"Sultan" marked a significant milestone in Indian cinema, as it showcased the country's rich wrestling culture and the struggles faced by athletes. The movie's success paved the way for more sports dramas in Bollywood.

Years later, Sultan re-emerges as a successful wrestler and gets married to Rani. They have a daughter, Harnia. Sultan's past comes back to haunt him when his daughter is molested by a man, which sets Sultan on a path of revenge.

The film was a commercial success, grossing over ₹623 crore (US$86 million) worldwide. At the box office, "Sultan" became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2016.