Dangal

As Omkar's voiceover sets the stage, the film's narrative unfolds like a rich tapestry, woven from the threads of truth. The story takes us to the small village of Balali in Haryana, India, where Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan), a wrestling enthusiast, is consumed by his country's lackluster performance in international competitions. His frustration boils over when a new employee, Vivan Bhatena, dares him to engage in a wrestling match, which Mahavir wins with ease.

As we delve deeper into the film, we find Mahavir working part-time at a local wrestling ring (Akhaada), where he showcases his exceptional skills and technique. His wife, Daya Shobha (Sakshi Tanwar), stands by him morally, but their hopes of producing an Olympic champion are repeatedly dashed as they welcome four consecutive girls into the world: Geeta (Young Geeta Zaira Wasim / Elder Geeta Fatima Sana Shaikh), Babita (Young Babita Suhani Bhatnagar / Elder Babita Sanya Malhotra), Ritu, and Sangita.

As the years pass, Mahavir's enthusiasm wanes, and he locks away his wrestling equipment and medals in a trunk, resigning himself to disappointment. However, fate has other plans. Thirteen or fourteen years later, a neighbor complains about their sons being bullied by Geeta and Babita. When Mahavir witnesses the girls' impressive wrestling skills firsthand, his eyes sparkle with newfound hope. He reveals to his wife that it's not just a boy who can win a Gold medal; any individual with the right spirit can achieve greatness.

Mahavir then makes a bold decision: he will no longer restrict Geeta and Babita to household chores or cooking utensils; instead, they will be trained as wrestlers, and together, they will strive for Olympic glory.

As Mahavir sets the tone for their rigorous training regimen, he proves to be a no-nonsense instructor who demands nothing but the best from his protégés. Each day begins at the crack of dawn, with a stern awakening that leaves Geeta and Babita (Geeta) reeling. Their diet is meticulously managed, with any indulgence in street food or spicy cuisine strictly prohibited. Exercise becomes an integral part of their daily routine, as Mahavir pushes them to their physical limits.

However, when the sisters bemoan the damage caused by training on unforgiving dirt, Mahavir summons a barber and has their locks mercilessly shaved off. His decision to introduce non-vegetarian fare into their diet sparks outrage from Geeta and Babita, who feel that their coach is being cruel in his relentless pursuit of wrestling greatness. In response, they begin to sabotage their training by tampering with the alarm clock and sneaking in spicy snacks whenever possible.

As a result, their performances on the mat suffer, much to Mahavir's dismay. But a poignant encounter with their young friend Sunita at her 14th birthday celebration serves as a wake-up call for Geeta and Babita. Realizing that they have been blessed to be training for a purpose beyond just marrying off at an early age like their friend is destined to do, the sisters refocus their efforts and throw themselves into their training with renewed passion.

When Geeta finally reaches a level of proficiency worthy of Mahavir's attention, he takes her to another village to compete in a high-stakes wrestling match. The local populace is initially skeptical about the prospect of a girl facing off against a boy, but the organizer's desperation for an audience and the promise of significant prize money ultimately convinces them to permit the bout.

As Geeta selects the strongest opponent among the competitors, the crowd expects a blowout victory for the male wrestler. But she proves them wrong with a spirited performance that wins over the audience and earns her a respectable amount of prize money from the sponsors, even if she doesn't emerge victorious.

As Geeta struggles to find rest after the loss, she turns to her father for solace, inquiring about the next wrestling tournament on the horizon. Meanwhile, a remarkable transformation takes place in their rural community, where the previously skeptical villagers now rally behind Geeta and her sister Babita (Kumiko Yamaguchi), cheering them on with an air of pride. This newfound support propels the sisters to an unbeatable streak, as they dominate each subsequent competition.

Geeta's success culminates at the National Level Wrestling Competition, earning her a spot at the prestigious National Sports Academy Training Centre in Patiala, Punjab State. Though this new chapter brings Geeta (Kumiko Yamaguchi) closer to achieving her dreams, it also sparks a rift between her and her father, Mahavir. The introduction of Coach Pramod Kadam Girish Kulkarni marks a significant shift in Geeta's training regimen, as she's forced to abandon the techniques passed down from her father.

As Geeta settles into her new surroundings, she begins to form connections with her fellow trainees and explores new aspects of life, such as shopping, socializing well into the night, and indulging in beauty treatments. Her newfound freedom is palpable when she returns home after a few months, eager to share her fresh perspective with Babita and other aspiring wrestlers who have joined Mahavir's ring.

Geeta's enthusiasm, however, soon gives way to an intense rivalry as she attempts to impart her new wrestling methods on her sister and the others. This confrontation culminates in a fiercely contested match between Geeta and Mahavir, only for the latter to emerge victorious due to his age. Babita intervenes, cautioning Geeta that her fixation on this new approach is causing her to lose focus. The incident weighs heavily on Mahavir, who feels as though he's lost his daughter forever.

As Geeta (Geeta Phogat) continues to participate in international matches, a sense of complacency slowly gives way to creeping anxiety about the direction of her career. Meanwhile, her sister Babita (Babita Kumari) is enjoying a string of successes, culminating in a national championship win that propels her to the same training centre as Geeta. As Geeta's frustration mounts due to her unbroken streak of losses, it's Babita who offers words of wisdom, encouraging Geeta to mend fences with their father, Mahavir (Mahavir Singh Phogat). The emotional toll is evident as Geeta, now a shadow of her former self, makes amends over the phone, tears streaming down her face. Mahavir, ever the devoted parent, forgives his daughter and soon becomes an integral part of her training regimen.

When Geeta is directed by her coach to compete in the 51-kg weight group, she's forced to confront the possibility that her prime years as a wrestler may be behind her. In response, Mahavir relocates to Patiala, positioning himself near the National Sports Academy (NSA) Training Centre, where he can provide guidance and support to his daughters. However, their separate training sessions, conducted in the early morning hours, don't go unnoticed by the authorities, who ultimately ban both Geeta and Babita from competing, as well as Mahavir from being involved with the NSA.

Undeterred, Mahavir pivots, leveraging video recordings of Geeta's international matches to offer expert analysis and coaching over the phone. As the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi draw near, Geeta is determined to make a statement in her usual 55-kg weight group. With Mahavir's guidance, she navigates the competition, winning her way to the finals. In a press conference preceding the final match, the coach tries to claim all the credit, but Geeta deftly deflects attention onto her father's tireless efforts, sparking a mixture of envy and ire from the coach. As Geeta prepares to face off in the championship match, Mahavir finds himself locked out of the venue, his influence curtailed by the coach's cunning move.

As the wrestling match unfolds, Geeta's mental fortitude is tested as she draws upon the wisdom imparted by her father. The contest proves to be a grueling one, with Geeta ultimately emerging victorious in the 55 kg freestyle category, securing India's maiden gold medal in women's wrestling against Emily Bensted from Australia. As the medal ceremony concludes and the customary playing of the winning country's national anthem commences, Mahavir is overcome with emotion as he intuitively comprehends that his daughter has finally achieved the dream he had long cherished for her. The room falls silent, its doors to collective memory unlocking, and Mahavir makes a beeline for the arena with an unbridled sense of pride. As Geeta presents him with the coveted gold medal, it marks the first time that the entire family - including Omkar, their nephew - has borne witness to their father's long-awaited expression of joy and approval: "Well-done!"