Real-time notes, from the first 10-20 minutes of the film. What’s great about Dangal is the excellent use of tension, as well as its brutal efficiency. Not a single minute of screen time is wasted.
(1:50: film finally starts)
2m: India, old style TV; tension: at what angle will the signal come in? What will show on the TV?
15s: International wrestling, MC intro
45s: India can win medals, if anyone supports them
1m: Conflict with a big tall wrestler; MC’s combative personality
4m: Victory, more character: sportsmanship
6m: dangal concept and lifestyle, establish environment properly
8m: MC’s past: glory days, and big life decision to get a job + the struggle of indian sportspeople
8:45: wife is pregnant, he has a new dream of making his son a world champion
9:45: [humor] the whole village is now trying to help have a son
10:45: failed to have another son
11:10: (humor) the village blames him for not following instructions
11:45: MC’s adamant that he wants a son.
Time lapse
12m: MC is now older
12:45: given up on dream, introduce daughters
13:00: girls’ situation are learning to cook, helping with housework
14:00: quiet resignation: turning away from the sport, not even helping or watching anymore, jealous of others who have sons
14:20: BIG TWIST (show a transition face)
15:00: daughters have badly beaten up two guys
17:20: BIG DECISION: daughters will no longer be girls, will learn to wrestle and get him a gold medal
