REVIEW
 
Aamir Khan’s film Dangal is a story of hope, a story of determination and a story of women emancipation. It recalls the journey of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his two daughters who beat patriarchy and all odds to make it big. Despite failing to realise his own dream to get gold for India, Aamir Khan’s Mahavir trains his two daughters Geeta and Babita (played by Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh) to become world champions.
 
In Dangal’s story, you can smell the earth, the putrid smell of defeat and the heady, heady aroma of victory. Director Nitesh Tiwari has brought alive a feat of strength and his actor are there with him on every step. Sakshi Tanwar as Aamir’s wife is exemplary. The film’s songs capture the journey, as does its dialogues. This film has the kind of dialogues that stay with you, become part of your lexicon and stay on long after film is off the theatres.
 
STORY
 
Former Indian wrestler Mahavir Phogat (Aamir Khan) longs for a male child who he believes could win a gold medal for India in wrestling on an international level. But, fate has some other plans in store for him as his wife is blessed with a baby girl for the fourth time. A dejected Mahavir gears up to bid good-bye to his long-harboured dream. However, the awareness of gender parity dawns on him when his daughters Geeta (Zaira Wasim) and Babita (Suhani Bhatnagar) during their growing years beat two neighbourhood boys black and blue after they pass snide comments at the two sisters.

Thus, begins the journey of a man and his two daughters who refuse to bow down to the patriarchy society and give in to the prejudices associated with females taking up wrestling as a sport. However, the path to glory isn't a bed of roses especially when your focus towards your goal takes a backseat and you also have an arrogant national coach to deal with. 

 
PERFORMANCE
 
It’s predictable as u know the results but the direction has made the matches look so interesting. The actors certainly have gone through rigorous training. All moves were perfectly captured. If you have lauded SRK as Kabir Khan, like Naseeruddin Shah in Iqbal then just watch Dangal. Another coach deserves your admiration.
 
Attack is the best form of defence, that’s Geeta Phogat’s game and Sana apes that perfectly.  Mahavir Phogat deserves a special applaud for his coaching. The CWG 2010 was not just about corruption. India won over 100 medals in the event and two went to Geeta and Babita. You need to watch Dangal to see the hard work behind those achievements.
Saakshi Tanvar gets little screen time but leaves an impression. The film is certainly not only about achievements and the heroics of the protagonists. This is certainly Aamir’s finest performance in the last couple of years. The Aamir we really missed after 3 Idiots. He is back with a punch.
 
Girish Kulkarni, the Marathi actor who was fantastic as an ugly cop, shines here as an arrogant national coach. You can’t lose focus. Sports need discipline and the beginning of the second half shows that.
 
But nothing can be so perfect, so a villain has to be devised. It’s a fictional account, but a good story is never complete without a strong antagonist. If it was the society in the first half, the wrestling federation takes it over in the second. It gets a bit preachy. But it doesn’t matter: Mahavir and his girls have already won the bout.
 
This could be Aamir’s best performance till date. Yes, even better than Lagaan. A man making his daughters chase his dream. He cries, frowns, gets angry, looks old and tired, but is definitely one of us. When he shakes his head helplessly, you see a father in him. When he gets into a brawl, he is the brother you always depended on. When he wants to see you win, you know you have to perform. It’s not just his pride, it’s yours as well.
 
PLUS
 
All The Lead Cast Performance
Screenplay
Music
Dialouges
Cinemetography
 
MINUS
 
Nothing Much

Verdict : Dangal - DO NOT MISS IT!

Stars : 2.5/5