Chak De India: What a Goal!
For the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of speculation regarding the fate of Yash Raj’s latest venture, keeping in mind its not so great run in the recent past. Also, since they have chosen to try something of the beaten track, a lot pf people were wondering about the outcome of taking such a gamble. Of late, even the most bankable stars have not been able to make the registers ring. Newspapers went to town- listing all the Indian films made with a sports background in the past. Since some of them have been block busters like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Lagaan, the others have faded out of memory. Fortunately, this time, it’s a goal for the banner as Chak De will undoubtedly be a winner.
Shahrukh Khan in Chak De India
Rating: 4/5
The film has been loosely based on a tried and tested formula in Hollywood where a bunch of underdogs beat the champions with the help of a coach with a dark past. Some of them are The Waterboy, Young Blood, Wild Cats and so on. Though this theme has been done to death there, here it is still fresh. Chak De India is a film that is based on the Indian Women’s Hockey team. The film highlights the shape of the team, which is best left unsaid, with no good remunerations and no belief from the selectors themselves, the team fails miserably where ever it goes. The officials use the team matches as a excuse for a quick vacation, as they have no hopes of getting anything else from them.
The hockey girls in Chak De India
Mirroring their sentiments, the team too has no expectations from itself and there is no love lost between the players. All this changes when a temperamental coach, Kabir Khan decides to take on the formidable challenge of coaching the team to win the World Championship. Having an albatross around his neck ever since he missed out on a penalty shot against Pakistan, he is determined to prove his commitment to India. As he gains the grudging approval of the team, he teaches them a more important lesson - that along with training, they need to accept each other and trust each other. As this team starts getting the message, they form a team which has everything and emerge winners- in every way.
Chak De India Hockey Girls
Watching a film like this is a treat because the wonderful part is that it infuses a feeling of nationality in us. Though it’s about a game, it makes you feel like getting up and cheering for the team as they battle on. Being India’s national sport, it is about time that it got its due and something tells me that this movie will have a hand in doing that.
Shahrukh Khan in Chak De India
Taking about performances, there is no Shahrukh Khan in the film. There is only Kabir Khan. And this, I believe, is Shahrukh’s answer to all those who ridiculed him for being a candy floss hero. Real, basic and raw- he breathes life into the film. The girls too are not just like props, but have great roles and more importantly have given great performances. The thing I like is that instead of taking beauty princesses, the cast comprises of girls who are like hockey players. That’s a score for realism.
This is a welcome respite for the banner. Surely worth watch once, if not more.
Rating: 4/5
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