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'Dangal' wrestles its way into Chinese moviegoers' hearts
CULTURE
By Gao Yun

2017-05-23 19:52 GMT+8

By CGTN's Shen Li, Yang Ran

A Bollywood film about a father who trains his daughters to become world-class wrestlers has broken a box office record in China, with its focus on the equality between the sexes and tough love has resonated with audiences. In the two and a half weeks since it opened, the movie "Dangal" has raked in 776 million yuan (about 112 million US dollars). And that makes it the highest-grossing Bollywood film in China.

Aamir Khan promotes “Dangal” at the 2017 Beijing Film Festival /VCG Photo

The Indian movie, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is based on the true story of wrestling coach Mahavir Singh Phogat, who defies the odds by raising his daughters Geeta and Babita to become champion wrestlers. And indeed do they defy the odds, Geeta wins a gold medal for India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, while her sister tops the podium at the same event in 2014.

The low-budget film, which trumpets gender equality, grossed nearly 100 million yuan, or 70 million dollars, in a single day in China on May 13, and its current attendance at cinemas has exceeded that of Disney and Marvel's "Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2" released on the same day, May 5.

"Dangal" is rated 9.2 out of 10 on Douban, a popular film review website in China.

Aamir Khan, who stars as the determined father, has won himself much online acclaim. He was best known in China for the 2009 Bollywood comedy "Three Idiots."

A still of "Three Idiots". /VCG Photo

Aside from the well-written storyline and compelling acting, the ideas of breaking gender roles and reforming education - which play a central role in the film - have struck a chord with many Chinese parents.

One Chinese microblogger said on Weibo: "Chinese filmmakers could learn from the film's storytelling to improve the quality of domestic films and arouse emotional responses from the audience".

With less of the traditional group dancing and singing scenes prevalent in Bollywood films, "Dangal" has changed many viewers' impressions on Indian films.

Indian films have long been appreciated by Chinese audiences for their lively mix of drama with music and dance. "Awaara" and "Caravan" are still remembered by many as classics.

 Aamir Khan. /VCG Photo

At the 2017 Beijing International Film Festival that concluded last month, Khan said he wants to co-produce a film in China

He said he is studying the Chinese culture and how Chinese films tell stories, and wants to experience different Chinese regions.

In recent years, the two Asian giants China and India have strengthened cooperation in the film industry, signing agreements to encourage co-production, mutual imports and investment.

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