Babita Phogat reveals Phogat family got ₹1 crore for Dangal despite ₹2,000 crore box office

In a candid interview, Babita Phogat revealed the Phogat family was paid ₹1 crore for Dangal rights, despite the film grossing around ₹2,000 crore globally. The 2016 film, starring Aamir Khan, chronicled the life of her father, Mahavir Singh Phogat, and the wrestling journey of his daughters, Geeta and Babita. While Dangal became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, the Phogat family’s financial gain was a fraction of the movie’s earnings.

Babita clarified that the deal was made during the scripting stage with director Nitesh Tiwari’s team, well before Aamir Khan came on board as both producer and actor. When asked if the family received ₹20 crore, Babita responded that it was less than half of 1%, equating to ₹1 crore. Mahavir Singh Phogat, however, prioritized respect and recognition over financial compensation. Babita shared that Aamir’s team even suggested fictionalizing the family’s names in the movie, but her father insisted on keeping their real names to honor their legacy.

Babita also disclosed that after Dangal became a global success, her father proposed opening a wrestling academy in Haryana in collaboration with Aamir Khan’s team. Unfortunately, despite initial discussions, the project never materialized, leaving the family with only the original compensation. Dangal, co-produced by UTV Motion Pictures and Aamir Khan Productions, became a landmark film, but Babita maintains that her family's recognition came more from the people than from the film itself.