Discovery+ on Friday is all set to launch docuseries Dangals of Crime- The Untold Truth about Indian Wrestling. The series shows the rise of wrestling in India and also notes the dark unspoken side of this profession associated with crime. Former wrestlers and coaches, eminent sports journalists and law enforcement officials share their experiences, insights and their dark memories in the two-part Dangals of Crime.
Wrestling is India’s most successful individual sport in accordance with the number of medals won at the Summer Olympics (seven), wrestling’s reached its highest peak after Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt won three medals together in two successive games namely, in Beijing (2008) and London (2012). The former has been accused and investigated in connection with a murder case.
The docuseries has been produced by Vice Studios Production and directed by Niyantha Shekar. It displays the journey towards success and highlights the deep-rooted “akhada culture”, strict discipline and unparalleled determination of champion wrestlers. Notable former coaches and wrestlers featured in the series are Satbir Singh, Virender Kumar, Anil Mann and Ramphal Mann.
With Aamir Khan’s Dangal film released in 2016, the sport made it to mainstream pop culture. The film told the story of champion wrestler sisters Geeta and Babita Phogat. The film was directed by Nitesh Tiwari and is one of the highest-grossing films of Bollywood even after the time of demonetization. In 2021, Netflix debuted three shows–Bad Boy Billionaires, House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths, and Crime Stories: India Detectives.
