Dangals of Crime trailer: Discovery+ series explores wrestler Sushil Kumar’s descent into crime 

By far India’s most successful individual sport in terms of medals won at the Summer Olympics (seven), wrestling’s popularity reached a crescendo after Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt won three medals collectively across two successive games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). Kumar is being investigated in connection with a murder case.

The docuseries, produced by Vice Studios Production and directed by Niyantha Shekar, showcases this journey towards success and highlights the deep-rooted ‘akhada’ culture, strict discipline and the unparalleled devotion that goes into making a champion wrestler. Among notable former coaches and wrestlers featured in the series are Satbir Singh, Virender Kumar, Anil Mann and Ramphal Mann.

Wrestling went mainstream in pop-culture after the release of Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, which told the story of champion sisters Geeta and Babita Phogat. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Dangal is the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, unadjusted for inflation.

True crime is a relatively untapped genre in Indian streaming, despite its success internationally. Last year, Netflix debuted three shows–Bad Boy Billionaires, House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths, and Crime Stories: India Detectives.