Aamir Khan's Dangal trailer has finally exploded on the internet, and it looks stunning. The actor pulls his weight, literally and metaphorically, in a film that has been lauded by many in the industry. The trailer offers glimpses of the storyline of famed wrestler Mahavir Phogat who trained his daughters, Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari. The trailer stands true to the promise of challenging gender stereotypes by projecting the daughters as the main 'heroes' of the film.
The takeaway though is the casting for the film. Suhani Bhatnagar and Zaira Wasim, who play the young Babita Kumari and Geeta Phogat, as well as Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra who play the older versions look to have got the characters' personalities in place. The girls have certainly got the smashing wrestling moves down to the 'T'. From the trailer, the film does promise some real, bone-crunching wrestling moves. Sakshi Tanwar looks effective as the housewife struggling with her husband's ambitions. However, it is Khan who shows an intense and revelatory turn with his transformation from a father wishing for a son, to discovering that his daughters are just as good, if not better.
The actor's physical transformation as a pehelwan has earned praise, and the trailer offers some tantalising glimpses into Khan as a young Mahavir Phogat. Yet, it is his intense looks, and conviction that makes a lasting impression. In the end, when Khan delivers the tagline of the film, 'Hamaari choriyaan chhoron se kam hai ke', it is hard not to feel the goosebumps.
Dangal is produced by Disney World Cinema and Aamir Khan Productions, and is set to release on 23 December.