Vinesh Phogat, an Olympian and Mahavir Singh Phogat’s relative, says that his uncle Mahavir Singh Phogat was 10 times stricter than what Aamir Khan had portrayed in the movie. He also says that he is amused with the response the movie has got. The movie “Dangal” is a story based on Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters and niece. With the widespread success of the movie, people want to more about the real life Mahavir Singh Phogat.
“It’s kind of strange that how much more popular the entire Phogat clan has become post release of Dangal. But what surprises me is the media frenzy post film release. I think the media that came with Aamir sir during Geeta di’s marriage outnumbered the ones who came after Sakshi (Malik) won bronze,” a smiling Vinesh told.
“Actually, I am so busy with my rehab at the JSW set up in Bengaluru that I have not been able to watch the film till now. Aamir sir had requested me to come to Mumbai for the premiere but I had to give it a miss as it would have hampered my rehab routine,” said the talented cousin of Geeta and Babita, and who got injured during the Rio Olympics.
‘Bapu hanikarak’ (harmful father) is one of the hit numbers of the sports film that highlights the struggles faced by Vinesh’s cousins, Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari (daughters of Mahavir), while training to become acclaimed wrestlers.
When asked whether Mahavir Phogat was as strict as shown in the film, Vinesh laughed and said: “He was 10 times stricter than what I have been told has been shown in the film. He was at a different level. And obviously, at the India camp, it is very different kind of training than what we learnt at home. Under tauji (uncle), it was exercise and strength training in the morning and mat training during evenings. At India camp, it’s very different and according to need of each wrestler,” said Vinesh.
Vinesh is eyeing the Asian Championship in New Delhi as her comeback tournament as she nears the end of her rehab schedule. “The doctors told me I could train from January but I would like to be 100 percent confident about my recovery. We have trials in March. Hope I am able to make the cut then,” she said.
Is the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast her next target and she would quickly counter: “I already have a CWG medal so I don’t want to have the same target. The target is only Tokyo 2020.”
These girls seem to have more enthusiasm about the sport than what we see in the movie. They give real hope and inspiration to women all across the globe with their achievements and their future goals. Here’s wishing all the best for whatever is stored in the coming days.