Review of Dangal (2016) by Ryan X — 15 Nov 2018

The film Dangal, starring Amir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanya Malhotra, tells the true story of a family's journey to athletic success. After Mahavir Singh Phogat is unable to win a wrestling medal for his country, he trains his two daughters, Geeta and Babita, to achieve his unattained success. Throughout the film, the audience sees the physical and societal obstacles that this family faces in pursuit of this athletic glory. Despite the father's initial coercion of his dreams onto his daughters, the film actually brings a sense of empowerment to the audience. The montages of the daughters' training highlight their difficulties both physically and socially, making their successes that much more inspiring. The wrestling scenes are so well choreographed and realistic, allowing the audience to feel the wrestlers' struggle. When the daughters are standing victorious and proud in front of their country, the audience cannot help but feel empowered.

One of the most prominent themes in this film is nationalism and pride. As stated by Tejaswini Ganti, the film explores the idea of "constructing a national identity" that honors the country (Ganti 32, "Bollywood"). In this film, the father wants to contribute to this honor by becoming a nationally established wrestling coach. This theme of nationalism becomes a factor in the relationship between the father and the daughters. Specifically, the daughters initially conflict with their father because of his demanding trainings and expectations. However, this conflict is fueled by the father's unfulfilled desire to make his country proud through sport. This father-daughter dynamic can also be seen in Diwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ). In DDLJ, Simran's relationship with her father is strained when she wants to marry someone the father does not believe is a true Hindustani. In this case, the father's sense of national morality causes his conflicting relationship with his daughter. Both films showcase a strained father-daughter relationship that is partially caused by the father's nationalistic pride. As a whole, Dangal is a film that empowers the audience through its incorporation of themes of nationalism and struggle.