‘If Aamir Khan tweets…’: Mahavir Phogat invites Dangal star to support wrestlers’ protest, but admits he doesn’t expect much from actors

Former wrestler Mahavir Phogat invited Aamir Khan to support the ongoing protest against WFI chief Brij Bhushan.

New Delhi | May 3, 2023 12:01 PM IST

2 min read

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Aamir Khan's Dangal grossed more than Rs 2000 crore worldwide.

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Former wrestler and father of the Phogat sisters, Mahavir Phogat has said that he doesn’t expect actors to voice their support for the ongoing protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual misconduct. But, he said, the protesters would appreciate words of support from Aamir Khan. Aamir played Mahavir Phogat in the global smash hit film Dangal, in which the sisters Babita and Geeta Phogat were played by Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh.

“I don’t have expectations from any stars but if he (Aamir Khan) tweets in support, we would like it,” Mahavir Phogat told India Today. Aamir had previously interviewed the Phogat sisters on his show Satyamev Jayate in 2014. The actor has so far remained mum on the matter, although he recently attended the 100th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat address in New Delhi.

Also read | Phogat, Malik, Punia to not immerse their medals in Ganga for now: What has happened so far at the wrestlers’ protests

Brij Bhushan has been accused of sexual harassment by wrestlers protesting currently at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. An investigation into the allegations was conducted by a committee overseen by Olympian Mary Kom, but it yielded unsatisfactory results, according to Phogat. “There was a dharna in January as well. We wanted to inform the sports minister, BJP chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the situation. They would have resolved the issue. A committee was formed (to probe the charges) but it did not do justice and no report was filed,” he said, adding, “There is no politics over the issue. The allegation that my family is trying to usurp power is false. Our family is together. We won’t take any position in WFI,” he said.

“This is a do-or-die situation. We will sit on dharna till we get justice. We are united in this fight. Babita (Phogat) is also part of this fight,” he added.

The film Dangal went on to gross more than Rs 2000 crore worldwide, and was particularly popular in China.

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