Dangal (2016)

An inspiring feel-good true story about fighting for a dream that only you can see.
Most importantly this movie dares to put up a fight fighting against old Indian traditions and female prejudice.

Two daughters overcome heavy obstacles to become world famous Indian wrestlers, with the support and motivation of their father and trainer.

It is a very colorful, well-made lighthearted entertainment. The acting is fine, and the characters are relatable.

A drawback is that it is way too long for a one-night-movie, and should have been made into a mini-series.

Overlooking the abuse-aspect:
I think it is important to say that personally, I don't agree with most of the methods the father used to train, strengthen and harden his daughters, as a lot of actually was serious child abuse. Their mother also acts as the passive typical enabler. To make it worse, the movie dismisses and jokes about the psychological hurt on the daughters as if it didn't do any damage. In Europe, the father would have been jailed and the kids taken away by CPS.
I think it is a big misunderstanding to glorify abusive behavior, but I guess Indians still have to learn that you can motivate your children without abusing them.

Too long, too predictable and too slow.

After the 161 minutes were over, I didn't hold anything majorly negative about <em>'Dangal'</em> as it does improve as it goes on. However, the first chunk of this film is yawnful, with the story falling to initially inspire - just a guide on how to be a bad parent, in anything. The ending is also pretty cartoonish, with the broom cupboard stuff.

The cast performances are, in fairness, very good. Aamir Khan does great as Mahavir, while Fatima Sana Shaikh (and Zaira Wasim) are impressive as Geeta. Sanya Malhotra (and Suhani Bhatnagar) deserve praise also.

With that noted, It isn't really anything all that fresh for Bollywood sport biopics either. It follows similar beats to 2014's <em>'Mary Kom'</em> and 2015's <em>'Brothers'</em>... even 2011's <em>'Patiala House'</em>.

For me, this 2016 production just feels so bloated and forced that it hampers the, admittedly noteworthy, hearty narrative. The leads are the only strong points to it in my opinion. It has been very highly received by others, so what do I know? Opinions and all that.