Sultan

 

Sultan is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language sports drama film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, the film stars Salman Khan as the title character opposite Anushka Sharma. The film focuses on Sultan Ali Khan, a fictional pehlwani wrestler and former world wrestling champion from Haryana whose successful career has created a rift in his personal life.

The film was released worldwide on 6 July 2016. It has grossed ₹623.33 crore ($89 million) worldwide, and was one of the top five highest-grossing Indian films ever.

Plot

Sultan Ali Khan is a middle-aged Jat pehlwani wrestler and ex-wrestling champion living a lonely life in a small town in Haryana. Aakash Oberoi, the founder of a private mixed martial arts league backed by Mr. Patel, is encouraged by his father to recruit Sultan to salvage its popularity. After traveling to Haryana, he offers Sultan, who bluntly refuses and says that he has completely retired from wrestling. In search of the reason behind his retirement, Aakash confronts Sultan's close friend Govind, who narrates how Sultan's career began. In 2008, Sultan fell in love at the sight of Aarfa Hussain, a state-level wrestler and the daughter of a local wrestling coach. Although she is initially cold towards him, she accepts Sultan as a friend. When he claims that they are committed, she insults him, saying she would only marry a well-trained wrestler. Determined to win her respect, Sultan dedicates himself to intense training and ultimately wins a state-level wrestling tournament, as well as Aarfa. The two get married and become recognized wrestlers, representing India in various international games. When the two are selected for the Olympic contingent, Aarfa discovers that she's pregnant. She gives up her childhood dream of winning an Olympic gold medal for India, which Sultan then fulfills. To her surprise, Sultan's accomplishment makes him arrogant, and he slaps a reporter at an event. He also leaves Aarfa nearing her due date to win gold at Turkey. Upon returning, he finds that his newborn son had died due to severe anemia. The baby had a rare O- blood type, identical to Sultan's, whose absence deprived the child of a donor. Angered, Aarfa decides to leave Sultan and reside with her father. Depressed from losing his wife and child, Sultan raises funds to open a blood bank of his son's name. In the present day, Aakash promises Sultan that the tournament's prize money will fulfill his dream of opening a blood bank. Sultan agrees to participate and travels to train in Delhi, where Aakash introduces him to MMA coach Fateh Singh who initially refuses him but agrees after seeing his determination. After two months of training, Sultan regains his physique and learns how to wrestle freestyle. In his first fight, Sultan defeats the opponent using his iconic wrestling style. He soon becomes a nationwide sensation by winning a series of matches and gaining Aarfa's support in the process. During the semi-final round, Sultan wins the fight but is severely injured and has to be hospitalized. The doctor informs Aakash that Sultan should not fight again lest his injuries become fatal. Aarfa arrives at the ward and motivates him to continue fighting. During the final match, Sultan overcomes his pain to defeat his opponent and ultimately wins the tournament. Reunited with his wife, Sultan opens a blood bank using the prize money, and Aarfa resumes wrestling. A few years later, she gives birth to a baby girl, whom Sultan begins to train as a wrestler.

 

Cast

·         Salman Khan as Sultan Ali Khan, Aarfa's husband

·         Anushka Sharma as Aarfa Ali Khan (née Hussain), Sultan's wife

·         Randeep Hooda as Fateh Singh, Sultan's coach

·         Amit Sadh as Aakash Oberoi, Pro Takedown founder and Sultan's presenter

·         Murari Lal Pareek

·         Marko Zaror as Marcus (Finalist Wrestler)

·         Naveen Ohlyan as Sultan's father

·         Tyron Woodley as Tyron (Himself) (wrestler)

·         Marrese Crump as Marrese (Himself) (wrestler)

·         Kumud Mishra as Barkat Hussain, Aarfa's father; Sultan's father-in-law

·         Suzi Khan as Sultan & Aarfa's daughter

·         Sumeet Samnani as Tiny Kukreja, Sultan's sponsor

·         Anant Vidhaat as Govind, Sultan's friend

·         Ivan Rodrigues as Mr. Patel

·         Karmveer Choudhary as Haryana government sports officer

·         Parikshat Sahni as Gyan Singh Oberoi, Akash’s father

·         Ashish Raja as Rajveer

·         Arwind Wahi as Inter State Coach

·         Himanshu Bhutiyani as Doctor Safdurjang

·         Meiyang Chang as himself (commnetator)

·         Kubra Sait as herself (anchor/commentator)

·         Shibani Dandekar as herself

·         Candice Redding as a Band member in 'Jag Ghoomeya'

·         Amit Raj (Guest appearance)