Mahavir Singh Phogat, a former national wrestling champion, wants sons to further his legacy and do what he never could, to win wrestling golds on an international level, but - despite all the 'unfailing' plans thrust his way by village know-it-alls - much to his chagrin, he keeps on producing daughters.
This is a reflection of both the systematic way in which international athletes train where they can measure the odds, and of its stark contrast with Indian athletes - especially female stars like Dipa Karmakar, who rocked the Produnova at the 2016 Games - and the way they face each round on the world stage with an absolute go-for-broke mentality, never sure of another chance.ĭangal, Nitesh Tiwari's film about the marvellous Phogat sisters who have won wrestling golds for India, captures this mindset brilliantly.Ī film about real-life sporting champions can often be a predictable guts-and-glory tale, but instead of creating contrived points of conflict, this film masterfully brings the actual struggle into relief: The paucity of funds, the lack of opponents to train with, a belief in technique which may be dated.Īn authentic wrestling mat becomes the subject of dreams.Ī local wrestling promoter claims more villagers will turn up to see women fight than to look at lions. The Olympic gold medallist and reigning queen of the sport, American gymnast Simone Biles shuns it entirely, saying, 'I'm not trying to die.' This summer, India learnt the name Produnova.Īn intricate gymnastic move named after a legendary Russian athlete, the Produnova is a vault so complex that only five gymnasts have actually executed it.
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