Bally, Howrah

Nabanita Das, a 21-year-old wrestler, is on her way home after practice when two boys pick on her. "Why do you dress up like boys and play their sport? You like boys?" they taunt her.

This continues for a couple of days despite Nabanita telling the duo to mind their own business. When they refuse to listen, she bashes them up.

Balali, Haryana

Two village boys abuse Geeta and Babita, daughters of wrestler Mahavir Phogat, and the sisters beat the hell out of them.

Dec. 23: Nabanita Das, one of Bengal's best female wrestlers, would have remembered what she did one day in 2015 as she watched an afternoon show of the Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal with Metro at INOX, Liluah, today.

Fists clenched and face tense during the wrestling bouts on screen, Nabanita would jump in her seat every time one of the on-screen Phogat sisters came from behind to rout an opponent. The film tells the real-life story of how former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, played by Aamir, battled financial hardship and social prejudice to train and encourage his daughters Geeta and Babita into becoming champions in the sport.

Nabanita's life is following the same trajectory. Her father runs a tea stall and she has to work part-time as a civic police volunteer to help him support the family even as she pursues her dream of being a top wrestler.

The 22-year-old, who finished in the top 10 in this year's national championships in Uttar Pradesh, couldn't stop smiling as she stepped out of the theatre. "Several parts of the film reflect my life. The two girls were mind-blowing," she said, stopping to strike a pose in front of a poster.

"I would give the film a 9 out of 10," declared Nabanita as she dissected Dangal for Metro.

The moves

If Dangal looks realistic, it is because of the manner in which the bouts were filmed. As a wrestler, I could relate to several manoeuvres - locks, throws, pins and submission holds. Throws like the dhobi pachad (shoulder throw named after how a washerman does his job) and Salto (lifting the opponent and throwing in a way that she or he lands on the back) and pins like the Kalajung (a feet-pinning technique) were executed accurately. Credit to both the actresses (Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra) who played Geeta and Babita. They looked like real wrestlers. Their opponents also looked like pros. I recognised one of them - Geeta's rival in the opening bout of the national seniors. She is a wrestler from Uttar Pradesh. I lost to her in the third round of a national tournament.

The taunts

The film shows how neighbours, villagers and everyone around the girls taunted them and their father Mahavir for not choosing the beaten path. The villagers could not stop laughing when the girls had their hair cropped. Mahavir's boss in office refused to grant him leave to accompany Geeta to the sub-junior nationals. I have been through the same phase. In college, an official refused to believe there are camps and tournaments for women wrestlers until he saw my certificates.

The coach

Aamir as the father and hard taskmaster has given a remarkable performance. Our coach Runu Ghoroy is equally strict. If she wants 100 sit-ups, I have to do 100 sit-ups. If I say I am having cramps, she would have none of it. "Finish it. I will take you to the hospital, if needed," she would tell me.

The parents

Mahavir is a hard taskmaster while his wife complains that their children have been robbed of their childhood. But she gradually comes to respect his decision to make successful wrestlers out of their daughters. They are not rich but go out of their way to do what is necessary for the girls. My father runs a tea stall. My mother is a homemaker. But they also go the extra mile for me. My father ensures that I have milk and ghee every day. My dream is their dream.

Inspiration

This film is an eye-opener for people who think women are meant for household chores.

After Sultan's success (Salman Khan plays a wrestler) scores of boys had joined my club (Jorabagan Panchanan Bayam Samity).I hope after watching Dangal, girls will follow suit.

What message do you have for Nabanita? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com