Dangal ready to thrill audience

Dangal Bollywood

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ASIAN film drama will burst into action this week when Oldham's new Odeon cinema screens a major new Disney 'Bollywood' blockbuster.

The new town-centre cinema is among a number of selected Odeons across the UK screening Dangal, which tells the true story of a father training his daughters to become wrestlers.

Other major films over the festive period include the new Star Wars epic, Rogue One, JK Rowling's Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, Moana and Passenger.

The new cinema is open throughout the holiday season including Christmas Day along with other selected Odeons in locations including Manchester, Leeds-Bradford, Glasgow, Leicester and London.

Dangal, meaning 'wrestling competition', runs from December 23 to 29.

Superstar Bollywood actor Aamir Khan plays the role of father Mahavir Singh Phogat, a wrestling coach who has no sons to carry on his legacy. So instead, he trains his daughters to take up the sport.

Despite facing huge opposition from people who think wrestling is unsuitable for girls, he is determined to give his daughters the opportunity to prove themselves. The girls finally get their chance at the Commonwealth Games.

The daughters are played by Fatima Sana Shaikh, an Indian actress, dancer and photographer; and Sanya Malhotra, a ballet dancer who makes her Bollywood debut in Dangal.

The film is in Hindi, subtitled in English and features dramatic music, which is one of the characteristics of Indian films and is used to cross over language barriers.

The music in Dangal is by Pritam, an Indian music director, composer, singer, instrumentalist and record producer. He mixes classical Indian and western styles, and has composed music for over 100 Bollywood films. He has won numerous awards and his songs have also topped Asian music charts.

Other films include Rogue One, which is set within the Star Wars universe and is the first stand-alone film in the anthology series. It stars actor Felicity Jones who plays Jyn Erso.

Odeon is opening 20 UK cinemas Christmas Day following the success of similar openings last year.

Paul Dagg, general manager at the Oldham Odeon said: "The festive film slate is mouth-watering to say the least, from new Bollywood hits to Hollywood blockbusters. We're excited to open our doors to film fans throughout the festive period, and hope all guests who join us on Christmas Day have a wonderful time enjoying the latest releases."