8 years of Dangal: Here's why Aamir Khan, Nitesh Tiwari's sports drama will always be iconic

In 2016, Aamir Khan brought to life the story of Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, India's first world-class female wrestlers, and their father, Mahavir Singh Phogat, an Indian amateur wrestler. Nitesh Tiwari directed this cinematic treasure, which also starred Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, Suhani Bhatnagar, Aparshakti Khurana, Ritvik Sahore, and Sakshi Tanwar. Nitesh Tiwari used his best filming abilities to precisely frame the story. He did it all, from getting the best performance out of the performers to fully executing the script.

Iconic Performance: Aamir Khan's performance as Mahavir Singh Phogat, a pehlwani amateur wrestler, was excellent, bringing the role to life. He perfectly justified his identity as "Mr. Perfectionist," embracing even the smallest elements of the character and delivering an outstanding performance.

Women Empowerment: Dangal told the inspiring story of India's first world-class female wrestlers, Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari. The film not only showcased women's strength and resolve to control the world, but it also played an important part in motivating many people with its strong plot. It was made tax-free in six Indian states—Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh—to promote Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, a Government of India social initiative aiming at eliminating selective abortion of females, protecting girls, and educating them."

Global Recognition: While Dangal was hugely popular in India, it also made a splash beyond. It debuted in the United States on December 21, 2016, and globally on December 23, 2016. The film's second phase of release focused on Chinese markets in East Asia, beginning with Taiwan on March 24, 2017. Dangal was also screened at the 7th Beijing International Film Festival, making it the first Indian film to be included in the non-competing panoramic section. Shuaijiao Baba (Let's Wrestle, Father!) won a standing ovation at the event.

Platform for good debuts: Dangal launched the careers of several great performers, including Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, Suhani Bhatnagar, and Aparshakti Khurana. Sanya Malhotra as Babita Kumari, Zaira Wasim as Geeta Phogat, Suhani Bhatnagar as Babita Kumari, and Aparshakti Khurana as Omkar Singh Phogat, Mahavir's nephew. Their outstanding results in Dangal proved to be an excellent starting point.

Iconic Album: Dangal has a fantastic soundtrack with songs that elicit a wide range of emotions, from inspiration and humour to energy and nostalgia. The album has chartbusters such as Haanikaarak Bapu, Dhaakad, Gilehriyaan, Dangal, Naina, and Idiot Banna. Because of the film's enormous popularity in China and Japan, the soundtrack album was released in Japan on April 13, 2018, by Rambling Records.

Direction: Nitesh Tiwari's superb direction captures the heart of the story while remaining entertaining and cinematic. His ability to elicit nuanced performances from the cast while narrating a complex, emotional journey makes the film extremely compelling. Tiwari's delicate balance of drama and sporting excitement captivates the audience.

Film With A Message: Dangal gave the biggest lessons of all time. Not only did the film stand by 'Chooriyan Choron se kam hain ke' but also motivated girls to enter sports. The film laid the perfect foundation for letting parents go off their affirmations based on old teaching and become open to gender based changes of all forms.