Aamir Khan’s ‘DANGAL’ (2017) Trailer Is Everything We Expected And More

Waiting over 2 years for an Aamir Khan movie is no big deal. But his latest project invoked a lot of curiosity, because during the wait, Aamir Khan gained unhealthy amounts of weight, then dropped it, released a questionable teaser poster and all it did was pique our curiousity even more so than usual. Now all of that can be laid to rest as the official trailer for the movie has been released, and it's awesome!

See the Trailer for Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' below, and read on to know all about the movie.

Based on a true story, 'Dangal' features the story of Mahavir Singh Phogat (Aamir Khan) an Olympic wrestler who fails to win Gold medal for India, which leads him to aspire to train his own son to be a Gold Medalist Wrestler. However, after becoming father to four daughters, it seems his hopes have been dashed as he believes only a son can compete in the physically demanding sport. It's good to note that both the character and the setting of the movie is in rural India, hence the sexist idealogies.

When an incident convinces Phogat that his daughters may be just as tough as any son, he begins training them for the journey to Gold Medals in Wrestling, through extreme and very questionable methods. The movie seems to be as much about the daughters as it is about Phogat himself, and it touches some appropriate themes through out the Trailer.

'Dangal' is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, whose previous films haven't been anywhere near the scale of this one, mostly being comedies like 'Bhootnath Returns'. The 'Dangal' writing team consists of the same writers as 'Kill Dil' (my Review) and 'Bhootnath Returns'. Produced by Khan and his wife, as well as UTV Motion Pictures and Disney, 'Dangal' is one of the most anticipated movies of this year, as discussed on an episode of my Podcast.

The trailer is, in short, impeccable. Khan's dialogue throughout has been intercut between many different sequences in the movie, as we see Aamir Khan in quite a few different looks as he speaks. Therefore it's difficult to figure out any definite chronological sequence of events based on the lines. The reason for the multiple avatars seems to be because the movie spans multiple phases of Phogat's life.

At the peak of his physical fitness, then as a mature father to be, followed by a sort of middle aged man who's let himself go, and finally the white haired elderly father of teenage daughters. While critics of Khan's drastic physical changes always mention that it's all a novelty and gimmick to ensure more PR for the film, the trailer makes it very obvious why it's necessary.

Showing the character in different fitness levels, truly makes you believe that we're experiencing different parts of his life, and not just the usual movie aging process that involves messy hair for a young look and dyed hair with glasses for an older look. Khan really goes the distance in order to realistically convey the differences in his age, as well as his emotional status during each phase; going from a prospective Gold Medalist to a failed father who finds purpose in his life again.

Aamir Khan in the last phase of shooting 'Dangal'...

'Dangal' looks to be an epic movie with a massive story that features the main character's emotional growth to see his daughters as more than mere burdens on his family. It's interesting that Phogat changes his mind about his perceptions of gender roles, believing his daughters can successfully compete in a male driven sport, after spending years thinking the opposite. But it also raises questions of how that affects the daughters themselves. They're seen in shorter hair through out most of the Trailer as they train to be Wrestlers, and are treated quite harshly by their father, both emotionally and physically.

'Dangal' has the opportunity to showcase a progressive depiction of women and their treatment in smaller rural village of India. If not, there's also the chance of discussing the harsh reality of treading the fine line between a traditional mindset that isn't intentionally malicious, and the damaging mysoginistic nature of certain attitudes in the country.

Phogat initially seems to think only a son can achieve his dreams, but sees the strength in his daughters to change that viewpoint. Through out the trailer, he also as much undermines women at times, but also praises their capabilities. However, he also seems to achieve this by treating his daughter more like sons, denying them any break from their training, or any other enjoyment in life. So I hope the story discusses that, and doesn't just cloak it in a veil of necessary sports training methods.

Ther performances of the movie look undeniably strong. It's a little odd though, that for such a mainstream Bollywood movie, there are very few familiar faces in the supporting cast. The actresses playing two of Phogat's daughters who come off as the most prominent in the trailers, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra, are relatively unknown. However after their performances in 'Dangal', that should definitely change.

'Dangal' releases December 23rd, 2016.

Are you excited for 'Dangal' after the trailer?

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