Sultan 2016

Sultan Ali Khan, portrayed by Salman Khan, is an ex-wrestling champion in his middle age, leading a mediocre and lonely existence in a small town in Haryana. Meanwhile, Aakash Oberoi, the ambitious founder of a private mixed martial arts league, is encouraged by his father to recruit an Indian wrestler to rejuvenate the league’s dwindling popularity. When Aakash visits Haryana to make an offer to Sultan, he is met with a firm refusal, as Sultan claims he has completely retired from wrestling. Curious about Sultan’s retirement, Aakash speaks with Sultan’s close friend, Govind, who shares the story of Sultan’s rise and fall.

Flashback eight years: Sultan’s life changes when he meets Aarfa Hussain, a talented state-level wrestler and the daughter of a local coach. At first, Aarfa is cold to Sultan, but they gradually become friends. When Sultan declares her as his girlfriend, Aarfa dismisses him, expressing her desire to marry an accomplished wrestler. Driven by love, Sultan commits to grueling training routines and impressively wins a state-level wrestling tournament, eventually earning Aarfa’s affection.

Their marriage leads to both becoming celebrated wrestlers, proudly representing India in various international tournaments, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. Just as they prepare for the Olympic Games, Aarfa discovers she is pregnant. Making a significant sacrifice, she relinquishes her Olympic dreams, allowing Sultan to shine instead. However, as Sultan basks in glory, he grows arrogant, ignoring Aarfa’s concerns about her impending childbirth. While pursuing yet another championship, tragedy strikes—upon his return, he learns that their newborn son has died due to severe anemia, a loss tied to his rare blood type. Enraged and heartbroken, Aarfa decides to leave Sultan and return to her father, plunging him into profound despair.

In the present, Aakash presents Sultan with an enticing opportunity to join his league, promising that the tournament’s prize money could help Sultan fulfill his dream of opening a blood bank in Haryana. Despite his physical decline, Sultan decides to accept the challenge, and they travel to Delhi, where Aakash introduces him to Fateh Singh, a seasoned mixed martial arts coach. Under Fateh’s guidance, Sultan undergoes rigorous training and gradually regains his former athletic physique.

Though his initial matches are tough, he eventually triumphs with the unique wrestling style that made him famous. Sultan’s resurgence as a nationwide sensation rekindles support from Aarfa, and during the semi-final, he wins again, only to be met with severe injuries that lay him in a hospital bed. With the doctor warning that further fighting could be fatal, Aarfa finds Sultan during his vulnerable moment and reconciles with him, urging him to persevere. With renewed determination, Sultan grapples with his pain, fighting against all odds to claim victory in the final match and win the tournament.

Reunited, Sultan and Aarfa use the prize money to establish a blood bank, fulfilling Sultan’s long-held dream. A few years later, their family grows with the birth of a baby girl, whom Sultan begins to train as a future wrestler, signaling a hopeful new chapter for their lives.