co/GhY6wEHDsp
— World Archery (@worldarchery) 1520502216000The 39-minute documentary released on Netflix with subtitles in 28 languages, strains a poverty-stricken Deepika's adventure from Ratu Road in Ranchi to Rio Olympics where she lost in the pre-quarters of person phase and last-eight in the staff event.
"It was shot for over three years and travelled to all the places from Ratu Road, Tata Archery Academy to Delhi and Rio. It's a story of a fightback and believing in yourself. You should never give up," Deepika who gained the Commonwealth Games in 2010, elderly 16, informed PTI from Mumbai.
Directed through Uraaz Bahl and produced through Shaana Levy, the documentary has already gained a couple of awards together with the London Independent Film Award and was once screened at the Mallorca Film Festival in October 2017.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar have counseled the film after looking at the documentary.
Maneka Gandhi, minister of Women's Affairs and Child Development, said her ministry discussed setting up a fund to improve women athletes and their coaching.
"I never imagined that it would come up so nicely and get so many accolades. This documentary was my way of showing the audience what goes on behind the scenes in the life of a sportswoman. I hope it will reach all and inspire people," the two-time Olympian, who is a four-time World Cup Final silver medalist, said.
Recalling how archery turned into her pastime, she said: "I had no idea that archery was even a sport. I did not pick archery -- it picked me. All I remember is walking into an academy that teaches tribal sports and next thing I know, I'm being handed a bow and arrow carved out of bamboo."
"Needless to say, I failed miserably because I was weak and malnourished. The prospect of free food was too enticing to pass up, so I pleaded with the academy to let me train for three months before giving up on me."
"It was only when I discovered an inherent flair for archery that I started taking a real interest in it," she said as she had to convince her father who rode auto rickshaw in Ranchi.
Her father was once no longer supportive to start with, however she would never surrender and pleaded.
Post documentary, Deepika is interested in beginning the season on a high with Asian Games arising later this year.
"We will have all India camp at Jamshedpur from March 16. It's an important year with many important events lined up. There's World Cup and Asian Games," she concluded.
Documentary 'Ladies First' traces Deepika's journey from Ranchi to Rio
![Documentary 'Ladies First' traces Deepika's journey from Ranchi to Rio]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
March 09, 2018
Rating:
