Movie review: Dangal

Rating: 5 stars

Aamir Khan has done it again. Dangal is the best film of the year. Without a shadow of doubt. This film is a thundering body slam of honest emotions and sheer hard work. Director Nitesh Tiwari’s film has a firm grip on its narrative. It never falters, it always stays steady and sure footed like a pro wrestler. But the best part of the film is its subtle nod to true gender equality. Mahavir Singh Phogat’s daughters Geeta and Babita have been depicted with the utmost respect. There’s a constant dialogue about levelling the playing field for the girl child. And then you have the wrestling bouts which look like the real deal. Dangal is perfect in every sense of the word. Rarely do movies get so good.

The story starts off with a quick recap of Mahavir Singh Phogat’s life. He’s established as a wrestler who gave up his dream but harbours a great passion and zeal to make his future son a gold medalist. After getting four daughters he gives up on his dream only to suddenly realise that his daughters Geeta and Babita have an appetite for fighting. He starts training them like they’re Haryanvi boys. He whips them into disciplined athletes laying the foundation for their stellar future achievements in the sport of wrestling. But Dangal is so much more than just the journey of two girls from rural India to international acclaim. The real soul of this story is the pride and passion with which a father empowers his daughters. He devotes his entire being to making them champions. Slowly and steadily his obsession for wrestling glory transforms into love and compassion. He remains stern and yet sensitive to his daughters’ ambitions and emotions. Even when they don’t respect him, Mahavir Singh Phogat continues to be the better man, a stellar father and the hero that Indian stories really deserve.

Director Nitesh Tiwari and his team of co-writers Piyush Gupta, Shreyas Jain and Nikhil Meharotra craft a superlative film. The first of the film is dedicated to an engaging story where the girls grow up under the tutelage of their father and coach. While the second half explores their journey into the world of international wrestling. Both halves have contrasting themes. The rustic environs of North India and the deeply patriarchal culture find a sublime satire in the first leg of Dangal. While the second half becomes a gritty tale of sport adventure and young ambition. As Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters discover their dreams and ambitions, Dangal rustles up a storm of genuine and brilliant emotions. The film’s direction and writing is so riveting that it coaxes it’s viewer to stand up and applaud.

Great editing and filmmaking technique aside, Dangal features wrestling matches that are authentic and real. Watching young actresses Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra grapple with their opponents is like watching the Commonwealth Games live. Their hard work and dedication is phenomenal. Fatima plays the elder daughter Geeta to great effect. She’s definitely a find for the future. Young Zaira Wasim who plays the young Geeta is even better. When she’s on screen, she even steals thunder from her superstar colleague. 

Talking of superstars, Aamir Khan is the strength, conviction, dedication and genius of Dangal. His performance is a lot more complex than just the striking physical transformation. His portrayal of Mahavir Singh Phogat is a masterclass in acting. That rare occasions when you can’t spot the actor in a character.

Dangal has everything that you’d ask from the perfect Hindi film. Its funny, dramatic, dark, serious, emotional all rolled into one seamless cinematic  gem. It is the movie of the year. A film that deserves a standing ovation. A story so good that it will make you feel like a proud Indian. This is a truly special film.