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If you thought stardom, catwalk and endorsing brands have changed Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom - a small town girl who put Manipur on the international-map with her prowess in the boxing ring - you are mistaken.
"The first time I walked the ramp, that too in heels, I was really nervous as I am not used to the glamour world," she tells you with a disarming smile. "The only thing running through my mind was that if I fall everyone will laugh at me and I will make a fool of myself; so I took baby steps and didn't let anyone know I was sick in the stomach. Thankfully, my maiden voyage on stilettos went off smoothly."
That's Kom for you, self-effacing and honest as she reveals the writer in her with her autobiography, Unbreakable. She stops in the middle of the conversation to remark about becoming a mother again (she was blessed with a baby boy this year), "My son travels with me, everywhere. I even tend to his diapers in between interviews and stage shows."
Kom reveals her third son, Prince Chungthanglen (she has twins Rechungvar and Khupneivar), is a calm boy and doesn't stand in the way of the many social commitments she has to keep up with. "Besides an occasional cold or cough he doesn't hassle me much. But I must add that I would not be able to do what I do if it wasn't for the unending support of my husband, Onler, who travels with me, and, of course, my mother," she smiles.
Life after stardom has not changed much for Kom, but she says that sometimes with three boys it is tough to keep up with the hectic, back-to-back programmes, promotions and campaigns. "But I can't so no to invitations, that's just me," she adds. "Though I do feel bad for Onler sometimes. For instance, today in Delhi I had to speak to the security guards as they were not behaving properly with him. Even though my husband always tells me to walk ahead, they treated him differently, which I didn't like. Onler is a very good man, he loves me and takes care of me like I was a princess," she confides.
And if you are not charmed by this, then here's what will make you fall in love with Kom for sure. "When I was an unknown boxer and we used to come to Delhi, it was my deepest desire to meet a Bollywood star, but there weren't any opportunities back then. So I had kind of given up! And you wouldn't believe that when Priyanka Chopra called me up regarding the biopic, I couldn't go because of my son's birth. Such is fate," she waxes nostalgic while adding, "I can't complain anymore as I have met more Bollywood stars than I could have ever dreamt of meeting, especially, Amitabh Bachchan - I was touched by his humility."
Kom calls Chopra a "very nice girl, a superstar with no airs." She remembers Chopra's visit to her village in Manipur very fondly. "What an honour that was for me! I taught her how to keep the grip (boxing), how to punch, among many other things. She asked me many questions and was very curious about what I eat, how I live et cetera. I think that she will make a great 'Mary Kom'. Though my fervent prayer is that this film should not get marred by any controversy and that it should get released as per schedule, minus any drama," she says.
Interestingly, Kom's book, Unbreakable, encapsulates this difficult journey, as she feels something always goes unsaid in the many interviews she gives. A book helped tell her side of the story fully - it was kind of Mary Kom uncut and uncensored. "I have faced many hurdles and hassles. It is a story of sweat, tears and grit. Success is a result of good luck and hard work, plus you have to be determined. I wrote the book hoping it will motivate youngsters….so that they get inspired to take up what their heart desires. My mom has been my rock. She tells me, 'if you are happy then I am happy'," she reveals. "She fully supported my offbeat career choice of a boxer, in a world where such things were unheard of. So I wanted to tell people through this book that if I can do it then anybody can achieve their dreams. Just go for it! We women are very strong, we just don't know it."
