Rating: 3.5/5
Some women are told to change themselves to fit society. Hetal Dave chooses to change the game instead. Sumo Didi, streaming on Zee 5, is a Hindi biographical sports drama directed by Jayant Rohatgi. Based on the life of India’s first professional female sumo wrestler, the film explores body-shaming, family pressure and the courage to pursue an unconventional sporting dream.
The story follows Hetal (Shriyam Bhagnani), a state-level judo champion who discovers sumo wrestling and dreams of representing India internationally. While her mother, Sudha (Anubha Fatehpuriya), worries about her weight and marriage prospects, her father, Rajendra (Nitesh Pandey), and brother, Vikku (Raghav Dhir), support her ambitions.
Her best friend Akshat (Chaitanya Sharma) also stands by her. Bhagnani brings sincerity and determination to the role, especially during training and wrestling sequences. Sharma adds warmth and humour, Pandey provides emotional strength, and Fatehpuriya convincingly portrays a mother influenced by society’s expectations.
The film’s subject is compelling, but its writing and screenplay do not always do justice to Hetal’s journey. Body-shaming and gender bias are explored effectively, though these themes sometimes overshadow her sporting achievements. The pacing slows in the middle, and some emotional moments and character arcs need greater depth.
Rohatgi’s direction keeps the narrative grounded but lacks the dramatic energy expected from a sports biopic. The wrestling sequences add excitement, while the cinematography captures the shift from Kolkata to Japan. The background score supports the emotional scenes, although the music and dialogues leave limited impact.
Sumo Didi is worth watching for Bhagnani’s committed performance and Hetal Dave’s inspiring real-life story. Despite its predictable screenplay and uneven pacing, the film highlights the importance of challenging social expectations. Fans of biographical dramas and stories about women breaking barriers may find it worth their time.
Should you watch Sumo Didi?
Sumo Didi has an inspiring real-life story at its heart, but uneven pacing and a predictable screenplay keep it from reaching its full potential. Shriyam Bhagnani’s performance makes the journey worth watching, especially for viewers who enjoy sports dramas about women breaking barriers.
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