Big-screen moments often look effortless but behind every impactful scene lies careful planning and physical strain. One such moment in the blockbuster film Dangal continues to stay with audiences – the intense wrestling bout where a rival boldly challenges Mahavir Singh Phogat, the character which was played by Aamir Khan. The actor who played that role, Vivan Bhathena, recently opened up about what it actually took to bring that scene to life.
Vivan, who made a special appearance in Dangal, shared his experience during promotions for his latest release, 120 Bahadur. He revealed that although the wrestling sequence looked raw and rough on screen, safety was a priority. The floor used for the scene was not bare stone as it appeared. It had a specially prepared surface with a thin mat layered underneath to reduce the risk of serious injury. Even so, the impact was far from comfortable.
According to Vivan, the setup was designed to absorb just enough shock to prevent damage but not enough to make the fall feel easy. The pain was real and every slam came with a jolt. He explained that wrestling requires technique, not just strength. A key lesson he learned during training was to hold on tightly to Aamir Khan during the throws. Sharing the impact helped distribute the force across both bodies, reducing the shock slightly. Still, the force of the fall was enough to knock the breath out of him, which is why the discomfort and reactions seen in the scene were genuine rather than acted.
Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, tells the inspiring true story of former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters — Geeta and Babita. Unable to fulfill his own dream of winning an international gold medal, Mahavir pours his ambition into training his daughters, defying societal expectations in rural Haryana. The film traces their demanding journey, Geeta’s historic Commonwealth Games gold and the emotional evolution of a strict yet loving father-daughter bond.
With Aamir Khan’s dedicated performance and realistic action, Dangal became more than just a sports film, it became a story rooted in grit, sacrifice and authenticity, both on and off the screen.
