Discovery+ has launched an informative and investigative documentary series named Dangals of Crime- The Untold Truth About Indian Wrestling today. It aims to showcase the phenomenal rise of wrestling in India as a competitive sport while exploring the dark past of crime associated with it. Former wrestlers and coaches, eminent sports journalists, and law enforcement officials also share their experiences, insights and memories, making the two-part series a thrilling watch for sports, crime and history genre audiences.
One of India’s most successful Olympic sports in terms of medals won at the Summer Olympics, wrestling’s popularity reached great heights after iconic wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt won three medals collectively across two successive Olympic Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). The series has been produced by Vice Studios Production and directed by award winning director Niyantha Shekar. It showcases this journey towards success and highlights the traditional akhada culture, strict discipline and the unparalleled devotion necessary to become a champion wrestler. Dangals of Crime also highlights two key points, showcasing how the sport of wrestling on one hand has been instrumental in bringing sporting laurels for India, but also how it has been witness to some dark moments which overshadow it’s glorious journey and malign the sport and its athletes.
Among notable former coaches and wrestlers whose views are showcased in the documentary are Satbir Singh, Virender Kumar, Anil Mann and Ramphal Mann, amongst others.
