Top effort from Aamir Khan

Rating: 9/10 (26 December 2016)

DANGAL
It is easy to classify Dangal as just another feel good movie – but it goes way beyond that. Much has been written about the story line which does not bear repetition; the unfulfilled dreams of a champion wrestler who feels cheated of an opportunity to seek an international Gold and glory for the country due to circumstances, who seeks to fulfill them through his offspring.
Where the Dangal experience becomes different is in the nuances and narration of the story. The reaction of a dejected Mahavir Singh Phogat (played by Aamir Khan) to the complaint by the villagers after his daughters beat up a couple of boys is one of surprise and elation – the real 'aha' moment for him when he realizes a Gold medal is a Gold medal, whether won by a girl or a boy. The natural resentment of the young girls to the harsh discipline imposed by the ambitious father is played out charmingly through the pranks and scheming of the siblings. The odds which are stacked against girls getting into a typically 'macho' sport like wrestling, starting with a conventional mother who refuses protein rich non vegetarian cooking at home to snide comments from the audience who wait to see how the girls will dress to wrestle against boys are emphasized without using high drama or decibels but with telling effect. The underplaying of the politics and harassment of women sports persons and stressing only on the inflated egos of the national coaches at the National Sports Academy keeps the focus strongly on the sport and ensures that the audiences are not distracted from the main story.
The performances of the female cast is outstanding; Sakshi Tanvar who is better known for her role in the TV serial Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki plays Mahavir's quietly supportive but strong wife adequately. The Phogat sisters played by Fatima Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra bring the right balance of emotion and natural exuberance of youth. A very special mention needs to made of the young lad who plays their young cousin Omkar (whose grown up role is played by Aparashakti Khurana) who is brought in by Mahavir as the first sparring partner for the girls when they are initiated to the sport; he is in complete awe of his Chacha Mahavir but as a rather unlikely wrestler takes a lot of spills and beating in the process of helping the girls realize their métier.
Aamir always brings something special to his home productions. As the emotional, temperamental and obsessive father and coach he walks the thin line between being a tough coach and a doting father. Without going over the top, he maintains his authority over his children with no screaming or third degree methods; however, there is never any doubt about who the boss is! Another masterpiece from him.
The real test of a biopic is the ability to sustain audience interest when you know what follows next. Director Nitesh Tiwari has kept up just the right momentum through the movie to ensure that we look forward to every stage of the movie in spite of knowing what to expect. Perhaps the contrived climax scene and the prolonged early training scenes could have been constructed better; but then this is really nit picking on an otherwise exhilarating movie. After starting the movie with the National Anthem thanks to our Supreme Court, finishing it too on screen with the anthem at the medal ceremony was a master stroke which make sure that you leave the theater on a high!