Dangal: A fresh air in the era of melodramatic sportsmen biopic

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2016)

"Dangal" is the kind of movie,you would think will border on jingoism on match winning moments or the constant cribbing about sports system in India. But it's more than that. In a nutshell the story revolves around the journey of Mahavir Singh Phogat(Aamir Khan) and his wrestler daughters who want to win Gold medal for India in International Competitions.
The film started with the narration from Phogat sisters' cousin who explains the life and journey of Mahavir Singh Phogat and how he raised his daughters. Aamir Khan as the protagonist has looked confident in the character of Mahavir and got him effortlessly into the skin of the character. He carried the film on his strong shoulders. At the same time he allowed other actors to shine in their parts. But brilliant actors like Aamir Khan easily overshadow others with their élan. This movie is not only about wrestling but it's a lot more than that. It is about a father who is ready to take on the world to make his daughters something worth in the eyes of society. It is about a father who is ready to do anything for his daughters. This does not stop him from being punitive on them or giving up his job to train his daughters better. A father who is ready to lose everything so his daughters could gain.
A person who shamelessly accepted he wanted a son who could accomplish his dream of winning a gold medal for India which he could not achieve because of lack of support from his family. But he still has the courage to make his daughters wrestle in a male dominated sport in a male dominated society. He wants to make them international level wrestlers.
There is scene where Mahavir who was a national champion lost a bout to his daughter Geeta who returned on a vacation from Patiala from National Sports Academy. Those 2 minutes very well showcases the emotions of a daughter who learned new tricks of the trade wanted to prove her father that what he taught is orthodox and old, the emotions of a father who was experiencing his daughter was moving away from her and going in a wrong path in her career. Those 2 minutes of acting epitomizes Aamir Khan as actor.
There are several scenes like that which engross you throughout the movie. Coming to the acting part Aamir Khan has lead the pack effortlessly, Fatima Sana Sheikh (Geeta Phogat) and Sanya Malhotra(Babita) have acted well in their parts. Sakshi Tanwar (Mahavir's wife) was underused in the movie.She showcased her brilliance in some moment, but the screen time given to her did not do justice to her talent. Only person who could give a slight tussle in acting to Aamir was Girish Kulkarni who played the role of sly and arrogant coach Pramod Kadam. His acting is so good that you would want to hate him. The person who played the cousin of Geeta and Babita has acted well.
A common trait across the best of the movies is their simplicity which touches your heart. This film too will touch your heart and remain in your heart even after leaving the cinema halls. The development of the story is so effortless and has an undertone that it pervades the mind in no time.
Overall a really good movie with good intention and the credit should go to the director Nitesh Tiwari.