Dangal Review | Aamir Khan | Saakshi Tanwar | Fatima Sana Shaikh

One line Review: Dangal has its heart at the right place and every little aspect of it resembles perfection!

Positive Points: Everything from the extraordinary performances, to the execution. The movie manages to keep the audience hooked from the word go! Along with entertainment, the film gives away a powerful message to the viewers.

Negative Points: The length of the film. Despite the lengthy timeline, there is no scope for boredom in the film. Also, there are a few dry moments in the second half that strike a few times.

Plot: Mahavir Phogat ( Aamir Khan ), a National level wrestling champion had to give up playing the sport due to lack of financial and family support. He had to sideline his dream to win gold for the country in his young days and take up a job to earn livelihood. After his marriage, he desires a boy so as to accomplish his unfulfilled dream. But, destiny plays his game and Mahavir’s wife ( Saakshi Tanwar ) gives birth to four daughters.

Mahavir loses hope and shuts his dream of winning gold for the nation. His teenage daughters Geeta and Babita indulge in a fight with the local boys and hit them so hard that they are left badly injured. Then, Mahavir realises the potential of his daughters and decides to train them in wrestling. Horrified with the idea, young Geeta and Babita try to run out of their practise sessions and return to normal their life. But, after taking it upon themselves, they both start winning local competitions and beating trained wrestler boys in the sport.

Soon, Geeta and Babita win every possible championship and reach the state and then National level championship. After winning at the National level, their journey to international level competitions starts!

Direction and other Technical Aspects: Director Nitesh Tiwari has done a phenomenal job and has managed to make almost a flawless film. It is beautiful in every aspect and the execution is apt. It is a story that is worth telling and the narration makes it even more attractive. Editing by Ballu Saluja is worth appreciating. The writing is on point, the scenes and their detailing is done with utmost perfection. Hence, even tiny little things like the young girls’ tantrums or the change in behaviour of Geeta while she is away from family are carved so well. The characters are built skilfully and so the audience can easily connect with them. The dialogues are powerful and wisely support the plot. The costumes, the backdrop, cinematography among other things simply impress. All the wrestling scenes are shot and executed precisely. Action director Sham Kaushal has designed the stunts brilliantly. Some scenes like the akada sequence between Mahavir and Geeta, also the wrestling matches towards the end, are so engrossing in the film that they keep you at the edge of your seat.

Performance: Aamir Khan is back on the silver screen and like always he is superlative. Mr. Perfectionist once again delivers a perfect and flawless act. His amazing body transformation for the role of Mahavir Phogat has become the talk of the town, and why not! The effort that the actor has put in to achieve results is huge. Also, choosing the right content and scripts has now become his forte. With this skill, he is bringing the best of cinema to life.

Saakshi Tanwar , a popular TV name has been roped in to play the role of Mahavir’s wife. Being the talented actor that Saakshi is, she essays the complexities of her role with ease. She pulls off the emotional scenes beautifully and is a needed supporting pillar to the plot.

Fatima Sana Shaikh who plays Geeta Phogat is unbelievable. Her intense training for the role is evident as she is seen playing the sport like the real wrestler. She perfectly emotes all the emotions and shines brightly in the wrestling scenes.

Sanya Malhotra essays the role of Babita Phogat. She essays her role with ease and perfection. Her confident act is highly impressive. Although, the major focus of the plot is on Geeta’s journey, Sanya manages to shine in the emotional and wrestling sequences that she has shouldered.

Young Geeta and Babita, played by talented girls Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar , put together a brilliant act. They are a delight to watch.

Aparshakti Khurrana sums up an amusing act. His comic timing is apt and manages to make you laugh. His younger version played by Ritvik Sahore is also likable. All other supporting actors perform their roles rightly doing justice to their parts.

Music: All the songs including ‘Haanikaarak Bapu’, ‘Dhaakad’, ‘Gilehriyaan’ and the powerful title track, are magical. The background score is super effective and empowers the visuals.

Final Verdict: This biographical wrestling drama breaks bones and wins hearts. Along with rendering a strong positive message, it also entertains the viewers to the core. This film is a complete family entertainer and a must watch for all.