Dangal Review - Part 1 - For viewers who have not seen the movie

It is incredible to see how an expected storyline was so beautifully crafted by the screenplay and writing team. I had expected the story line to be something like this –

• Ø There would be a failed wrestler,
• Ø  He would train his daughters and
• Ø The family would eventually win.

Unsurprisingly this is exactly what happened, yet I could see tears rolling down my cheeks whenever the girl misbehaved and whenever the helpless father was defeated (once even by his daughter). The audience in our theater thoroughly enjoyed though, there was roaring applause after every point scored, massive clapping and whistling after every match won.

The movie opens up in a government office where Mahavir Phogat (Aamir Khan) is working. He then makes a grand statement by defeating state level champion both in fight and in wits (What we call Baatbaazi in hindi and urdu) and with turn of events the movie ends with the girl winning CWG gold. Father Phogat infact won the much deserved standing ovation towards the end of the movie.

Authenticity

The movie is very spontaneous. As some critics have argued, it never tries to manipulate you. The movie does not fell prey to any 'isms'. Even while making a strong push towards feminism, it has not a single dialogue attributed to it. The deeply patriarchal society is shown without becoming an apologist or a critic. Things are shown as they are and left to the audience to reflect and decide.

I want to say a lot more on this in the second part of review that will be released on second sunday at 10 PM. I hope everybody would have watched the movie by then. PS - Kahani Review Part 2 will be released this sunday.

Screenplay

The characters are so real. I think I have lived with almost all of them. Aamir khan, the always stern and serious father, Sakshi Tanwar -caring and low profile mother, a random helping cousin, an arrogant coach and a sister who is also a guide. These things comprise a typical Indian family. The movie scores high on importance of indian family values also.

Technicals :

• 1. Costume Design – Fabulous  – Especially the description of local Haryanavi women and men..
• 2. Cinematography and Direction – Nitesh Tiwari is Awesome as always.
• 3. Sceenplay is superb. Not a single frame is without purpose. Not a single dialogue is without reason.

Go and watch this movie to pay your respect to Mahaveer Phugat and for the charm of Fatima Sana Sheikh. (I know most of you had secret crush on her from childhood days).

Who Should Go :

Everybody should watch this movie. It is definitely in the league of best movies that Bollywood has made so far (Eg. Sholay, Border etc)

My Ratings for the movie 4.5/5