It’s not hard to imagine this ad as a truncated version of wrestler Geeta Phogat’s life. In case you need to jog your memory: Geeta comes from a small town in Haryana, and managed to score the first gold in women’s wrestling for India, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. And the Jat firebrand has two more golds to her credit. (You’d be excused if you only know her from her appearance on Satyamev Jayate.)
Shots of Phogat pumping iron are set to a monologue by a man defining exactly what a woman can and cannot do. Phogat carefully defies everything he says, making your chest puff with pride. Now IRL, you can safely replace the sexist rant with her ever-supportive father and coach Mahavir Phogat’s pep talk – other odds being the same. The point is her story is an inspiring, faith-restoring exception. And this ad – even if it comes five years too late – reminds you just how desperately we need more of these.
