Debutant filmmaker and director Omung Kumar recently exclaimed that had he launched his film 'Mary Kom' with a lesser known star, he wouldn't have found takers for the same. His film which is a biopic on Indian Olympic Medalist Mary Kom's life, has Priyanka Chopra playing Mary onscreen.

While Omung has been criticized for picking a mainstream actress for a biopic, which the experts claim will take the attention away from the story; he states that it was essential for him to cast her.

"This is my debut film, and as a director, this film should work commercially as well. Had I cast any newcomer for this film, people would have ignored the posters", he said.

He adds that it is because of Priyanka Chopra that people are taking notice of the film. "Now people are talking about the poster and the trailer, which means people like it and it's all thanks to Priyanka. Priyanka will add commercial value to Mary Kom," he added.