Debutants Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra, who play Geeta and Babita Phogat, deliver stunning performances. The authentically choreographed wrestling sequences allow viewers to undertake an immersive journey into the lives of these two incredible women, who defy all odds to attain their goals.
Zaira Hasim and Suhani Bhatnagar, who play the young Geeta and Babita respectively, are impeccable and hold the fort for the major part of the first-half – without ever letting the film’s 160-minute runtime get to us.
Sakshi Tanwar, the gifted actress who plays their mother, manages to hold her own even with our elf-eared Aamir in the same frame. From her authentic Haryanvi accent to the ease with which she dials up the emotional quotient, it is refreshing to see her outside of the daily soap “diya jalao-diya bujhao” circus.
Dangal has a clear message: if given a chance and kept away from the “chulha-chawka” routine, women can be as good as, if not better than, men in any field of their choice.
