🎬 Dangal (2016) – Full Details, Cast & IMDb Rating
📌 Category: Drama,Family,Comedy ⭐ IMDb Rating: 7.9 / 10 (from 1020 votes) 📅 Release Date: 2016-12-21 🎞 Status: Released 💰 Budget: $10400000 🗣 Available Languages: हिन्दी 🌍 Country: India,United States of America 🗣 Original Language: hi 🏢 Production Companies: Aamir Khan Productions,UTV Motion Pictures,Disney World Cinema 🔗 IMDb URL: View on IMDb🎥 Watch the Official Trailer
📖 Synopsis
Dangal is an extraordinary true story based on the life of Mahavir Singh and his two daughters, Geeta and Babita Phogat. The film traces the inspirational journey of a father who trains his daughters to become world class wrestlers.Aamir Khan and Lagaan: The Film That Redefined Bollywood
Bollywood has seen numerous iconic films, but few have had the cultural and cinematic impact of Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001). This epic sports drama not only set a new benchmark for Indian cinema but also solidified Aamir Khan’s reputation as a trailblazing actor and producer.Aamir Khan: The Perfectionist of Bollywood
Aamir Khan, often referred to as “Mr. Perfectionist,” has been a force to reckon with in the Indian film industry. Known for his meticulous approach to acting and filmmaking, he has continuously pushed the boundaries of storytelling in Bollywood. His decision to take on Lagaan as both the lead actor and producer was a testament to his willingness to take risks. Born on March 14, 1965, Aamir began his career as a child actor in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973). Over the years, he honed his craft, delivering some of Indian cinema’s most memorable performances in films like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Rang De Basanti (2006), Taare Zameen Par (2007), and Dangal (2016). However, Lagaan remains one of his most ambitious and defining projects.The Making of Lagaan: A Gamble That Paid Off
Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced under Aamir Khan Productions, Lagaan was a cinematic experiment that defied all odds. Set in the late 19th century during British colonial rule, the film tells the story of a small Indian village that challenges the British to a high-stakes cricket match to free themselves from oppressive taxes. The film was shot in the remote village of Bhuj in Gujarat under challenging conditions. The entire cast and crew faced extreme heat and logistical difficulties, but Aamir’s unwavering dedication ensured the project stayed on track. The film’s cricket sequences were choreographed meticulously, making the game an integral part of the storytelling rather than just a backdrop.Breaking Boundaries: International Recognition
Upon its release, Lagaan became a massive box office success, receiving both critical acclaim and commercial success. It was India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 74th Academy Awards in 2002 and made it to the final nominations, a rare feat for an Indian movie. This achievement propelled Indian cinema onto the global stage, drawing attention to Bollywood’s storytelling prowess. The film also won several awards, including eight National Film Awards and nine Filmfare Awards. Its international appeal led to screenings at various film festivals, further cementing Aamir Khan’s reputation as a global cinematic icon.Legacy of Lagaan and Aamir Khan’s Influence
Even after more than two decades, Lagaan remains one of Bollywood’s most cherished films. It was a bold experiment that combined sports, history, and drama, all within the framework of a traditional Indian musical. The film’s songs, composed by A.R. Rahman, are still beloved by fans, with tracks like “Mitwa” and “Chale Chalo” being anthems of perseverance and unity. Aamir Khan’s dedication to meaningful cinema has continued beyond Lagaan. His choice of films reflects his commitment to quality storytelling, be it tackling social issues in Taare Zameen Par or breaking box office records with Dangal.Final Thoughts
Lagaan was not just a film; it was a movement in Indian cinema. It showcased the power of resilience, unity, and the undying spirit of the underdog. Aamir Khan’s decision to back such an ambitious project and his brilliant portrayal of Bhuvan ensured the film’s success and lasting impact. For cinephiles and Aamir Khan fans, Lagaan is more than just a sports drama—it is a story of courage, passion, and the indomitable spirit of India.🎭 Cast & Characters
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- Mahavir Singh Phogat: Aamir Khan
- Geeta Phogat: Fatima Sana Shaikh
- Babita Kumari: Sanya Malhotra
- Young Geeta: Zaira Wasim
- Young Babita: Suhani Bhatnagar
- Omkar: Aparshakti Khurana
- Coach Pramod Kadam: Girish Kulkarni
- Daya Kaur: Sakshi Tanwar
- Harkinder: Vivan Bhatena
- Young Omkar: Ritwik Sahore
- Referee: Ravi Aneja
- Mahavir’s Brother: Anuraag Arora
- Organiser: Mahesh Balraj
- Little Omkar: Anmol Charan
- Father of Mahaveer Singh Fogat: Karamveer Choudhary
- Sunita: Ishika Gagneja
- Chicken Shop owner: Badrul Islam
- Government Officer: Jagbir
- Nigeria Coach: Olamilekan Akanbi Jason
- Sammar: Hafiz Khan
- Mahavir’s Boss: Sumit Khanna
- Laali: Meenu Prajapati
- Official: Ansh Rathore
- Head of Department of the NSA: Shishir Sharma
- Video Parlour Guy: Gurpreet Toti
🎬 Crew & Production Team
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- Director of Photography: Satyajit Pande
- Screenplay: Nitesh Tiwari
- Editor: Ballu Saluja
- Playback Singer: Aamir Khan
- Producer: Siddharth Roy Kapur
- Producer: Kiran Rao
- Co-Producer: Amrita Pandey
- Executive Producer: Alan McAlex
- Line Producer: Navmeet Singh
- Line Producer: Vishesh Agrawal
- Line Producer: Nishith Dadhich
- Story: Nikhil Mehrotra
- Dialogue: Piyush Gupta
- Dialogue: Shreyas Jain
- Original Music Composer: Pritam Chakraborty
- Sound Designer: Shajith Koyeri
- Production Design: Laxmi Keluskar
- Production Design: Sandeep Meher
- Costume Design: Maxima Basu
- Makeup Artist: Jogendra Gupta
- Makeup Artist: Vikram Gaikwad
- Hairstylist: Avan Contractor
- Hairstylist: Nanao Soyam
- Visual Effects Supervisor: Prasad Sutar
- Visual Effects Producer: Sandeep Mane
- Stunt Coordinator: Sham Kaushal
- Playback Singer: Jonita Gandhi
- Playback Singer: Raftaar
- Playback Singer: Sarwar Khan
- Playback Singer: Sartaz Khan Barna
- Playback Singer: Neha Kakkar
- Playback Singer: Daler Mehndi
- Playback Singer: Arijit Singh
- Playback Singer: Jyoti Nooran
- Playback Singer: Sultana Nooran
- Playback Singer: R. S. Rakthaksh
- Playback Singer: V. Harini
- Playback Singer: K. Haripriya
- Playback Singer: R. Snjeevi
- Lyricist: Rajesh A. Malarvannan.
- Lyricist: Amitabh Bhattacharya
- Lyricist: Vanamali
- Thanks: Puneet Issar
📊 Audience Reviews & Popularity
🔥 Popularity Score: 3.536- Svumpukkel85: 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.
- r96sk: Too long, too predictable and too slow.After the 161 minutes were over, I didn’t hold anything majorly negative about ‘Dangal’ 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 ‘Mary Kom’ and 2015’s ‘Brothers’… even 2011’s ‘Patiala House’. 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.