In his 2001 Oscar nominated 'Lagaan', Aamir Khan had hit a six off last ball to win the match. In 2016, his latest release 'Dangal' hits the much needed six off the last week to rescue bollywood from its long dry spell. Dangal is a triumph not just for Khan but for Bollywood itself. Trust me, I've not seen a biopic which balances realism and entertainment so fantastically and intentionally avoids undue glorification of its lead.
Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan), a national level wrestler from small town in Haryana, aspires to win gold for India but is forced to take up job to fend for his family. He wants a son to be able to fulfil his ambition but God blesses him with four daughters. Distraught and dejected Mahavir Singh realises he can still achieve his dream through his two daughters Geeta (Fatima Sana Shaikh) and Babita (Sanya Malhotra) who inherit his genes. "Mhari choriyan choron se kam hai ke", he questions his submissive wife (Sakshi Tanwar).
Next, Mahavir Singh almost turns tyrannical by imposing strict diet regime and strenous training on his kid daughters. At one point, he even gets their tresses chopped off. At this juncture, I actually wondered if his stubborn actions were justified at all and whether a parent should impose his unfulfilled ambitions on his child and subject him/her to such extreme stress. That's the beauty of Dangal - it makes you ponder at the situations even as it entertains.
The next scene involving an underage girl being married off against her wish to live a life burning 'choola' and bearing children drives the pertinent point of the need for female empowerment in rural India. It also makes the Phogat sisters realise the quantum of dedication and perseverance of their father to give them an identity of their own in such a feudal society even while he is braving the growing resistance and taunts from the neighbourhood.
Co- writer and director Nitesh Tiwari springs a surprise after his okey dokey kiddo film 'Chillar Party' (2011) and just about bearable 'Bhootnath Returns' (2014). Dangal is a giant leap for him in terms of story telling as well as technique. Dialogues are brilliant and the haryanvi accent doesn't jar at all. The production quality is expectedly top class. The background score complements the movie perfectly.
On the flipside, the film could've been crisper in the second half. A locked door playing villain in the climax appears to be a cinematic liberty...but I'll choose to ignore these few inconsistencies as they don't hamper the big picture and it's strong inspiring message.
That perfectionist Aamir Khan had worked hard on his physique for this movie is well known. But the amount of intensity he lends to his real life character which ages from a lean muscular wrestler to a hapless paunchy father is highly commendable.
The supporting cast is pitch perfect. Sakshi Tanwar delivers a restrained yet effective performance. Newcomers Fatima and Sanya leave a lasting impression. Marathi actor Girish Kulkarni gets a meaty role and nails it.
All in all, Dangal is simply unmissable. Do yourself a favour by watching it today.
