Sport Film

There has been lull in the political scene for quite some time. Therefore today also I am covering quite a different topic and that is films made in India on sports. There have been many films which are sport centeric like Lagaan, Soorma, Gold, Mary Kom, De Dana Dan, today I am writing on one of the best sports movie ever made in India, which is

Chak De India 

Produced by Yashraj Films and Directed by Shimit Amin

This is totally sports centeric film, and the sport was Hockey in this film.

In the beginning of the film it is shown that India is playing the World Cup Men’s Hockey final with Pakistan, and they are trailing by one goal. They get golden chance to equalize , when they get the Penalty stroke for the foul committed against India’s centre forward Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), who is captain of the team also. Kabir misses the stroke, and India loses the match. After the match he has been shaking hand with winner team’s player, which is customary. But as he is Muslim, media and public mis interprete this gesture and brand him as traitor. He is forced to leave his ancestral home.

Seven years later he reappears on the scene and his friend Uttam persuades him to become coach of Womens Hockey team , which has been selected to represent India in Women’s Hockey World Cup. Hockey federation Chief reluctantly agree for his appointment.

Kabir find himself coach of 16 girl of different characters, who all are from different parts of the country, such as  Komal Chautala(Chitrashi Rawat) a village girl from Haryana who always clashes with Preeti Sabharwal(Sagarika Ghatge) from Chandigarh; Balbir Kaur(Tanya Abrol) who is from Punjab, and is short tempered always bullies Rani Dispotta (Seema Azmi) and Soimoi Kerketa from remote parts of Jharkhand. Mary Ralte(Kimi Laldawala) from Mizoram and Molly Zimik (Masochon Zimik) from Manipur, from North East India who always face wide spread discrimination and sexual harassment. Vidya Sharma(Vidya Malvade), who is team captain faces pressure from her husband and his family to choose between hockey and wishes of the family. Preeti’s finace Abhimanyu Singh(Vivan Bhatena), who is vice captain of Indian Cricket Team always demeans her and he feels threatened by her getting famous.

Seeing the team, Kabir is really perturbed, and realizes that to make these girls winner only if they can overcome the their differences. During first few days of coaching camp he benches several players including senior most player Bindia Naik (Shilpa Shukla). In response Bindiya encourages another players to revolt against Kabir, who in frustration says he is resigning from the job of Coach. Before leaving he takes all the team members for Lunch at McDonald’s. During their lunch some local boys make a sexual pass at Mary. Balbir attacks the boys and in the process triggering a brawl between boys and girls. After the fight which girls won, all the girls ask Kabir to remain as coach of the team.

The team now faces new challenge as Federation Chief refuses to send the team to world Cup. Kabir proposes a match between India’s men’s team and his girls team. Although girls team lose , but this inspires confidence in every one that this team can do wonders.

The World Cup tournament begins with India loosing 7-0 to Australia. After this loss, the team comes together and convincingly beat teams from England, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and South Korea, and Indian team reach final to be played against Australia. In the final match India and Australia are tied at 2-2 at the end of regular & extra time. India beat Austrailia 3-2 in Penalty Strokes.

The highlight of the film was the way the hockey matches were picturised, and the audience could feel as if they are watching live telecast of the matches. The final match was brilliantly shot, specially the penalty shoot out was edge of the seat experience. Hats off to director and his technical team of the film.

When the team returns  home their families treat them with respect, and traitor from Kabir’s name is removed and he is hailed as national hero.

Shah Rukh Khan, he really lived the role ,  under acted and gave very restrained performance, and this can be considered as his best performance of his career. All the girls performed as per the roles assigned to them, but special mentions to Saagrika Ghatge, Vidya Malvade and Chitrashi Rawat.

Waiting for your feed backs/views/comments.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

19 Sep 2018.