Any sports-movie has a set pattern. There is the initial reluctance to train (either from sportsperson or from coach), followed by a twist that shows surge in passion, followed by full blooded training and then the eventual victory. So the audience already knows what will happen.
It is, in making the whole cinema-watching process engaging, where the director scores and Nitesh Tiwari does more than that for his Dangal. It is a riveting watch for most parts and the "full credit" should go to everybody involved - the producers, director, storywriters, cinematographer, editor and of course the actors.
Aamir Khan who plays Mahavir Singh Phogat is excellent. He has three looks in this film; first is of a young muscular wrestler, second - an in-his-thirties desk job employee who still can joust with aplomb and the third a potbellied in-his-fifties father of four. He nails each one of them in a performance that could well be his best till date. The caring husband, a loving father and a strict wrestling coach are all essayed convincingly.
Sakshi Tanwar plays Aamir's accommodating wife with the same assurance that she did when she worked in television. The joy of being a mother not once but four times, yet the angst that a son was not born to her to fulfill her husband's 'Golden' dream, is beautifully conveyed. Her performance should spawn many more film offers in the coming time.
The girls, on whose careers the whole movie is based, give hard hitting performances. The adolescent Geeta and Babita, played by Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar respectively are spot on with their Haryanvi accents. Their grappling on the mud brings out some of the highest points in the film. Even the older ones, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra are neither overshadowed nor look overawed by the superstar playing their father.
The most heart-warming performance in the film is that of the character Omkar (Phogat's nephew). Both the boy (Ritwik Sahore) and the man (Aparshakti Khurrana) are brilliant with their comic touches. Girish Kulkarni as the egoistic coach is effective as is the rest of the cast. The authenticity in each of the roles is what keeps viewers hooked on to this 160 minute feature.
The music of the film is rustic and Pritam does a good job of it. But what impressed me more were the lyrics with Amitabh Bhattacharya at his earthy best. The Haanikaarak Baapu song is a lyrical masterpiece. The background score is solid with some good adrenaline pumping moments during the fight sequences.
The only flaws were in a couple of scenes involving the final match score and the father's presence at the venue. These are the points where the facts were twisted in the name of cinematic liberty. But it seems to work, as the climax gets the necessary bite and ends the film with style.
Like a couple of lines said in the movie – TERE MEIN DUM HAI and SABAAS - have to be said about the film as well. I rate this - 4 out of 5.
It is, in making the whole cinema-watching process engaging, where the director scores and Nitesh Tiwari does more than that for his Dangal. It is a riveting watch for most parts and the "full credit" should go to everybody involved - the producers, director, storywriters, cinematographer, editor and of course the actors.
Aamir Khan who plays Mahavir Singh Phogat is excellent. He has three looks in this film; first is of a young muscular wrestler, second - an in-his-thirties desk job employee who still can joust with aplomb and the third a potbellied in-his-fifties father of four. He nails each one of them in a performance that could well be his best till date. The caring husband, a loving father and a strict wrestling coach are all essayed convincingly.
Sakshi Tanwar plays Aamir's accommodating wife with the same assurance that she did when she worked in television. The joy of being a mother not once but four times, yet the angst that a son was not born to her to fulfill her husband's 'Golden' dream, is beautifully conveyed. Her performance should spawn many more film offers in the coming time.
The girls, on whose careers the whole movie is based, give hard hitting performances. The adolescent Geeta and Babita, played by Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar respectively are spot on with their Haryanvi accents. Their grappling on the mud brings out some of the highest points in the film. Even the older ones, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra are neither overshadowed nor look overawed by the superstar playing their father.
The most heart-warming performance in the film is that of the character Omkar (Phogat's nephew). Both the boy (Ritwik Sahore) and the man (Aparshakti Khurrana) are brilliant with their comic touches. Girish Kulkarni as the egoistic coach is effective as is the rest of the cast. The authenticity in each of the roles is what keeps viewers hooked on to this 160 minute feature.
The music of the film is rustic and Pritam does a good job of it. But what impressed me more were the lyrics with Amitabh Bhattacharya at his earthy best. The Haanikaarak Baapu song is a lyrical masterpiece. The background score is solid with some good adrenaline pumping moments during the fight sequences.
The only flaws were in a couple of scenes involving the final match score and the father's presence at the venue. These are the points where the facts were twisted in the name of cinematic liberty. But it seems to work, as the climax gets the necessary bite and ends the film with style.
Like a couple of lines said in the movie – TERE MEIN DUM HAI and SABAAS - have to be said about the film as well. I rate this - 4 out of 5.
