Writer/Director: Nitesh Tiwari
Starring: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar and Fatima Sana Shaik
‘A Spectacular Sports Classic’
When it comes to the most inspiring wrestlers in Indian history, it’s worth discussing Mahavir Singh. A world-famous Indian wrestler, Singh was a famous athlete that changed the world of Indian sports forever. Through his bold dedication, Singh became a legendary athlete making his dreams come true. However, Mahavir couldn’t achieve his goal of winning the medal for his country. Disappointed by the fact that he didn’t win a medal in wrestling, Singh was driven to train his daughters to achieve victory. Adopting a dedicated attitude, Singh trained his daughters to attain victories in the ring. Like a bright light shining in pitch-black darkness, wrestling was a sport that always contributed towards his happiness. Despite facing rocky adversities, Singh never lost sight of his goals of accomplishing wrestling victories in the ring. An inspiring legend in India, Mahavir’s meaningful story has become a tale that’s often told in the country. With its powerful themes of dedication, courage and family, it’s a story that demands to be told on the big-screen.
In 2016, Aamir Khan did an extraordinary job of bringing the true story of the world-famous wrestler to the big-screen in his film “Dangal”. A breathtaking wrestling biopic, Nitesh Tiwari’s movie did an excellent job of honouring a true story of a wrestler. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a superb performance from Aamir Khan, who embodies the personality of a father training his daughters to achieve victories in the ring. Unlike most Bollywood movies which are targeted towards a local Indian audience, it tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a universal message about power of determination which would resonate with everyone. An inspiring Indian masterpiece about wrestling, there are several strong reasons why “Dangal” is a film worth watching.
Based on a true story, “Dangal” follows the life of an Indian wrestling family. Aamir Khan plays Mahavir Singh, a world-famous Indian wrestler with dreams of success. Mahavir is extremely disappointed when he doesn’t win the medal for his country in which he has competed. To cope with his loss, Mahavir decides to train his daughters to become world-famous wrestlers. Adopting a strict attitude, Mahavir decides to train his daughters become wrestlers that are valued. However, Mahavir’s dreams of success for his daughters are threatened by sports trainers. Struggling to gain control of his daughters, Mahavir questions if it’s any longer possible for them to become renowned wrestlers. Facing a dilemma, Mahavir struggles to determine whether it’s possible for him to achieve dreams of success in the world of wrestling in India.
Nitesh Tiwari is a newcomer towards stories of Indian wrestlers. Before he directed “Dangal”, Tiwari had never made a movie about world-famous wrestlers before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the struggles of Indian wrestlers but he succeeded. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Through strong cinematography, Tiwari captures the journey of a wrestler to train his daughters to achieve victories. Tiwari effectively uses montages to capture the lives of wrestlers seeking victories. For instance, montages elevate the wrestling scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mahavir trains his daughters to turn into wrestlers achieving victories through following a regimented routine. One admires montages capturing hardships that Indian wrestlers have to go through. Through montages, Tiwari captures the strong bonds between a wrestler and daughters seeking to make dreams come true. Montages are complicated techniques to use in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested, montages enhance movies about friendships. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through awe-inspiring visuals, Tiwart captures strong relationships between a pair of sisters seeking success in wrestling.
Another admirable aspect of “Dangal” is the production-design. From a technical point-of-view, the film is extremely well-made. Tiwari effectively uses real-life locations in Indian villages to capture the life of a wrestler. For instance, distinct locations of real-life villages elevate the wrestling competition scene. During this strong scene, Mahavir and his daughters participate in a wrestling competition taking place in their impoverished Indian village. Through theses real-life locations, Tiwari captures wrestling matches which are engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Pritam’s score is integral to the success of the movie. It captures the intense atmosphere of wrestlers engaging in matches with a heavy burden to bear. Through inspiring production-design, Tiwari demonstrates Indian wrestlers facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Dangal” is a classic sports film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively utilizes voice-over narration to capture the struggles of Indian wrestlers engaging in a competition. Nitesh Tiwari’s screenwriting strength is ability to capture the lives of wrestlers seeking success through voice-over narration. In Bollywood, most Indian movies rarely address the hardships faced by wrestlers. Wrestlers are often depicted as invincible heroes without any problems at all. Thankfully, though, “Dangal” avoids these pitfalls. Tiwari effectively utilizes voice-over narration to capture the hardships of wrestlers facing tension. For instance, voice-over narration elevates the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mahavir’s past life is recounted through narration. Through strong voice-over narration, Tiwari creates a powerful wrestler character which audiences can easily relate to. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in films. As Advait Chaudan’s “Laal Singh Chadda” suggested, narration is suited to literary adaptations. Nevertheless, it works immensely int his movie. Through a bold screenplay, Tiwari celebrates Indian wrestlers today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his greatest career performances as Mahavir Singh. Khan gained appreciation for playing strong cricket players in historical dramas. With “Dangal”, however, he took upon his most challenging role. It isn’t easy to embody the life of a real wrestler seeking success but he pulled it off successfully. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and bravery of a wrestler seeking to train his daughters to achieve victories in the ring. It’s a role which gave Khan a chance to showcase his natural charisma as an actor. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors working in India today.
The supporting cast is extraordinary and also worthy of praise. Fatima Shaikh is spectacular, capturing the strong drive of a daughter that is determined to become a world-famous Indian wrestler. Sanya Malhotra is fantastic, bringing charisma to a young girl that faces a dilemma when she’s not chosen to participate in sports competitions in India. Lastly, Girish Kulkarni is worthy of recognition. As a wrestling coach, he brings intensity to the movie.
Finally, “Dangal” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing a wrestling family facing struggle. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the film tackles encompassing themes that everyone would relate to. The movie discusses universal themes including identity, determination and family which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of wrestling to appreciate the movie. It delivers a strong message which would resonate with everyone that has ever bonded with their fathers at an early age. Despite being set in India, its themes transcend cultural boundaries. Therefore, “Dangal” is one of those rare Bollywood movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan will definitely appreciate “Dangal” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece, it celebrates a real-life wrestling family that achieved victories in the ring which are inspiring.
A touching tribute towards a tremendous Indian father that trained his daughters to become world-famous wrestlers in victories that are inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder of a wrestling family that forever changed the world through their sheer dedication to accomplish goals whose inspiring stories of achievements in the world of wrestling are definitely without a doubt worth telling in movies which are captivating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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