Puja Tomar has faced down opponents in the UFC octagon, but now India's groundbreaking mixed martial arts fighter is imagining a different kind of spotlight—one that comes with cameras, scripts, and maybe even a Bollywood soundtrack.

In a recent interview, Tomar opened up about the possibility of her life story being adapted for film, according to the Free Press Journal. The 30-year-old fighter didn't just entertain the idea—she already has casting suggestions in mind.

"Sanya Malhotra resembles me a bit," Tomar said, referring to the actress who gained widespread recognition for her role as wrestler Babita Phogat in the 2016 blockbuster Dangal. "Friends often compare us. I think she could play my role if a film is ever made about my life."

From Bulandshahr to the Big Leagues

Tomar's path to the UFC—the world's premier mixed martial arts organization—reads like the kind of underdog story that Bollywood has long celebrated. Growing up in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, she faced the dual challenges of limited resources and cultural resistance to women in combat sports.

Her journey to becoming India's first female UFC fighter in the strawweight division required not just physical prowess but extraordinary determination. Training facilities were scarce, financial support was minimal, and societal acceptance was hard-won. Yet Tomar persevered, eventually earning her place among the world's elite fighters.

"My journey has all the elements—emotional moments, funny incidents, and empowering milestones," Tomar explained. "It's the kind of story that could connect with people, especially young girls who face similar obstacles."

The Malhotra Connection

The comparison to Sanya Malhotra isn't entirely random. Malhotra's breakout performance in Dangal showcased her ability to convincingly portray a female athlete breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport—precisely the narrative arc that defines Tomar's career.

Dangal, which told the true story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta and Babita, became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. It sparked national conversations about women in sports and inspired countless young athletes. A film about Tomar's MMA journey could potentially strike similar cultural chords.

Beyond any physical resemblance, Malhotra has demonstrated the dedication required to authentically portray combat athletes. For Dangal, she underwent months of intensive wrestling training alongside co-star Fatima Sana Shaikh. That same commitment would be essential for anyone taking on the challenge of depicting an MMA fighter's life.

Breaking Ground in the Octagon

Tomar made history in 2023 when she became the first Indian woman to compete in the UFC's strawweight division. Her debut came after years of competing in various MMA promotions across Asia, steadily building a reputation as a skilled and resilient fighter.

While her UFC record has had its ups and downs—a reality for most fighters in the world's most competitive MMA organization—Tomar's impact extends beyond win-loss statistics. She has become a symbol of possibility for Indian women in combat sports, appearing at events, speaking to aspiring athletes, and using her platform to advocate for better training infrastructure in India.

The broader context matters here. India has historically excelled in traditional wrestling and boxing but has been slower to embrace MMA. Cultural attitudes toward women in combat sports have been even more restrictive. Fighters like Tomar are changing that landscape one bout at a time.

The Biopic Blueprint

If Tomar's biopic does materialize, it would join a growing roster of Indian sports films that have found both critical and commercial success. Beyond Dangal, movies like Mary Kom (about Olympic boxer M.C. Mary Kom), Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (about sprinter Milkha Singh), and 83 (about India's 1983 Cricket World Cup victory) have demonstrated audience appetite for well-crafted athletic narratives.

What sets Tomar's potential story apart is its contemporary relevance and the relatively unfamiliar world of MMA to Indian audiences. The sport's combination of striking, grappling, and ground fighting offers visual spectacle, while the international UFC stage provides built-in dramatic stakes.

"There are so many moments from my journey that people don't know about," Tomar noted. "The struggles, the sacrifices my family made, the times I wanted to quit but didn't—all of that deserves to be told."

What Comes Next

For now, Tomar remains focused on her fighting career rather than Hollywood—or Bollywood—ambitions. She continues to train and compete while also working to develop MMA infrastructure in India, particularly for women athletes who face the same barriers she once did.

Whether or not a biopic eventually comes to fruition may depend on factors beyond Tomar's control—including continued success in the octagon, public interest, and the willingness of producers to invest in her story. But by voicing the possibility, she's already taken the first step toward ensuring her journey receives the recognition it deserves.

As for Sanya Malhotra, the actress hasn't publicly responded to Tomar's casting suggestion. But given her track record of choosing meaningful, challenging roles—and her proven ability to portray female athletes—the pairing would make considerable sense.

In an industry that has sometimes struggled to tell women's stories with authenticity and depth, a Tomar biopic could offer something genuinely fresh: a contemporary tale of an Indian woman literally fighting her way to international recognition, one punch, kick, and submission hold at a time.