The much awaited film Dangal released last week and I HAD to watch it. Being a movie buff, I can safely say that it’s one of the best films of 2016. It takes you through the lives of two Indian girls, Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat, who went on to become world renowned wrestlers in a way which is an absolute treat to the eyes! Dangal is not just a film, it’s an experience. I walked out of the cinema hall with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face – that’s how much I loved this film.
Each character in the story stands out. Aamir Khan blends himself in the role of Mahavir Singh Phogat. He doesn’t act the character, he becomes it. Fatima Sana Shaikh as Geeta and Sanya Malhotra as Babita are just fab and fierce. Special mention to Zaira Wasim as young Geeta and Suhani Bhatnagar as young Babita for just being flawless!
If you haven’t watched the film already, you need to book your tickets now. And if you have watched it, then I’m sure you’ll agree with what I have to say about it. Here are 10 times when this movie made me go ‘HELL YEAH’!
1. Mahavir Singh Phogat – When the father becomes the coach
After trying really hard, when Mahavir Singh Phogat ends up with four daughters and no son, he gives up on his dream of making his unborn son a gold medalist in wrestling. When one day he sees his daughters going completely badass on two guys who mistreated them, Mahavir realizes that ‘Gold toh gold hota hai … chora lave ya chori’ and hence begins the story of a father who breaks all gender stereotypes.
2. From long hair to boy cut, from salwaar kameez to shorts!
Mahavir Singh takes charge and with utter determination, he begins a journey, along with his two daughters, to make sure that they both win a gold medal for India. But of course, it wasn’t easy – the girls are reluctant. Though he hates to be their stringent coach, he pushes his limits just to see his daughters succeed, even if it involved his daughters completing hating him for what he was doing to them…because ultimately he knows it’s for their good.
3. When feminism was the need of the hour!
Living in a state like Haryana, where patriarchy is still prevalent, Mahavir takes a stand for himself and his family to prove that his daughters are no less than any man. He goes against the world just to prove that women can fight, they can wrestle, they can do anything they want and no one can stop them.
4. ‘Ab Dangal Hoga’ – When the girls protest!
While Mahavir is trying everything he can to give his daughters the training they need, both Geeta and Babita go against him. Why wouldn’t they? They were never asked whether they wanted to wrestle. They had to cut their hair, wear shorts, stop eating whatever they loved and of course, no one likes to wake up at 5 in the morning. People made fun of them and TBH, they did what they thought was right.
5. When the moment of realization hits!
Geeta and Babita realize they are lucky that their father isn’t marrying them off like it happens to many. They realize that their father wants them to have a career and not just cook and clean at home. They realize that no matter what, their father will fight and make sure he does everything he can just to see his daughters win a gold medal for their country. And so, they become as determined as him and put all their efforts into making their father’s dream come true, which is now theirs as well!
6. When they struggled to achieve what they wanted!
It’s tough to succeed when society pulls you down. The struggle is real and you and I can’t even imagine what Geeta and Babita must have gone through when they were pursuing their dreams. All we know is that they both gave a tough fight and achieved what they wanted to do.
7. When the moment of victory arrives!
Who doesn’t love winning. When Geeta and Babita were killing it with their wrestling, it made me wish I could fight like that. In fact, the way they both fought, I’m sure it made EVERY girl feel proud and say ‘HELL YEAH! There’s literally nothing a woman can’t do. Here’s proof’.
8. When a woman’s innate strength and determination takes over everything else!
Dangal is a story of three different women too – The mother who puts aside societal norms and provides encouragement to her daughters, an elder sister who is an inspiration to her younger ones and the younger sister, who brings back her sister on track when she goes off it. It shows the innate strength and determination a woman has! It shows that no matter what, women can handle whatever comes their way, be it emotional or physical.
9. Your father will always be your father – When nothing else mattered!
You can always go back to your family, no matter what you have done or where you are. Your father will always be your father and he’ll love you just the way he did before you left. After losing consecutively, Geeta starts losing hope and that’s when her father motivates her. He helps her achieve her goals, he makes sure he’s there for her and when the time comes, he knows that his daughter will give her best!
10. When giving up wasn’t an option, even if you’re losing!
Dangal is a film that justifies the saying – Try and try until you succeed. Mahavir makes sure that his daughters never give up and strive to achieve what they want. Geeta knows that giving up is not an option! Even when her father isn’t around, she knows that she HAS to win the medal and she does. She wins it, she wins gold and no, not for herself, not for the country but for her father – the person who made her what she is today.
GIFs: Tumblr
