Dangal

Dangal, a 2016 biographical sports drama film, is a stirring cinematic experience that rewrote the norms of Indian cinema on a global spectrum. Helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, the movie stars the enigmatic Aamir Khan in the lead role, further substantiated by powerful performances from Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra, among others. The film is fashioned on the engrossing real-life account of the Phogat Family hailing from Haryana, India.

The unyielding resilience of Mahavir Singh Phogat, portrayed masterfully by Aamir Khan, is the fulcrum around which the film is steered. Mahavir Singh Phogat, once a promising wrestler himself, relinquishes his dreams due to fiscal constraints but resolves to engender his unborn son into a world champion, a journey that forms the core fabric of Dangal.

Being an ardent wrestling enthusiast, Mahavir harbors his passion for the sport and resolves to cultivate world-class wrestlers from within his family. However, life offers him a surprising twist. Instead of a son, he is blessed with four daughters, which seemingly shatters his dream of creating a wrestling legacy. Per the societal trends of the time, women were considered inferior to men in terms of physical strength and competitive spirit, casting a gloomy shadow on Mahavir’s wrestling aspirations. Sakshi Tanwar gets into the skin of Daya Kaur, Mahavir's wife, as she delivers a stellar performance effortlessly knitting the Indian traditions and emotions while enacting a mother of four girls.

However, a string of incidents unexpectedly unfolds the wrestling caliber residing within his two daughters, Geeta and Babita. The two young girls are portrayed brilliantly by Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar in their younger years, and by Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra in their teen and adult versions. Humbled and motivated by their talent, Mahavir endeavours to coach them in wrestling. With bare minimal resources and the looming judgments from the skeptical society forms the gripping narrative of Dangal.

Overcoming the societal norms and gender prejudices of the 1980s and 90s India, the biopic thoughtfully delineates the journey of the two daughters, from young rebellious girls to disciplined, dedicated athletes, who through their grit, determination, and spirit pave their way towards the international wrestling platform. The film doesn't shy away from showcasing the stringent training regimen and the stern disciplinarian approach of their father-coach, that at times borders on oppression.

The film teems with fantastic, powerful performances where sibling rivalry, love, bonding, and redemption bring in the shades of emotional drama. The wrestling scenes in the film are gripping and realistic, having been supervised by Kripa Shankar Bishnoi, an international level wrestling coach.

Aamir's spellbinding act as an aged, overweight wrestler-turned-coach, who has to break many societal norms and relentlessly crusade against deep-seated patriarchal perspectives is worth acknowledging. The actor underwent a drastic transformation, physically and emotionally to justify his role. Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra, as elder Geeta and Babita, bring a refreshing charm to their performance, making one believe in their sportswoman spirit.

"Dangal" is more than just cinema. It's a statement on female empowerment, breaking gender stereotypes in Indian society, and promoting ‘Beti Bacaho, Beti Padhao, Beti Khilao’ (Save daughters, educate daughters, let daughters play) initiative. The film excellently blends sports, emotions, and family bonding through strong direction and compelling storytelling, backed by exceptional music by Pritam.

Enriched with powerful dialogue and brilliant scenes, Dangal catapults the audience into the very heart of an inspirational family struggle that is filled with passion, love, dreams, societal pressures, and incredible accomplishments. The film serves as an exemplary tribute to the spirit of sportsmanship and hard work while paying a moving testament to true events.

Dangal proved to be a box-office success, acclaimed by critics and loved by audiences across the globe. The film won four Filmfare Awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor for Aamir Khan and Best Action Award. It is a movie that not merely entertains but also inspires, motivates and enlightens the viewer, a testament to the strength, determination, and utter grit of human spirit. Thus, Dangal is a gem of a movie that illuminates the strength of women and the power of the true grit of the human spirit, making it a must-watch for all cinema lovers. It remains one of the highest-grossing Indian films, having made an incredible impact not only in its home country but also on an international scale.