Chak De! India invited to Tokyo film festival

After receiving a spate of awards, critical acclaim and popularity at home, Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Chak De! India” has now been invited to the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).

"We are truly honoured. It is a wonderful pat on the back for everyone associated with this film," said Shimit Amin, the director of Yash Raj Films' production, who will travel to Tokyo for the screening.

“Chak De! India”, about a coach inspiring the Indian women's hockey team to victory, will be showcased in the Winds of Asia-Middle East section.

This section at the annual fest features some of the outstanding films from East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.

This year, 790 films from 72 countries will be featured in the competitive section at TIFF, to be held October 18-26.

SRK the Best Actor Again!

Shah Rukh was adjudged the best actor for his performance in Chak De! India. The best actress award went to Kareena Kapoor for her performance in Jab We Met at a function organsied in Mumbai last night.

Shahrukh and Deepika Padukone were named as the Best Pair onscreen in Om Shanti Om.

Deepika was also adjudged the Best Newcomer (Female), while Ranbir Kapoor was adjudged the Best Newcomer (Male).

AR Rahman’s musical score for Guru earned him the award for the Best Music Director.

Aamir shared the best director award for the film with Shimit Amin for Chak De! India starring Shahrukh Khan. He additionally won awards as Best Supporting Actor and for Best Dialogues.

Lifetime Achievement Award went to Manoj Kumar. Chak De! girls shared the honour for Best Supporting Role (female).

Irfan Khan bagged the Best Comedian Award for Life…In a Metro while Anurag Basu won the Best Screenplay Award for the same film.

Lifetime Achievement Award went to Manoj Kumar. Chak De! girls shared the honour for Best Supporting Role (female).

Singer Soham won the Award for the Best Playback Singer (Male) for the film Life…In a Metro while Priya Ghosal was adjudged Best Playback Singer (female) for Mani Ratnam’s Guru.

Shah Rukh performed the Dard-e-Disco number from Om Shanti Om at the award function. Others who performed at the event included Shahid Kapur, Katrina Kaif, Urmila Matondkar, Riteish Deshmukh and Dia Mirza.

Chak De India wins US Billie Award

The film has been honored with a Billie Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the portrayal of women in sports be it in entertainment or journalism. The awards, named after champion tennis player Billie Jean King, are presented in four categories: breakthrough and innovation, entertainment, journalism and outstanding journalist.

This year the award for entertainment went to Chak De India. Yash Raj, producer of the film said, “The film continues to pay back the faith we had reposed in the movie even when conventional wisdom would have dictated otherwise. To win accolades like this from around the world, especially from places where depictions of women's sport has had a long and established tradition is especially heartening.”

Shimit Amin, director of the film was present to get the award and said, “The reaction to the movie was simply fantastic. You would not believe that this was a foreign audience - comprised of professional writers, critics and industry professionals for the most part - the way they reacted. It just reinforced our belief that the message of the movie and the performances of Shah Rukh Khan and the girls cuts across all boundaries.”

Yash Raj added, “It was an honour to be selected by such a distinguished panel of women's sports historians, journalists and media industry executives. But while we cherish this honour, the greatest reward for the movie was undoubtedly the love and affection that was showered on it by audiences worldwide."

We congratulate the cast and crew for not only making a wonderful film but also an inspiring film that is being recognized for its positive portrayal of women’s sports.

'Chak de India' to be screened at Jeddah film fest

Dubai (PTI): Shahrukh Khan starrer blockbuster Hindi movie "Chak de India" will be screened on the opening day of the Asian Film Festival 2008, in Jeddah on February 9.

The 12-day-long festival running from February 9-20 is organised by the Asian Consuls General Club.

The festival which begins with India's "Chak de India" and a Saudi Arabian documentary will also feature documentaries from Pakistan and China.

The Hindu

'Shah Rukh Khan deserves more' - Shimit Amin

He deserves everything and more,” said Shimit Amin, the winner of the Best Director at Star Screen Awards yesterday, about his Coach Kabir Khan who won the best actor statuette at the same award function. “I feel great for all the people who were a part of the team.” How does it feel that the title track of your film has become a modern day anthem representing Indian Pride all over the world? “I’m very happy for Salim-Sulaiman, the music director duo and Jaideep Sahni, the man who wrote the song. The concept paid off. We had never imagined that so many people would like it this much,” Shimit added.

You’ve shared the Best Director trophy with Aamir Khan for Taare Zameen Par. “Aamir is a very talented man. He is terrific.” Have you seen the film? “Yes, it’s fantastic. It is wonderful and Aamir rightly deserves all the credit.” Finally, what are you doing next? “I haven’t planned it as yet. But as a part of three part film deal with Yash Raj Films, I have to do two more films with them,” Shimit says.

Well, whatever he does, every move of Shimit Amin will be keenly watched. After all he has made one of the finest films in the recent times. Bollywood Hungama congratulates Shimit Amin on being adjudged the Best Director at the Star Screen Awards.

IndiaFM

'CDI' title track is song of year: NDTV poll

The title track of CHAK DE INDIA has been adjudged the song of the year in the annual year-end poll conducted by NDTV. The award was handed out in a glittering ceremony and was received by Sanjeev Kohli, CEO and Director, Yash Raj Films, Shimit Amin, director of the film and Salim Merchant, music director.

Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Chak De! India : Biggest Hit & The Highest Grosser Of The Year

Films have come and films have gone, but Yash Raj's Shah Rukh Khan starrer, 'Chak De!India' goes on and on!

The 18-20 crore Shimit Amin movie is now the year's biggest hit and the highest grosser.

Coming to the actual numbers, in its eighth week 'Chak De! India' obtained around 2 crores and the eight week all-India total is 62.50 crores (nett) and the movie goes past the 62 crore total of 'Partner'.

Abid, PlanetBollywood

Shah Rukh Khan's 'Chak De' continues relentless box office run

While making the movie, probably, neither Shah Rukh nor director Shimit Amin or writer Jaideep Sahni realized that they are making a landmark film. I call it landmark because with subtle sophistication, the movie ends up packing in lots of lessons.

To begin with, the film has many positives. Lessons in team building and leadership qualities make for superb management case studies. Similarly, virtues of patience (the final scene when Balbir Kaur tells her mom, "Bebe, gussa karma accha nahin hota") and putting nation above individuals ("Mujhe states ke naam na sunayie dete hai, na dhikaie dete hai, Sirf ek mulk-a-naam sunayie deta hai, I-N-D-I-A") make for lovely school text book lessons.

The film holds up the mirror to our society in many places. For instance, when Molly Zimik is not pleased to be addressed as a guest and questions, "Apne hi desh mein mehman?" - the alienation of North-East comes to the fore. Or insensitivity of North towards the varied cultures and languages of the South makes Nethra Reddy remark, "Tamil or Telegu mein utna hi fark hai jitna ki Bihari or ….". Or Our Gennext's cluelessness about places like Jharkhand reflect sharply on the current scenario and corrections to be made.

The magical power of Chak De can be gauged by the cheering and clapping in the theatres. Mr Narayan Murthy, Chief Mentor, Infosys technologies is the latest to join the Chak De fan club. After watching the movie, he comments, "I wish more and more of our leaders see 'Chak De' and learn these precious lessons".

Source: SAWF News

Shahrukh & Shimit had a Great time Together

Shimit, who's worked as a film editor and camera attendant turned heads when he made the hard-hitting Ab Tak Chhappan , which got him recognition as a director. How did a sporty, feelgood film like Chak De! India happen?

"Well, Jaideep (Sahni) had this script and he showed it to Aditya Chopra. When Aditya liked the script, he asked me to direct it. I liked the script a lot, it had everything in it. There were important issues, many characters and its multi-layered nature made it different," says Shimit, a mathematics graduate from University of Florida.

Making the blockbuster wasn't easy. "I think getting the cast was the most difficult task. We had to find out such faces who could do justice to the role and play hockey at the same time," he says.

From editing to handling the camera, Shimit seems to have a fair knowledge of most aspects of filmmaking. So does it help if you know so many aspects of film making? "Though I find editing and camera work very interesting , knowing so many things doesn't always help. It may complicate things," says the multi-faceted director.

Quiz him about his tiff with Shah Rukh Khan and Shimit firmly points out that they were "only rumours created by people who have nothing to do. SRK and I had an amazing time together. And nothing of this sort happened during the shoot."

Chak De! India has been selected by the Oscar library for research , and this news makes the director feel more proud about his work. He says, "It feels good when your work is getting appreciated by others. Now one more feather has been added to my cap."

Source: TimesOfIndia

'Chak De! India' Enters Management School Curriculum

The Shah Rukh Khan starrer about a gritty women's hockey team that overcomes odds and goes on to win the world championships will now be part of a business school curriculum.

Aiming to teach aspiring management students some business skills through the film, the Aryans Business School (ABS), about 20 km from on the Chandigarh-Rajpura road in Punjab, has decided to make 'Chak De! India' a part of its Master of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum.

'The film will be taken up as a case study through which management students would study various aspects of management which can help them to be good and effective leaders in the future,' ABS chairperson Anshu Kataria said Tuesday.

'The film based on a real-life story makes a deeper impact on the students of management. They can visualise the concept of the story and apply it in job areas later on. It will refine the quality of being a manager. It provides guidance for not only being an effective manager but also how to be best and a role model for others in whichever area they enter,' Kataria added.

Some business schools had last year taken up director Madhur Bhandarkar's film 'Corporate' as a case study.

The ABS believes 'Chak De' helps understand concepts like human resource management, strategy, motivation, determination, skills, leadership, ambition and making the most out of the worst kind of situations.

The film has Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh as the coach of the Indian women's hockey team that goes on to win the world cup. Released last month, it is doing well in theatres across the country and abroad.

Source: NewsPostIndia

I think I look like a French lover: SRK

Why such a long gap between Don and Chak De! India?
I might not have had a release for all this while but actually I was overworked. I was shooting for Don, Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om simultaneously, so it was crazy. One day I had to shave, one day I had to grow a beard and then the next day I was told to report with side-locks. Also don't forget KBC. I could have done a film in the time that I gave to KBC. But now I'm free for four months and so I can go on a holiday.

What's the challenge in Chak De!India?
It's too noble to be made into a commercial film. First of all, there is no heroine in the film. Sure there are 16 new girls but with due respect to them they are not regular new heroines like Deepika Padukone whom we are launching in Om Shanti Om. Also, sports film as a genre is not very popular - except Hip Hip Hurray, Lagaan, Iqbal and Hattrick there have not been many sports-based films. Also the hero in this film is not like a hero. I'm not doing what I've done in Veer-Zaara - this film is not a star vehicle. It's not a love story. That apart, when I was told about the film, I instantly agreed. My reasoning was that because it's one of those films, so why not?

I don't think any other actor has worked with 16 new girls in one film before. It's like a record.
It's a world record. Rishi Kapoor used to say that he has worked with 23 new girls. Now I have launched 17 new girls including Deepika Padukone in one year. Beat that!

Was there a lot of gushing on the shoot since all the new girls must be your fans?
All of them were really sweet. It was really difficult to learn their names since anyway I'm bad at names. But I managed to learn their film names. Some of them weren't even born when I started out as an actor so they are more likely to be the fans of John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan or Abhishek Bachchan. I like the fact that they are all non-actors. Since acting is all about reacting and since unlike a Kajol or Madhuri whose reactions I can predict, I couldn't do it with these girls. Their reactions were different and the challenge within me was if I could react to this reaction. Maybe that's why I like myself in this film.

Did you like growing the beard?
I hated it. I don't feel clean with a beard on my face. It just doesn't grow well on my face. Since Adi and Shimit have beards they wanted me to sport one too. I think directors like their actors looking like them so in Om Shanti Om I'm going to be looking like Farah Khan, which is even scarier. Jokes aside, the thing about beards is that when you wash your face, the water stays on it, which to me feels dirty. I kept a razor on hand during the entire shoot and just as Shimit used to announce pack up I would start shaving.

Did playing hockey come naturally to you since you're more of a soccer person?
Actually hockey was my favourite sport in school. As a player, I was best at hockey. I still play the game every Sunday with my kids. My dad was a hockey player. It's a difficult sport and requires a lot of skill but I like it since it gives me a feel of being a sportsman. It's like a modern version of the lathi. We were lucky to shoot the film in Australia on astro turfs.

Name some of your favourite sports films?
Any Given Sunday by Oliver Stone is an all time favourite. I also like Escape to Victory and Shaolin Soccer. My son showed me Goal and Goal 2 recently and I quite enjoyed them.

There have been reports that you aren't happy with the film. Comment.
See, you can't be unhappy with a guy like Shimit Amin who has directed this film. He's very sweet and talented. I've known him since Asoka and more than anyone else; I did the film for Shimit. In fact just last night, Adi (Aditya Chopra), Jaideep Sahni and Shimit told me, "Thanks for doing the film for three geeks." So how can I have an issue with these guys?

You've seen the film. Did you like it?
I wouldn't have done it if I didn't like it. Now how the audience reacts to it is not in my control.

Talking about the audience, can you ever predict a hit or a flop?
(Smiles) You want to know the truth? I can predict if a film is a hit or a flop on the third day of the shooting. And when I say hit or a flop I mean a big hit or a big flop. See, when you make a film you've got to think like a fighter. First you need to convince yourself that it'll be a big hit. If that's not the case then you go by other people's conviction or else you pray ki kuch ho jaaye.

But doesn't the pressure get to you since your films are not just compared with your last films but also to films of all the other actors?
(Smiles) Since the last two years, I've detached myself from my films. I don't want to know how my film is faring, I don't want to hard sell a film after it has released. The pressure becomes too much so I've become detached. Otherwise I'll crack under pressure. I also know that we are dealing with a fairly intelligent audience base. I'd like to believe that it is an intelligent audience that has made me a star. I think the audience understands the level of a film. For example Chak De! India is not a Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. It'll not run and rule for 12 years like DDLJ. I'll be happy if it touches 12 hearts and Inshallah recover its money. I try to do one different film every year and many a times I've burnt my fingers. But I'll keep on doing that till I don't burn my hand.

Since Chak De! India is all about team spirit, tell me - are you a team player?
I'm only a team guy. In fact I'm just a manager and let the guys do all the work. I believe that if you don't trust people at the job they are good at then that job will never be done.

What is your reaction to all these numerous French honours being bestowed on you?
I think I look like a French lover. I'm deeply honoured with all their love.

Will we ever get to read your memoirs, Twenty Years Of A Decade?
(Laughs) I don't know. There are already way too many books on me. But I must complete it. It's been a decade since I started it. Maybe in this break I will finish it.

What's the status of KBC?
It won't happen this year. They want to incorporate some of the elements that we introduced, change some elements, change the sets and the music so it'll be sometime mid next year when it'll all happen.

Harneet Singh, ScreenIndia

SRK In Shimit Amin's next

Though at the moment Shimit isn't revealing anything, it's quite evident that the colossal impact of Chak De India has fastened up his desire to embrace the sporty theme. It is reliably learnt that sports and Shah Rukh will recur in Shimit's next.

Writer Jaideep Sahni, who gave such a stunning spin to the obsolete game of hockey, is likely to join the successful twosome in the next Yashraj film.

Says Shimit, "Audiences, do have certain expectations from me after Chak De India. And I'd be foolish not to live up to those expectations. But right now I'm not pushing myself to make my next film. I'm not going to force myself to start my next film. I'm on an extended vacation. I'll be visiting my parents in LA." Further decisions on his next project will only be taken after he returns from "home" in the US.

The big news is that Chak De India has now been given exemption from entertainment tax all over the country. "But the proposal to do so was put forward long before the President saw the film. I think a tax exemption for Chak De India is just the right prescription. Now I think people who never go to the movies can afford to catch Chak De India. I'm glad because it's very important for the film to reach the maximum number of people." Now the ball is in the producer's court.

Cheque de, Yashraj!

Subhash K Jha, IndiaFM

Chak De Phatte!

Chak De Phatte’ wait a min was that wrong, oh yaaah! It’s ‘Chak De India’. A slight alteration in the name and see what a sensation it has become all over the world.

The film Chak De India starring SRK and 16 new girls, has been, talk of the town. It’s bound to accumulate the best awards for this year.

Shimit Amin the director and Jaideep Sahni story writer had gone through an extensive research for the film. And it has paid off well. Amul in its new print ad celebrates the success of Chak De India. The Amul girl dressed in the uniform joins the SRK on the field.

Source: IndiaFM

Chak De India Second weekend performance

One can't remember any movie coming after RANG DE BASANTI which fetched such unanimous appreciation from all corners. While some sections of media had gone all out to paint a poor picture about the film throughout it's making, the audiences came up with a tight slap of it's own as they praised the film to the skies. By the time the Wednesday holiday of 15th August was through, the writing was clear on the wall.

Collecting more than 20 crores in the first week with A, B as well as C centers coming up with heartfelt collections, this offbeat yet thoroughly entertaining film is now en route to be a huge success. The film did tremendous in Mumbai which contributed with more than 5 crores. Delhi was terrific too with 2.5 crores + whereas NCR was tremendous with more than 1.75 crores coming in. Pune was superb with 1.25 crores + while Ahmedabad too came close to 1 crore mark, hence making CHAK DE INDIA an all around success. The way film is being patronized, expect a fall of only around 35% in the second week.

Shahrukh Khan did have a money spinner in KANK followed by a designated hit in DON but still certain sections of media preferred to paint an alternate picture. Thankfully with CHAK DE INDIA, there are no justifications for doing otherwise as the audience has come out in full force for the film. YRF too get one of their most 'respected' earners in the recent time while Shimit Amin finds himself to be recognized as a film maker who can direct an underworld film with as much panache as a sports based film.

The only film that survived the CHAK DE INDIA onslaught and stayed on to be audience favorite was PARTNER. Collecting close to 4 crores after seeing a drop of only around 40% in it's 4th week, the film is standing at close to 58.5 crores and is all set to break the 60 crore barrier as the week comes to a close. Mumbai held on excellently with further contribution of 80 lakhs though Delhi fell from 65 lakhs to 30 lakhs.

In the future

A baby is all set to slaughter a young romantic lead this weekend as HEYY BABYY comes face to face with a small film called KAISE KAHE. HEYY BABYY has created immense hype around itself and is expected to take a very good start (70%-80%) all over. A family film, it would attract audience across all age groups. On the other hand the only hope KAISE KAHE has is a spill over audience, though even that isn't much of a possibility due to a show-an-hour release which HEYY BABYY is enjoying at the multiplexes!

Source: IndiaGlitz

Latest Box Office Report for SRK's Chak De! India

As people got into a weekend mode, the unthinkable happened and the film was running to a houseful response all over. All current booking counters showed a houseful board while tickets for Saturday and Sunday too were sold out pronto. In nutshell, a film that was now slated to be yet another success for Shahrukh Khan.

End of story? Not quite.

Typically the best of films see a fall over the weekdays (as expected) only to pick up again in the weekend to follow. It would have been natural for CHAK DE INDIA to follow the same route to. But did that happen? Not really. The film saw a dip in collections but far lower than what other films have shown in recent times. Also, the dip was observed only on Monday and the first half of Tuesday because as the day came to a close, the holiday mood was back again due to Wednesday being Independence Day.

Situation at the box office on Tuesday evening and entire Wednesday was same as observed over the weekend which meant that the film was simply relentless in accumulating great collections along with immense appreciation.

As things stand today, the film has shown a bumper second weekend with excellent collections on Friday/Saturday with Sunday looking phenomenal too. The film has already collected close to 20 crores from the first week and with hardly any major opposition in second week (MARIGOLD has opened to a disastrous response while BUDDHA MAR GAYA has it's own set of audience), it is widely expected that collections would be tremendous in second week too.

Source: BollywoodTradeNewsNetwork

Chak De India sizzles at multiplexes

Business Talk With Taran Adarsh

Winning critical acclaim is one thing. Raking in big money at the box-office is another. It's not right to mix the two. Let me come to the point right away. CHAK DE INDIA has won tremendous acclaim from all quarters. It's an amazing film in all respects. In fact, the makers deserve brownie points for making an unconventional film with the topmost star of Bollywood. But box-office is a different story altogether…

CHAK DE INDIA started slow, picked up on Saturday and showed a jump on Sunday. At multiplexes of big centres, especially at Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, the film has had a glorious weekend. But the subject and its execution limits it to big city audiences. It's not a film that holds universal appeal [a fact seconded by the Overseas figures]. That explains why its business at single screens ranges from average to below average.

Had CHAK DE INDIA embarked on a 90% + start everywhere [ideally, it should've started with a bang, given the fact that the two giants - YRF and SRK - had been teamed after a hiatus; it can't get bigger than that!] and with Saturday and Sunday figures matching those of Friday, CHAK DE INDIA would've been declared a massive Hit.

But CHAK DE INDIA started on a 40% - 60% note at several screens, but was 20% - 30% at several centres too. Reports from Punjab say that CHAK DE INDIA had a 10% - 20% start at some stations. Things did improve over the weekend, but Monday onwards, while the multiplexes of big centres are performing well [60% +], at centres like Indore [one of the key barometers], the collections at multiplexes on Monday were at par [or lower] with Friday. Have a quick look at the Indore figures -

PVR
Fri - 1,28,000 Sat - 1,89,000 Sun - 2,10,500 Mon - 1,06,600 Tue - 1,12,000
Velocity
Fri - 70,100 Sat - 1,23,000 Sun - 1,69,500 Mon - 43,000 Tue - 56,000
Inox
Fri - 76,000 Sat - 1,16,500 Sun - 2,14,000 Mon - 565,000 Tue - 70,000
Adlabs
Fri - 1,01,200 Sat - 1,63,000 Sun - 1,81,800 Mon - 74,000 Tue - 81,200

Wednesday, 15th August being Independence Day holiday, CHAK DE INDIA got a big boost and the business at multiplexes was impressive.

So what's the final verdict on CHAK DE INDIA? It's good at multiplexes of big centres. In Mumbai, Delhi, Mysore and also a few circuits where multiplexes do contribute to the booty, it stands a good chance of raking in money. Also, it all depends on how it fares in its second weekend.

Source: IndiaFM

Chak De India has no romance and no villain: SRK

More than 2,000 movie buffs attended the world premiere of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak de India, a film on women's hockey in India, at the famous Somerset House. Describing it as a new experience, Khan told the packed gathering at the open air theatre ....

that it was a different kind of movie, "a little irregular film".

"It has a noble thought. It is important to talk about team spirit, women and their role in the world," he told the cheering crowd.

The premiere was part of the film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House and one of the glittering highlights of 'India Now', a three-month season celebrating London's growing relationship with India and exploration of India's culture and contribution to London life.

Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shimit Amin, Chak de India is the comeback story of an ageing hockey player (Khan). The two-and-a-half-hour-long film, which kept the audience spell bound, has Khan starring as a coach, fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of the world hockey.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who was present on the podium with Khan, said "we have many wonderful events taking place across London throughout the three months duration of 'India Now' and the world premiere of Chak de India is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most exciting.

"It is a great honour for London to host this launch event for a film, which, like so many Bollywood blockbusters, touches the hearts and minds of millions across the world."

Asked whether he has any advice to Indian coaches, be it hockey or any other game, on how to win, Khan said "I am only an actor. What advice I can give. It is the job of the coaches to prepare the teams and win matches."

About Chak de India, 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."

"I play the coach. I have 16 girls around me playing hockey. It has no songs but only sporting capabilities. The film has no romance and no villain."

Earlier in the day, the actor joined Sunil Gavaskar in the commentator box at The Oval during India's third and final Test against England, where he said "I occasionally watch Rahul and Sachin and I have grown up watching Sunny Saab."

Khan 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 Chak de India is not country-specific. "It can be Chak de London, Chak de Pakistan or Chak de Bangladesh."

Khan said the audience in UK has always been very kind to him. "I am humbled by the reception I get here."

"Winning or losing is not all that important. What is important is participation in sports. This film teaches sportsmen and women to be positive and aggressive," he said.

Replying to a question, Khan said he spent a month in Australia playing with National Level women hockey players.

Source: KhaleejTimes

Chak De India received a warm welcome

After flooring cine lovers in London, Chak De India - first Indian film based on country's women's hockey team- released to a tremendous response across the country on Friday.

The film, which stars Shahrukh Khan, revolves around the story of a women hockey team that goes onto win a World Cup.

The film received a warm welcome from cricket crazy Indian audience for its subject and storyline.

"The movie was really very nice. It was worth," said one of the cine goers, who admitted of being a great fan of cricket star Sachin Tendulkar than Shahrukh Khan.

"The film gives a push to women hockey players as it could revive public interest in the dying game, which is also our national games," she added.

This film is a shift from a regular Bollywood movie as it diverts from the usual and delves into the unexplored arena of sports.

"The film is very good. It's a complete Shah Rukh Khan film with lots of sporting action," said another viewer.

Not many films have been made on the subject and after 'Lagaan'-which was made on cricket, its 'Chak De India' that comes packed with a heavy dose of hockey for the audiences.

'Chak De India' is a story of a coach's fight of making his team overcome obstacles and motivate his team members to a historic victory.

"What happens to people who play it and what goes on a regular daily basis when you play it? How much training is done, how much drama happens behind the scene. What kinds of characters play this sport? Who plays it actually, when nobody really wants to play and what kind of women are involved in playing this. I had to gain that kind of knowledge," said Shimit Amin, director of the movie whose earlier directed 'Ab Tak Chappan" received rave reviews.

The story depicts a hockey team consisting of a rag-tag bunch of girls who get disillusioned with the system and resort to other games just to get a pensioned job and a secure future.

Their interest and passion is revived by a forgotten a hockey coach, played by Khan, who enters into their lives and fuels them with a new vigour and enthusiasm to take up the sport with a new agenda- to bring laurel for their country.

The film also stars model Vidya Malvade along with a plethora of newcomers including one real life hockey player.

The film is devoid of the typical song-and-dance routine characteristic to Bollywood films.

"It has a very serious take. People who think after seeing a film will like it. People who just want more entertainment, they might be a bit disappointed and say, 'Oh, this is not having a song at all'. But, I think every good thinking person will enjoy the fact that we have attempted something like this," Khan said.

The character of Kabir Khan, the hockey coach, is believed to be inspired by a real-life former goalie Mir Ranjan Negi, who was charged with allegations of match fixing after India lost to Pakistan in 1982 Asian Games.

Seven years later Negi's honour was restored when he was absolved of the charges. He coached the national women's hockey team to win gold at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Source: DailyIndia

“Chak De! India” ( “Go, India!” ) - NYT Review

The making-of-a-team sports movie is a timeworn genre, and yet “Chak De! India” (“Go, India!”) finds new variations. Though the game here is field hockey, those fondly recalling the United States soccer team’s first-place finish in the 1991 Women’s World Cup will find a lot to like.

Of course, there are conventions. Kabir Khan (the assured Bollywood veteran Shahrukh Khan) is a former player for India’s national field hockey team who missed a fateful play against Pakistan, costing a championship and making him a pariah. Seven years later, he is hired to coach the nation’s women’s hockey team, giving him one more shot at a title.

The players, from states all over India, are a fractious lot, including a tomboy (Chitrashi Rawat) whose father fears she will never marry; a forward (Sagarika Ghatge) whose boyfriend, a cricket superstar, wants her to quit the team and live in his shadow; a newlywed goalie (Vidya Malavade) whose in-laws expect her to stay at home; and a haughty, seasoned player (Shilpa Shukla) who needles the coach.

When leering boys at a McDonald’s harass them, a girls-against-boys melee erupts, but the coach doesn’t interfere, knowing the team will prevail — and find its spirit. From there, it’s on to the women’s hockey championships in Melbourne, Australia.

The director, Shimit Amin, strikes a buoyant, propulsive tone, replacing the customary Bollywood production numbers with exhilarating musical montages of team practice. For his part, Mr. Khan, to his credit, lets his co-stars’ youthful charisma carry the movie. He also laudably portrays a man who vigorously and unabashedly advocates the advancement of women.

In fact, the film’s greatest merit is its commentary on sexism in India. As it should, “Chak De! India” gives the women, in the closing credits, the last word.

CHAK DE! INDIA

Opened yesterday nationwide.

Directed by Shimit Amin; written (in Hindi, with English subtitles) by Jaideep Sahni; edited by Amitabh Shukla; music by Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant; art director, Sukant Panigrahy; produced by Aditya Chopra; released by Yash Raj Films. In Manhattan at the Imaginasian Theater, 239 East 59th Street. Running time: 152 minutes. This film is not rated.

WITH: Shahrukh Khan (Kabir Khan), Vidya Malavade (Vidya Sharma), Chitrashi Rawat (Komal), Sagarika Ghatge (Preeti) and Shilpa Shukla (Bindia Naik).

By: ANDY WEBSTER Source: NewYorkTimes

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.