CHENNAI: The climax of Blood Diamond is one of the most poignant ever in the history of modern English cinema. Even as Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) tries to convince Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) to leave Africa for Europe, Archer, who is hurt, wants to hear none of it. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” He cuts the call, grabs a fistful of sand and allows his blood to mix with the soil, as he prepares to die.
Rakesh Kumar, one of India’s greatest Kabaddi exponents, may not have had this particular analogy in mind, but you know what he means. “It’s a mud related sport and we Indians consider our dharti maa (Mother India) to be the most important thing to us,” he tells Express, when describing the country’s dominance in the sport. “This sport is in our blood and I want to make sure kabaddi doesn’t go the hockey way.”
Born and raised in Nizampur – the village some 100km from Delhi that has been producing kabaddi stars – Rakesh, owner of three Asiad Golds – first took to the sport when he was six. “I must’ve been around six when my elder brother introduced me to the sport. Most people play kabaddi as it doesn’t require any equipments. Even during school time we used to play.”
Nicknamed Munna because of his playing style and build, Kumar, who was picked up for a whopping `12.8 lakh (a record for the first season) by Patna Pirates in Pro Kabaddi League’s first season, says the renewed interest in the sport has won him more than a few admirers. “(The League) is like a jackpot, there’s so much money,” he smiles. “We players get recognition as well, and when walking out, be it the city or in our village, people instantly recognise us and hail us. That’s very satisfying to me personally,” he elaborates.
The 33-year-old, who was captain when India downed Iran for a seventh consecutive gold at the continental bash last year at Incheon, reveals PKL created lots of interest in the locker room. “During the Asiad, players from Korea and Iran came and enquired about PKL. They had come to know through live TV, YouTube, magazines and so on. Even the Indians living there came and told us they were proud of our performances and expressed their happiness,” he elucidates.
Operating both as raider and catcher, he moonlights as a chief ticket inspector with Railways. “Whatever I’ve achieved, it has been because of the sport. As long as I have an able body, I’ll continue to represent my country.”
But he is under no illusions. “Once I step away from the game, I need some source of income to support my family. So, the railways job gives me the chance to continue receiving a steady income,” he points out.
Archer had an unhappy ending in Blood Diamond, but Kumar has already ensured he won’t.
