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Sumo Didi

Sumo Didi, streaming on ZEE5, tells the true story of Hetal Dave, India’s first professional female sumo wrestler. Shriyam Bhagnani leads a warm cast through body-shaming, family pressure and a Japan showdown. Predictable in parts, but inspiring and heartfelt. Rating: 3.5/5.

• Released: 24 October 2026
• Runtime: 1h 58m
• Language: Hindi
• Genre: Biography, Drama, Sports
• Director: Jayant Rohatgi
• Cast: Shriyam Bhagnani, Dibyani Das, Raghav Dhir
• Where to watch: Zee5
• Our rating: 7/10

Our review

Sumo Didi, now streaming on ZEE5, tells the real story of Hetal Dave, India’s first professional female sumo wrestler. She turns the body she was mocked for into her greatest strength. After festival runs in Tokyo and Palm Springs, the film arrives on OTT with an empowering message about body positivity, family expectations and self-belief. Shriyam Bhagnani leads a warm ensemble, and the Japan-set sequences give it a fresh scale. Here is our full Sumo Didi review covering the story, performances, technical aspects, strengths and weaknesses.

Sumo Didi follows Hetal Dave, a Kolkata-based woman who has faced body-shaming since childhood and finds her calling in sumo wrestling. Her journey takes her from marriage-fixing meetings and family pressure to a face-off with Japanese grandmaster Yokozuna Taoshi. Shriyam Bhagnani anchors the film with a committed, heartfelt performance. Some conflicts resolve quickly and the music could have been stronger. Even so, this is a worthwhile, feel-good watch for anyone who enjoys true-story sports dramas. 

Sumo Didi Cast and Crew

Sumo Didi Plot Summary

Hetal Dave grows up in Kolkata facing constant comments about her weight, from classmates comparing her to a hippo to relatives offering unsolicited makeover advice. Her mother, Sudha, worries about log kya kahenge and pushes home remedies, from karela juice to neem-saunf paste, in the hope of securing a good marriage.

When Hetal chooses sumo over judo, Sudha gives her one year to prove herself. With support from her friend-turned-coach Akshat, a physiotherapist who dreams of acting, and inspiration from a Japanese sumo wrestler, Hetal begins training. The journey takes her to Japan and a bout with grandmaster Yokozuna Taoshi, where she tests her strength and her self-worth.

Performances

Shriyam Bhagnani as Hetal Dave: Shriyam carries the film with sincerity and strength. She captures Hetal’s hurt, stubbornness and growing confidence, and her physical commitment to the sumo scenes is impressive. It is a lead performance that wins the audience’s sympathy from the first scene.

Chaitnya Sharma as Akshat: Chaitnya brings an easy, supportive charm as the coach who sees Hetal’s potential while others see only her appearance. He is a dependable emotional anchor, and his scenes with Shriyam add a gentle warmth.

Nitesh Pandey as Rajendra: As Hetal’s father, Nitesh Pandey gives a layered, believable performance. He conveys the weariness of a man who has spent years chasing something big. The late actor’s work here is a fitting reminder of his craft.

Raghav Dheer as Vikku: Raghav brings an easy, natural presence as Hetal’s brother. He fits comfortably into the family dynamic and adds to its lived-in feel.

Anubha Fatehpura: Anubha adds authenticity to the household scenes. Her presence helps capture the pressure and care that run side by side in a traditional Indian family.

Technical Analysis

Direction

Jayant Rohatgi, in his directorial debut, handles a sensitive subject with care. He balances body-shaming, marriage pressure and sporting ambition without turning the film into a lecture. The Japan portions are the standout, giving Hetal’s story a larger canvas.

Cinematography

Akash Agrawal’s camera keeps the tone subtle and cinematic. It moves comfortably between the cosy, cluttered Kolkata home and the disciplined spaces of Japanese sumo training, and the contrast supports Hetal’s journey.

Music and Score

Amar Mangrulkar’s music aims to lift the sporting moments and the emotional beats. The soundtrack has its energetic stretches, though some scenes would have benefited from a lighter touch.

Editing

Dev Rao Jadhav’s editing keeps the narrative moving across its two-part structure, from Hetal’s struggle at home to her rise in the ring. The pacing is steady and easy to follow.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Inspiring true story with a timely message on body positivity
• Shriyam Bhagnani’s committed, heartfelt lead performance
• Well-observed family scenes, including the marriage-fixing meetings
• Japan-set sequences that widen the film’s scale
• Strong supporting cast and a warm friendship track
• Light humour that gives relief from the heavier themes

Weaknesses

• Screenplay is predictable, with some conflicts resolved quickly
• Sporting scenes rarely build real edge-of-the-seat tension
• Brother’s character is underdeveloped
• Romantic chemistry could have been stronger
• Songs and background score are uneven

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐3.5/5

Sumo Didi is an earnest, well-meaning biopic that celebrates resilience and self-acceptance. Shriyam Bhagnani’s lead performance, the sincere family drama and the Japan sequences make it a rewarding watch. If you enjoy inspiring true-story sports dramas, this ZEE5 release is worth your time.

FAQs

What is the age rating of Sumo Didi?
It's UA 13+ Certification. The film deals with body-shaming and marriage pressure, so it suits most teen and adult viewers.

Is Sumo Didi suitable for children and families?
Yes, it is largely a family-friendly watch with an uplifting message. Parents may want to watch with younger children because of the themes of body-shaming and social pressure.

Is Sumo Didi based on a true story?
Yes. It is inspired by the life of Hetal Dave, India’s first professional female sumo wrestler.