Dangal, is one of those inspirations, motivational and hugely gratifying. A film that brings alive human and nationalistic emotions in the same breath. I have no hesitation to admit, that there were many moments when my eyes were moist (understatement). If I try pin-pointing specific episodes within the film as special, I will be doing a disservice to the whole notion of exemplary team work.
Dangal, is a demonstration of the art of balancing emotions and master craftsmanship in storytelling. Here is something where the outcome is known. However, the film is bale to keep you on the edge and rooting for your candidate to win.
The film is simple. It is a cinematic portraying of the story of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters. Mahavir is a wrestler who could not win the coveted medal for the nation. He is a forgotten obscurity. He dreams of having his son fulfil his dreams. However, all four born to him are girls. He is dejected, until an incident makes him believe that even his daughters could be the vehicles of his dream realization. Here starts a completely dedicated, passionate, ruthless journey of him training his daughters to be wrestlers. He fights the family, the community and then off-course he succeeds.
Many may blindly see the film as a support for gender equality. They cannot be faulted as the film in certain degree with all its dialogue leaves such an impression. Nevertheless, it is a defeated, disgruntled sportsman pursuit of the missing glory. However, there is nothing wrong in it. Come on it is an entertaining film.
Aamir as expected is brilliant. He once again sets up a new benchmark. Unfortunately, there are a few who can try matching him. Here, I am not counting the other khans.
Sakshi Tanvar plays Aamir’s wife. She does justice to the mostly mute role and yet scores with expressions. There are frames where you see the real actor in her. I always felt; she is underutilized in the films and over exploited in TV.
Aparshakti Khurrana plays the role of Phogat sister’s cousin Omkar ( older version). He brings a smile on your face. You involuntarily laugh and chuckle. Deeply imprinted is the scene, where Aamir Khan takes Omkar to a makeshift tent cinema in the village, famous for showing that kind of movies. His timing is perfect and expression’s worth watching.
The two young stars in focus, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra play the Phogat sisters. They do ample justice to the faith imposed on them. Hopefully, the industry will recognize, and we will not remember them as one few-film wonder. I do hope to see a lot more of them.
Picking Omkar ( cousin) as the sutradhar ( narrator) of the whole story brings that little bit of humour and smile in an otherwise slightly serious film. The setting is hugely authentic. Camera work perfect with hardly a frame wasted. The raw edges of silent love and admiration within the family are there to add that extra edge to the characters. It amplifies the ironclad but adjustable dictatorial rule of Mahavir Singh at home. There are instances when the mask of strong headedness allows the love of a father to creep in. And these are the moments where Aamir scores.
The costumes are all so authentic that you become immersed in the scenes. I have extra appreciation and respect for of the casting team. Aamir anyway portrays the aging Mahavir Singh with a class act and physical changes. However, when you look at the transformation of young Phogat sisters and the cousin Omkar from childhood to young adults. It is hugely a success talent and casting team. It is just cinematic excellence. The emotions, care passion and the fear of Taujee ( Aamir Khan) felt by the young Omkar, finds an echo in the older version. The feelings are deeply internalized and remain as potent. You see Phogat sisters growing and transforming through age. It is a wonderful experience in itself.
Dialogue is another area where Dangal scores yet again. Nowhere do you miss any emotion, hint or expression because of the Haryanavi dialect. The dialogues are all short. No gyanbazzi. They keep the situational cultural and social ethos completely in focus.
The Music for a change works. Lyrics are grounded, and in sync with the whole experience. They not only take the movie forward but allow some breathing space to the audience. There is no wasted note, jarring strings or strained singing. Pritam, Amitabh Battacharya and Diler Mehndi, please take a bow.
The narrative of Dangal is fairly linear and simple. I am thankful to the director for having kept it in control. There were enough sub-plots and opportunities to overlay the social messages. However, he remains true to the story. He goes for near perfect screen play with a clear commercial entertainment. Thank you Nitish.
Could Dangal be shorter than the slightly stretched 161 minutes… Maybe… but I am not complaining. The duration does not matter. You never feel the extra length. A gripping entertainer from first frame to the last.
GO AND WATCH THIS ONE. AND I BET YOU WILL LIKE IT.
Dangal, featuring Aamir Khan and Directed by Nitesh Tiwari is the Bollywood movie of the year. With Dangal, Mr. Perfectionist scores a near perfect. It is like 4.75 on a scale of 5.
Let me tell you, where that 0.25 went. I deducted it as a reviewer prerogative, for my belief that PERFECTION IS ALWAYS WORK-IN-PROGRESS. And then, I wanted to leave the team to look forward to something still better. Think, Mr. Perfectionist would understand.
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Dangal, like ‘Chak De Inida’ and ‘Saala Kadoos’ is a also a cinematic close look at how despite the apathy of federation and coaches, how women sports have developed in India. Nevertheless, that is not the real story here.
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I watched Dangal in Jabalpur. This is a city where I in childhood, I with once with my father and many times with friends squeezed in the maddening crowd to watch the red clay smeared langot ( the traditional red coloured tightly wrapped undergarment worn by wrestlers) clad wrestlers fighting over the prize money. The small narrow compound that was the Akaraa then, is now a public toilet.
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Here unlike Mumbai, there was no Anthem played before the movie. However, National did happen, towards the end when Geeta Phogat won her Commonwealth Gold. The instrumental tune was ever pleasing, and ever soothing to the ears. By that time, you were already dawning in patriotic wave.
Certain group of audience did stand up. I am sure here it was all pure patriotism and not a way to avoid any unpleasant situation.
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Dangal, is no OSCAR material and anyway ill-timed for it.
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Cast: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, Suhani Bhatnagar, Vivan Bhatena, Aparshakti Khurrana Director: Nitesh Tiwari
