‘I’ll be happy if my biopic can inspire youngsters’
Heptathlete Swapna Barman, who bagged a gold at the prestigious 2018 Asian Games, talks about her dreams
Last year, heptathlete Swapna Barman made the country proud when she bagged a gold at the prestigious 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. It wasn’t easy for the 22-year-old as she had to overcome a series of odds to achieve the feat. Swapna, who is from Kolkata, comes from a humble background. While her mother works as a tea plantation worker, her father has been bed-ridden after a stroke in 2011 following which Swapna was left to fend for herself and also train to realise her dream of making it big in the international level. She also had physical hurdles to overcome. With six fingers on each feet, she had to accumulate enough money to buy extra wide shoes.
But today, the athlete’s life is set to inspire many like her as director Srijit Mukherji is planning a biopic on her. Set to go on floors in 2020, actor Sohini Sarkar will essay the role of the star athlete. In a candid chat with us, Swapna talks about hardships, her Olympic dreams, love for biryani and more. Excerpts:
What’s your reaction to the news of your biopic?
The news makes me happy. But I don’t want to talk about the film at all. My focus is on my preparation. If I can’t perform well in my forthcoming Asian Championship in April, nobody will bother to take note of me. I stay at SAI and practice daily. I practice for four-and-a-half hours during the morning. Late afternoon, I am again back to my practice grounds for two hours.
There is an apprehension that the news of a biopic might shift your focus from the sports to the glamour world. Do you believe it?
No, I don’t think so. I am not talking about the film. I am busy with my practice. It will be good if some get inspired after watching the story of my life on the big screen. I will be happy if my film can inspire youngsters.
How has life changed after you clenched the gold medal at the Asian Games?
Earlier on, when I used to run or take part in any event, not too many would take note of me. These days, whenever I go out, there are so many requests for selfies. I have seen times when people were apprehensive about having faith in my abilities. Now, they are more forthcoming. They believe that I can make India proud and bring home medals.
Is this faith only because of your win at the Asian Games?
My medal at the Asian Games changed the mindset. Before a person goes on to win something, nobody really wants to talk much about his or her talent. The medal creates the difference. Now, I find myself in a space, where people are talking about me. Earlier on too, I had won the Asian Championship. Unfortunately, there was hardly any adulation for me after I returned home following my win there.
At 22, you have achieved so much. What else do you think needs to be done for other Swapna Barmans to come up?
It is very tough to reach where I find myself now. I had sought help from so many people then. Few came forward. Many didn’t. I would want budding sports personalities to be helped.
If the prize money is increased, it will inspire many more Swapna Barmans to come up. From the kind of background that I belong to, it is important to get a job. If someone says that an Asian Games medal-winner will get a big amount of money, it will inspire many to come and play the sport. I wish aspirants from Bengal too are supported just like their counterparts in other states are. They get prize money worth crores.
You had wanted customised shoes for yourself. Has that been taken care of?
Yes. I have got a pair for 100m hurdles. I’ll have to see how it works in the forthcoming competition.
What are your dreams now made of? Do you have the great Olympics dream?
Every athlete dreams of participating in the Olympics. I don’t know if I will bring home a medal but I certainly want to see myself among the best 10 or 12. Besides, I want to build an academy where I can train youngsters. Many have helped me and I want to give my support to those who are coming up.
When you look back, what do you see as your toughest phase?
It was very difficult to overcome the multiple injuries that I have suffered in my career. I already had injuries in my hip and knee. But at the Asian Games, I had a teeth infection. My cheek was swollen. Overcoming that injury and then competing in the games is a part and parcel of a sportsman’s life.
Your father had suffered a stroke. Did that affect your games?
It was tough. But my family members didn’t want me to worry about that though I couldn’t completely avoid being tense. Whenever I called back home, Baba would say: “Puchu (my pet name), you work towards reaching your dream. Practice well. I am fine. Your mother is there to look after me…) However, what really unsettled me was the lack of faith that some seniors showed in my skill. After my injuries, I’ve heard comments like: ‘Oh, she is finished. She won’t be able to go any further’. Some had even set targets and said I wouldn’t be able to go beyond 5,400 points. Even important athletes have passed such remarks. Today, I wouldn’t want to take their names. Dealing with such negativity was very challenging. I used to feel that it is really unfair to pass such remarks without knowing my capability.
There is a buzz doing the rounds that Swapna has fallen for someone…
(Laughs) I have many friends. My coach (Subhash Sarkar) is very good. He has asked me to avoid matters of the heart as long as I am playing. He has told me not to have anyone special in my life as of now.
What do you have to say about sprint sensation Hima Das?
I am glad that she is performing so well at such a young age.
Heptathlete Swapna Barman, who bagged a gold at the prestigious 2018 Asian Games, talks about her dreams
Last year, heptathlete Swapna Barman made the country proud when she bagged a gold at the prestigious 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. It wasn’t easy for the 22-year-old as she had to overcome a series of odds to achieve the feat. Swapna, who is from Kolkata, comes from a humble background. While her mother works as a tea plantation worker, her father has been bed-ridden after a stroke in 2011 following which Swapna was left to fend for herself and also train to realise her dream of making it big in the international level. She also had physical hurdles to overcome. With six fingers on each feet, she had to accumulate enough money to buy extra wide shoes.
But today, the athlete’s life is set to inspire many like her as director Srijit Mukherji is planning a biopic on her. Set to go on floors in 2020, actor Sohini Sarkar will essay the role of the star athlete. In a candid chat with us, Swapna talks about hardships, her Olympic dreams, love for biryani and more. Excerpts:
What’s your reaction to the news of your biopic?
The news makes me happy. But I don’t want to talk about the film at all. My focus is on my preparation. If I can’t perform well in my forthcoming Asian Championship in April, nobody will bother to take note of me. I stay at SAI and practice daily. I practice for four-and-a-half hours during the morning. Late afternoon, I am again back to my practice grounds for two hours.
There is an apprehension that the news of a biopic might shift your focus from the sports to the glamour world. Do you believe it?
No, I don’t think so. I am not talking about the film. I am busy with my practice. It will be good if some get inspired after watching the story of my life on the big screen. I will be happy if my film can inspire youngsters.
How has life changed after you clenched the gold medal at the Asian Games?
Earlier on, when I used to run or take part in any event, not too many would take note of me. These days, whenever I go out, there are so many requests for selfies. I have seen times when people were apprehensive about having faith in my abilities. Now, they are more forthcoming. They believe that I can make India proud and bring home medals.
Is this faith only because of your win at the Asian Games?
My medal at the Asian Games changed the mindset. Before a person goes on to win something, nobody really wants to talk much about his or her talent. The medal creates the difference. Now, I find myself in a space, where people are talking about me. Earlier on too, I had won the Asian Championship. Unfortunately, there was hardly any adulation for me after I returned home following my win there.
At 22, you have achieved so much. What else do you think needs to be done for other Swapna Barmans to come up?
It is very tough to reach where I find myself now. I had sought help from so many people then. Few came forward. Many didn’t. I would want budding sports personalities to be helped.
If the prize money is increased, it will inspire many more Swapna Barmans to come up. From the kind of background that I belong to, it is important to get a job. If someone says that an Asian Games medal-winner will get a big amount of money, it will inspire many to come and play the sport. I wish aspirants from Bengal too are supported just like their counterparts in other states are. They get prize money worth crores.
You had wanted customised shoes for yourself. Has that been taken care of?
Yes. I have got a pair for 100m hurdles. I’ll have to see how it works in the forthcoming competition.
What are your dreams now made of? Do you have the great Olympics dream?
Every athlete dreams of participating in the Olympics. I don’t know if I will bring home a medal but I certainly want to see myself among the best 10 or 12. Besides, I want to build an academy where I can train youngsters. Many have helped me and I want to give my support to those who are coming up.
When you look back, what do you see as your toughest phase?
It was very difficult to overcome the multiple injuries that I have suffered in my career. I already had injuries in my hip and knee. But at the Asian Games, I had a teeth infection. My cheek was swollen. Overcoming that injury and then competing in the games is a part and parcel of a sportsman’s life.
Your father had suffered a stroke. Did that affect your games?
It was tough. But my family members didn’t want me to worry about that though I couldn’t completely avoid being tense. Whenever I called back home, Baba would say: “Puchu (my pet name), you work towards reaching your dream. Practice well. I am fine. Your mother is there to look after me…) However, what really unsettled me was the lack of faith that some seniors showed in my skill. After my injuries, I’ve heard comments like: ‘Oh, she is finished. She won’t be able to go any further’. Some had even set targets and said I wouldn’t be able to go beyond 5,400 points. Even important athletes have passed such remarks. Today, I wouldn’t want to take their names. Dealing with such negativity was very challenging. I used to feel that it is really unfair to pass such remarks without knowing my capability.
There is a buzz doing the rounds that Swapna has fallen for someone…
(Laughs) I have many friends. My coach (Subhash Sarkar) is very good. He has asked me to avoid matters of the heart as long as I am playing. He has told me not to have anyone special in my life as of now.
What do you have to say about sprint sensation Hima Das?
I am glad that she is performing so well at such a young age.
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