Was Geeta Phogat#39;s Coach in the NSA as Shown in the 2016 Movie Dangal?

The 2016 Bollywood blockbuster Dangal has sparked much debate, particularly regarding the depiction of Geeta Phogat's coach. The film paints a picture of Mahavir Singh Phogat as a passionate, yet occasionally harsh, coach who trained his daughters Geeta and Babita in wrestling. However, the coaching role portrayed in the movie differs significantly from reality, according to the real-life coach, PR Sondhi.

On-Screen Representation

In Dangal, Mahavir Singh Phogat, played by Aamir Khan, trains Geeta and Babita as a grassroots coach at home. While the film accurately portrays the training environment, it takes creative liberties to enhance the dramatic impact. For instance, in the movie, Geeta's coach is shown to confine her in a room during her final match at the Commonwealth Games 2010. This depiction is not based on factual events, as PR Sondhi, the real coach, argues.

Real-World Perspective

While Mahavir Sing Phogat is depicted as Geeta's coach in the film, he was not officially associated with the National Sports Academy (NSA). PR Sondhi, the actual coach, explains that he trained Geeta and Babita at home. He emphasizes that while he was a significant part of their wrestling journey, his methods were not as extreme as shown in the movie:

“Dangal would make people believe that how low a person had stooped to fulfill his own deeds. It’s baseless whatever shown in the film is not true. I have not seen the film yet but the facts told to me by my students highlight things that I didn’t do.”

PR Sondhi

Reactions and Discrepancies

PR Sondhi has expressed dissatisfaction with the film's portrayal, especially in how the coach is depicted. He emphasizes the fictional elements introduced to spice up the drama:

“Mahavirji is an old friend. Nothing like that happened during the Delhi Commonwealth Games as shown in the film. Geeta won Gold in my coaching and Babita bagged silver. But I still don’t understand why I was portrayed in such a negative manner in the film.”

PR Sondhi

He plans to take steps to address the misrepresentation in the movie. In a recent interview, he stated:

“I don’t want anything but I want to make Aamir Khan realize that if he is giving a coach’s role to somebody he should have spoken to me before the movie was made.”

Mr. Sondhi's frustration is not limited to the coach's portrayal; he is also upset with the representation of the NSA. In an interview, he expressed his disappointment, saying:

“I treated Geeta as my own daughter. I am shocked that the no one from the Phogat family protested against the treatment given to my character. I have decided to cut all ties with them for the good.”

Conclusion

The portrayal of Geeta Phogat's coach in Dangal is a subject of controversy. While the film accurately captures the initial training environment and the dedication of the coach, it also introduces fictional elements to enhance the dramatic impact. Such discrepancies have led to dissatisfaction among the real-life coach and others involved. It raises questions about the balance between artistic license and factual accuracy in biographical films.