One of the greatest compliments I can give a film is that, before it is even over, I’m already looking forward to watching it again. That happened with Sumo Didi, and it happened before the first 30 minutes were even complete. This brilliant, compelling film, with outstanding performances from the entire cast, moved me, made me smile, and left me applauding loudly as it faded to black. It is an incredible sports biography, but what makes it even more special is that it is enhanced by its emotional heartbeat. We see the main character’s struggle, but we also got to enjoy seeing the laughter, the lightness, and the love. There’s such realness in every reel… but I am getting ahead of myself; let’s set the stage.
Sumo Didi tells the true life story of Hetal Dave, India’s first professional female sumo wrestler, who dared to follow an unconventional path in a sport unrecognized in India. Directed by Jayant Rohatgi, the film follows Hetal as she navigates societal expectations, body shaming, and pressure to fit conventional ideas of how a woman should look and live. Her discovery of sumo wrestling, however, gives her a new direction, letting her channel her strength into a sport that challenges her physical limits, mental strength, and social perceptions. What happens? Well, you will have to watch it to find out.
The story offers a look into Hetal’s world. We see her struggle as she fights her own doubts and the expectations placed on her by society. We feel her pain as she strives to be seen as her true self, as Hetal. We follow her as she focuses her anger into her sport, and the growth she must undergo to truly understand the melding of mind, body, and spirit in the sport she so bravely took on. We also see her brother and father’s support, her mother’s worry, and her friend and coach, Akshat’s unwavering devotion. It is a slice-of-life story that tells an inspiring tale in a wonderful way. Her triumph on many levels is a masterstroke. It is outstanding.
The ebb and flow of the story and the filmography is really well done. With a mix of emotional moments, smiles, triumphs and defeats, training montages, and matches, this film is shot in such an affecting manner. Even the inclusion of the arty, mood-establishing shots works well. The pace stays sprightly, and it works. Just enough of the outside influences, the inner battles, her search for her way in a world she knows nothing about, and the final battle (no spoilers) create an incredibly inspiring and enjoyable movie-watching experience.
However, it is the performances that give this film its depth and brilliance.
Nitesh Pandey plays Hetal’s father, and he is incredible. His belief in his daughter and his fight to help her go beyond society’s “norms” is a sight to see. You can see the settlement in his eyes for his life and the spark that he gets for her. His eyes speak volumes, and he is fantastic.
Anubha Fatehpuriya, as Hetal’s mother, plays her with a completely loving emotional underlay, but overshadowed by her fear of being judged by society. Sometimes she looks so lost as she tries to understand her only daughter’s dreams. Her performance is so real. She is terrific.
Raghav Dhir, as her brother Vikku, doesn’t say much, but he makes his mark. He brings comedy and lightness to the story, and his performance adds another layer that draws you into this world. He is perfect.
Kazumasa Sato, a former professional Japanese Sumo wrestler, plays the Sumo sensei Taoshi. He adds depth to this world, and his performance isn’t that of a Japanese actor portraying Taoshi; he is completely Taoshi. You never doubt who he is and his purpose. I love the flashes in his eyes, even when he doesn’t speak.
Chaitanya Sharma is so earnest, so true, so perfect as Akshat. He is her support, but he is the strength too. Every line and emotion is delivered with sincerity, and again he is Akshat, not an actor portraying a character. Without him, the movie definitely would be less so; bravo!
Shriyam Bhagnani is stupendous, brilliant, outstanding, and deserves endless praise. Her complete immersion into this character is one to be studied. The raw honesty, the real emotion, the pain, the anger, the struggle, the fight she had, never felt forced or just portrayed. She was Hetal. Her smile was a light, and every moment was so real. I cannot imagine what she went through to prepare for this role, but her performance proves it was worth it. She had me so immersed in Hetal’s story that I found myself clutching my hands, saying “aww” out loud, and cheering! I could say much more, but you need to experience her performance as Hetal for yourself. I will end with: It truly is one of the best performances I have seen this year! Brava!!
Are there things I could nitpick about? Of course, but they were small in comparison to how much I truly enjoyed watching this movie.
I find Hetal Dave’s story completely inspiring, and I am thrilled this movie brings it to life so brilliantly.
I highly recommend you watch this film. I know that, like me and my family, who also thoroughly enjoyed it when I watched it again with them on Z5; you will get completely involved in this story and, in the end, will cheer for Shriyam, for Hetal, and the excellence of the film!
