Trust Aamir to promote a film that
appeals to your finer sensitivities. The man who was critical of a movie moghul
for being emotionally manipulative plays the puppeteer with your intellect. The
critic of regimented education (Tare Zameen Par and 3 Idiots) now propagates
exactly that with the same degree of cacoethes and conviction.
Not since Raj Kapoor (Awara to Dharam Karam) has an actor done with equal
conviction a celluloid volte face or come a full circle so convincingly, so
passionately. The passion, the conviction, the intelligence, the integrity are
all present in ordered measure. The result: a biopic worth watching, a sports
docu drama that will stick close to Lagan and Iqbal in our archives.
Is this a probe into the travails and travels of Mahavir Singh Phoogat for a
national gold or is it a sharp relook of the protagonist’s view of education.
After being critical of formal education looking for ranks and rank holders
this time round the protagonist advocates the Chaitanya Narayana module on
training to the top. Of course, he delivers like only he can and has done.
The bio pic is about how Mahavir Phoogat having not made it to the victory
stand yearns to have a son who could complete his unfulfilled dreams. With four
daughters the dreams seem derailed until a small fight in the backyard of
Haryana between his spirited daughters and the local lads show light in the
tunnel. He now is convinced that he has two winners at home and spends every
bit of his energy every hope and living moment to see them as winners of
wrestling gold. How he goes about the task in the midst of social mindsets,
social taboos, and systemic prejudices is what the drama is all about. Apart
from being a salute to the human spirit it is also a critique on gender
equality. There is also for dramatic value the sharp cleaved contrast between
the approach of a professional coach and the passionate father: defence vs
attack; passion vs skill; win over victory. In passing the film also touches
the tale of empty nesters and growing children. All in right measure and in the
correct sequence.
If nothing watch the film for the wonderful wrestling bout that takes place
immediately after half time between the ageing Dad (Aamir) and his daughter
Geeta (Fatima Sana Shaik). Notice the dramatic punch and how it wonderfully
eschews the documentary pattern and yet sticks to basics. Watch then the scene
when the seemingly estranged father and daughter make up with a long-distance
phone call and give you a choking moment.
Every one in the cast contribute to the credibility and quality of the film.
Aamir like so often is central and yet not attention hogging. This is a film
you miss at your own risk. Do not waste time. Get to seeing it at the earliest.
This is one Dangal you would enjoy.
Rating: 4 stars
+: Treatment
–: Needlessly long
L. Ravichander.