Chak De India Rocks at UK

London: It wasn't the usual star-studded red carpet affair, but the premiere of Shah Rukh Khan's Chak de India was one of the highlights of the on-going India Now festival in London.

For the crowd at Somerset House, many of them from Germany, it turned out to be a memorable meeting with the star.

“He has charm. His movies are great, the best from Bollywood,” said a German woman. Agreed another, “I like the visuals, the music and the emotions in his films.”

Chak de India sees Shah Rukh play a muslim coach of a women's hockey team. Its about patriotism in the new age, and according to the star - about doing your best, and living your dream.

“It’s wonderfully ironic that we are talking about Indian patriotism this in England. But patriotism doesn’t mean we don’t like other countries. We just say that our county is nice,” the actor said.

He also shared his experience of making the film.

"You ask any guy in the world how it is to shoot with 16 girls - he won't say anything he'll just keep smiling,” he quipped.

Source: CNN-IBN

Chak De India - Synopsis

SYNOPSIS

Jo nahin ho sakta hai, wahi to karna hai...

Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) knows what it's like to come back from the dead. The ex India Captain has now come back in the avatar of the Coach of the Indian Women's National Hockey team. A team that exists more on paper and less in reality.

The team is a rag-tag bunch of girls with their own agenda. A bunch of girls who have forgotten what it is like to play for the love of the game. Of playing because you want glory for your country. Not because you want a pensioned job or a government flat. They have all forgotten the sharp thrill of just holding the hockey stick, keeping their eyes on the ball and playing for all they are worth. They have played every game but hockey to make sure they get selected every year in the Indian National team. But what does it really mean to play for the Indian National team? To play for India?

Mujhe sirf ek mulk ka naam sunaai deta hai - India

The girls have never known the thrilling energy of being Team India. Of giving their all to see their country's name on a trophy. But Kabir Khan, once a captain, now forgotten, does. He knows what it takes to get there. And what it means to return empty handed. This time, he wants to make sure that it's different. He knows there are no second changes. Despite his past, he believes that if only the girls played as one, anything would be possible.

Because Kabir Khan believes that it is not that we can't win. It's just that we have never believed we can.

Chak De India is the story of a coach's fight of making his team, Team India - by overcoming their diverse background, by learning to use everything that life hults on them as a secret weapon. It's a story about honesty, sincerity and integrity. A story to remind the nation of its National Sport.

Chak De India - Movie Review

The Yash Raj - SRK combo is back. No lush green fields here. No running around trees either. No chiffon sarees to make the ladies look their best. No melodrama, no parental opposition, no lovers defying their parents. CHAK DE INDIA, directed by Shmit Amin, charters a new territory.

Yash Raj is not really known to venture into unconventional lanes, barring a KABUL EXPRESS in the recent past. CHAK DE INDIA isn't unconventional as such, but it's definitely different and awe inspiring at times. Frankly speaking, CHAK DE INDIA doesn't boast of a path-breaking script, but execution of the subject material succeeds in making you find purpose and meaning and also arouses patriotic sentiments.

There's a flip side as well. Sports-based themes, barring a few, haven't really found many takers in India, especially with the aam junta. For various reasons. Sure, hockey is the national sport of India, but cricket gets more prominence in our dailies and also on news channels. The common man also keeps tabs on the Tendulkars and Dravids, when compared to those belonging to other sports. CHAK DE INDIA is about hockey, about women's hockey to be precise, but most of us haven't given more importance to this thrilling sport for no particular reason.

Also, from the business point of view, CHAK DE INDIA may be an engrossing fare, but not the ideal flick for an entertainment-seeking viewer. At best, it may attract attention initially thanks to the star power and the Numero Uno production house promoting it aggressively. But that's about it!

Kabir Khan [Shah Rukh Khan] knows what it's like to come back from the dead. The ex Indian Captain has now come back in the avatar of the Coach of the Indian Women's National Hockey team. A team that exists more on paper and less in reality.

The team is a bunch of girls with their own agenda. A bunch of girls who have forgotten what it is like to play for the love of the game. Of playing because you want glory for your country. Not because you want a pensioned job or a government flat. They have all forgotten the sharp thrill of just holding the hockey stick, keeping their eyes on the ball and playing for all they are worth. They have played every game but hockey to make sure they get selected every year in the Indian National team. But what does it really mean to play for the Indian National team? To play for India?

The girls have never known the thrilling energy of being Team India. Of giving their all to see their country's name on a trophy. But Kabir Khan, once a captain, now forgotten, does. He knows what it takes to get there. And what it means to return empty handed. This time, he wants to make sure that it's different. He knows there are no second chances. Despite his past, he believes that if only the girls played as one, anything would be possible.

Because Kabir Khan believes that it is not that we can't win. It's just that we have never believed we can.

CHAK DE INDIA is the story of a coach's fight of making his team, Team India by overcoming their diverse backgrounds, by learning to use everything that life hurls on them as a secret weapon.

The film has all the right elements mixed -- satirical comedy, seriousness and dollops of emotions. In fact, the first half is quite captivating and the expectations from the latter half are equally high. The post-interval portions don't disappoint, but the pace slackens and the goings-on take a long time to reach the finale. In fact, the narrative gathers steam only towards the climax, which is well handled.

Shimit Amin's choice of the subject as also the execution deserves to be lauded. But, as mentioned at the outset, it's not a film that would find universal patronage. People giving it a Thumbs Up would be limited to those who are into qualitative cinema.

Cinematography is first-rate. Music is strictly okay. Dialogues are interesting. A few lines are indeed amazing. Editing could've been tighter.

SRK is the soul of CHAK DE INDIA. What you see on screen would be half of what it is without this matchless actor. He makes you feel what you are supposed to feel. A performance that's sure to go down as one of his finest works so far. The girls are excellent and a few of them register a strong impact, especially Vidya Malvade.

On the whole, CHAK DE INDIA is a well-made product, but its fate at the ticket window wouldn't be as glorious as its intentions. With a slow start at places and not too exciting promotion [the promos], the film will face an uphill task in days to come.

Source: IndiaFM

"Cricket is a gentleman's game and everyone who has come to watch the game is dressed in formals" : SRK

Actor Shah Rukh Khan joined Sunil Gavaskar and Harsha Bhogle in the commentator box at The Oval during India's third and final Test against England. The actor is in London to promote Chak De India , which is being premiered there on Thursday evening.

Speaking to commentators on a sports channel he said, "This is a film about sports. There had been films on sports like Lagaan and others. I always wanted to do a film on sports, particularly on field and women hockey, much neglected in cinema."

Dressed in a typically English black striped suit without a tie Shah Rukh looked lean, tense and without a make-up. When asked why he was dressed in formals, he said "Cricket is a gentleman's game and everyone who has come to watch the game is dressed in formals. Which is why I thought I will wear a nice suit and a shirt."

On a lighter note, he said, "Even I have long hair like Dhoni but I can't keep it open since I am not playing but I have made a pony tail", he said turning his back towards the camera.

"I occasionally watch Rahul and Sachin and I have grown up watching Sunny Saab", he said. On his love for cricket and Indian cricketers he said, "I love being photographed with cricketers. Three months back I asked Tendulkar to have a picture with me. Sometime ago I asked Rahul for his autograph too."

Shah Rukh was buoyant when asked about his sporting lineage, "My father used to play hockey. I too enjoyed playing hockey. I used to carry my hockey stick on my back when I went to school. I used to try and play all sports. I kept running behind the ball all the time but never used to catch it", he said reminiscing of his earlier days.

"If there would be a cricket team for forty and above I would like to be part of that team", he said displaying his passion.

Coming back to Chak De India , he said, "I play the coach in the film. I have 16 girls around me playing hockey. It has no songs but only sporting capabilities. The film has no romance and no villain."

Shah Rukh Khan was brimming with energy and high spirits when he said, "I am a true true believer, I am a sportsman by nature. Sports is a genre not much accepted in India."

Shah Rukh Khan felt embarrassing during the shooting of Chak De India because he said" The girls were not even born at the time when I started acting. They later started calling Mr. Khan and then later coach and Shah Rukh", he said. He added, "There is a single shot in the film where the team is seen to be arriving abroad and departing the shores for India. It was quite boring."

Talking about the title track of the song, he said, "The song is nice. It doesn't matter if we lose. Come on India, buck up India Koi to chal zidd fariye doobe, kariye ya mariye haye...”

How do you feel as the crowned or uncrowned king or badshah of Bollwood?, asked Harsha. "I am working for so many years in the same profession. It feels good, better than being called a failure. All you need to do is to get up and bowl right, and get the shot right. I am very happy and thrilled but I do not take it seriously when people call me badshah or king."

"I am excited about Chak De India . I don't know whether it will do well but I am excited."

Shah Rukh not just likes hockey and cricket but also follows football. Manchester United is his kids' favourite, he said.

"We played cricket whole day. I was taken to the National Stadium. Mohinder Amarnath and Kapil Dev used to bowl to me. Gurucharan Singh used to beat me with the broomstick when I used to run and pick up the ball leaving my wicket-keeping position when I was in Columbus."

Why not Hollywood? Shah Rukh said, "I would love to sell my film in the UK and America. We have a great industry. We have great sporting teams. All youngsters will have to believe that they will have to play for the country they are born in and play world class."

Gavaskar seemed to believe in Shah Rukh's philosophy and belief in capitalism and playing to win the trophy.

He underlined, "It's not about winning the silver but losing the gold. Sometimes winning is everything. But it should be, winning everytime is everything."

Provocations like the jelly bean incident would be there but Indian cricketers should never lose sight of victory because "winning is everything", advises Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan will watch the big premiere of Chak De India on Thursday evening in London but without the 16 girls.

Source: Timesofindia

King Khan made a surprising appearance at the commentary box on day one of the second India-England cricket Test...

Provocations like the jellybean incident would be there but Indian cricketers should never lose sight of victory because "winning is everything", advises Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

The actor made a surprising appearance at the commentary box on day one of the second India-England cricket Test along with Sunil Gavaskar and shared his interest in various sports.

He had come for the premier of 'Chak De India' in which he plays a hockey coach, Shah Rukh said the players should not settle for anything less than triumph but not at the cost of sportsman spirit.

"I'm a believer in the saying that winning is everything. Do whatever it takes to win. But at the same time, you are a sportsman and you have to be courteous and nice, jellybeans notwithstanding," he quipped.

On a more serious note, he said, "For me, winning silver is losing the gold. But when I say all these things about winning, you also need to keep in mind that when you lose, it only means that your best was not better than the opponents. I don't understand incidents like house burning or stone-pelting."

Shah Rukh said he once faced Kapil Dev and Surinder Amarnath at the national stadium in Delhi.

"I had to wear my thigh pad on my chest as they bowled very fast," he added.

The popular actor also urged youngsters to take up sports of their choice.

"We may not be doing great in all sports but I think every youngster should think 'I'll play'."

Describing himself as a "sportsperson at heart", the actor said, "If there is a team of over-40 players, I would love to be part of that team."

Source: CricketWorldCupLatest

Look at the varied work Shah Rukh has done…from Mani Kaul to Aziz Mirza to Aditya Chopra : Shimit Amin

For Shimit Amin the leap from the gritty cops film Ab Tak Chappan to the world of female hockey players in Chak De India….is astounding!

Man, what a leap in time and pace!

Says the softspoken movie maker, "For me it's just the script. I react to the script. It didn't matter which genre. But yes, the thought of doing a hockey film was challenging. Because nobody had done it.

It gave me a chance to explore an entirely untried genre. Jaideep Sahni's script was something I wanted to put on screen. I've come from the US and this film gave me a chance to connect to one new part of Indian culture."

But the audiences responded somewhat warily to the theatrical trailer of Chak De India where all the hockey playing girls were brought on screen one after another.

"We were experimenting with the trailer format by putting a music video. We clearly wanted to introduce the thirteen characters through the film. It was a broad canvas. Some people did like it. Others didn't.

The trailer was an experiment, just as much as the film. Chak De India doesn't have romance songs and the formula. My film is about characters who'll hopefully involve the audience within five minutes of playing time."

Casting for the roles of the female hockey players was a grueling task. "It was very difficult to cast. We had to find girls who could play hockey and speak lines that were quite complicated. We had to go to different parts of the country and find women who could play sports. We looked for girls who were firstly athletic, and then see if they could hold the hockey stick."

Shimit discovered how poorly hockey was treated in this country. "When I'd go out on Sunday mornings searching for female athletes, every single green patch that I passed had boys playing cricket. No hockey anywhere, forget female hockey players.

I couldn't even see one female cricket anywhere. I'd be so envious. If I had to make a cricket movie my life would be so much easier. But we loved the script so much we wanted to be true to it as much as possible."

Finally after months of search, semi-athletic females were chosen. "We had to choose semi-actors and train them to play hockey and to act. For three months we would wake up at 4.30 every morning and they'd play hockey for five hours and then undergo physiotherapy.

It was nerve-wracking. We didn't know if it'd work. But all the actors, hockey players and actors-players helped one another. They all became one community. The cast never felt it was acting. Finally they looked convincing as a team."

An expert from the US had to be roped in to train and choreograph the team. "We had lots of experts on the game helping out. It became more than a movie. It evolved into a project."

Shimit Amin whose first and so far only film Ab Tak Chappan came a good three years ago, is flummoxed by rumours Chak De India had to be re-shot.

"Not a frame has been re-shot—any crew member can vouch for that. There was another rumour about the hard disc crashing. It didn't happen. Even if it did there was nothing to panic about. Any computer- savvy guy knows hard discs are backed up and can easily be replaced."

The idea behind the film was to revive the sport. "Shah Rukh Khan had played hockey and his passion for the game remained. Once you play hockey you remain hooked to it.As for Shah Rukh, you'd be surprised to know how similar in attitude he is to Nana Patekar who starred in my first film.

They both understand the cinematic medium completely. Their knowledge of the medium is astounding. Look at the varied work Shah Rukh has done…from Mani Kaul to Aziz Mirza to Aditya Chopra. "

Would audiences like Shah Rukh as a burnt-out hockey coach?

Shimit has an answer. "I've known Shah Rukh for years. During Asoka I worked in his company, doing promos. He knew what I am all about. As for his image, to date people consider Shah Rukh's performance in Swades among his best. And that was different.

We never thought of his image or anything else. I was just interested the whole world /community of hockey, just as the whole relationship between cops and crime interested me in Ab Tak Chappan. "

He's all praise for his producers. "Ram Gopal Varma was so supportive during Ab Tak Chappan. And now during Chak De, Mr Yash and Aditya Chopra were completely supportive. Aditya knows his job fully. At the same time he's very non-interfering. Chak De is far more complicated in terms of technical effects."

Does Chak De India abide by the 'Yashraj' mood?

"We just went by what needed to be done in the script. Now that I've done it I'm not bothered. I do want people to be charged about a neglected sport. Beyond that I'm not getting performing anxities."

He perks up. "I'm glad films on sports are being made in Mumbai. There's just 3-4 genres to explore. I've done what I wanted to do in Chak De India…What am I doing next? I wish I knew. But it has to be the story that interests me.But yes, I've a contract for three films with Yashraj films."

Finally has Shimit become a hockey player? "No no…I can't play any sport. But Shah Rukh wasn't just a hockey player from before he actually went out on the field and played for the film."

By: Subash K Jha