6. Kabaddi has featured prominently in Indian cinema
Kabaddi has ingrained itself into the popular Indian culture and has found a place in numerous films over the years. As early as 1962, the Tamil movie Kudumba Thalaivan depicted the sport to great dramatic effect. Over the years, the Tamil film industry has included it in many of its films such as Ghilli in 2004 and Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu in 2009.
The Telugu and the Kannada industries, too, have had their share of kabaddi-based films like Okkadu in 2003 and Ajay in 2006 respectively. Bollywood also joined the bandwagon with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pardes in 1997, Hu Tu Tu in 1999, Yuva in 2004, Badlapur Boys in 2014 and Tevar, as recently as 2015.
7. India's dominance of kabaddi
India has been indomitable at all the notable international kabaddi tournaments. The Indian men’s team has grabbed all the titles in the Asian Games and the World Cup till now.
With seven World Cup titles and as many Asian Games gold medals, the Indian men's national team is at the pinnacle of the sport.
8. The women aren't far behind!
The first exclusive women’s kabaddi event in India was held in erstwhile Calcutta in 1995. However, it took 15 more years before the women's event was introduced at the Asian Games.
The Indian women matched their male counterparts in remaining unbeaten at the Asian Games, collecting the gold at Guangzhou in 2010 and at Incheon in 2014. They have also stamped their authority at the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, winning all the three global meets held since 2012.
9. Star Sports Pro Kabaddi registered record viewership in its inaugural season
The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi has contributed significantly to the sport’s current sky-high popularity. The first season of this league got instant fame and stardom and was only surpassed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of viewership in 2014. As many as 435 million people tuned in to watch this beloved indigenous sport in its all-new glitzy format.
10. Star Sports Pro Kabaddi brings the whole kabaddi world to India
The Star Sports Pro Kabaddi has not only given a lucrative opportunity to the homegrown players to shine, but it has also brought in exceptionally talented international exponents of this sport to India. The league has 26 foreigners from 13 countries participating in its third edition. Players from Pakistan, Kenya, Iran, Poland and South Korea have given this tournament a true international flavour.
Needless to say, the league has re-invented and rejuvenated the sport of kabaddi!
