Sometime winning is everything.
As the baseline of the movie says, winning is really everything and this movie is a winner. Written by Jaideep Sahni, produced by Aditya Chopra, directed by Shimit Amin, starring Shahrukh Khan and a bunch of endearing young women, I watched this movie twice before writing this. I watched it twice because I wanted to. The movie is awesome in all means !
The tale of a disgraced player taking on an underdog team to redeem himself and make a point is no new storyline (in Indian cinema it could be) but what holds this movie together is its sense of purpose. The movie is made to tell a tale and that’s what it does. Shimit Amin has a talent for tight storytelling which was evident in his Ab Tak Chappan. Jaideep Sahni’s writing goes absolutely in sync with Shimit Amin’s style, Salim Suleiman’s score is memorable and adds soul to an already tight narrative and of course the production values are taken care of by Yash Raj films. Let’s not forget this movie does for Hockey, what a Lagaan could not do for Indian cricket (yup…that’s’ because the cricket team’s not doing too great is it, while the hockey team in reaching the top spot once again)
The latest is that this movie is being included in some management school curriculum and I can see why. The movie is a lesson for any kind of team oriented existence be it in sports or even in corporate life. After Lagaan, this is one movie which again instills the feeling of passion, purpose, conviction and teaming in spite of surmounting challenges, opposition, politics and everything else put together. Being in the corporate world myself I couldn’t help but relate to the situations in the movie, from the conviction to the politics, the support to the dissent, the oldies in the team resenting change to the newbies being unsure, there’s everything you want in this movie. You want a situation you will find it, you want a learning you will get it. Its to teaming and winning what The Godfather is to life, answering every question you can ask.
The movie takes you a on a roller coaster ride, which is impeccably predictable, knowingly understated but yet…you fall in love with this piece of cinematic brilliance. You know what’s happening, you know what’s going to happen but yet you wait with bated breath to watch it unfold.
The girls playing the team of girls are outstanding and Shahrukh Khan is absolutely controlled and a superstar beyond measure for being the star and yet allowing the team to star in this sporty movie. I have always been a fan of Shahrukh Khan the superstar but after this movie, I do believe that he can act, act within the confines of a character.
The girls led by the experienced but authority-resistant Bindiya Naik (Shilpa Shukla), the quite Gunjan, perky Aliyah Bose(Anaitha Nair ),matured Vidya Sharma (Vidya Malavade), strong and hot-tempered Balbir, Mary Ralte, the very cute and endearing Komal Chautala (Chitrashi Rawat), the attractive Preeti Sabharwal (Sagarika Ghagte) and many others who can put some established actresses to shame come together as the Indian Women’s hockey team and rule the screen for over 2.5 hours along with their coach Kabir Khan (Shahrukh).
The story commences with India losing a final to Pakistan in the men’s world cup due to the captain Kabir Khan missing a penalty and then facing the ire of the media and the public. With allegations of being a Pakistan supporter Kabir Khan leaves his locality and goes into obscurity, for 7 years. A bunch of bureaucratic never-been-on-the-field administrators of the hockey association are sitting over the coach’s job for the Indian Women’s Hockey team and Kabir Khan takes up the job.
It gets interesting from here on with coach Kabir trying to build a team first, rather than teach hockey. There are unforgettable characters in the team, take the tiny dynamo Komal Chautala for example. From Haryana, this little cutie absolutely holds your attention with her rapid fire dialogue delivery. I can go on and on about the cast because they are brilliant. The team faces many a hurdle right from their practice sessions to getting their chance in the world-championships in Australia but eventually get there. And, what unfolds there is a combination of brilliant photography, tight scriptwriting, some excellent technical support & great production of the hockey scenes. What you get are scenes of absolute natural action, yet nail-biting suspense.
The scenes between the girls when they first register for the training camp, the scene when they first go to their dormitories, the first training session, the hockey match with the men’s team and all the championship hockey matches are awesome.
While I do not want to give away the climax, although I did mention it is all predictable, let me just say that having watched this movie twice I still did not lose out on the thrill because the characters and the story overpowers the action. You want to hear those dialogues again, you want to see Kabir Khan’s passion again, you want to admire the young expressions again and you will want to watch this movie again and again….
Shimit Amin is definitely a director to watch out for. Shahrukh Khan is King. This gang of girls rule !
Great Post!
it’s really an awesome film..i saw it 4 times.rather calling it as a film u can call it as a spirited indian’s(sharukh khan) come back to clear his name.
Saket Vaidya wrote:
it was a nice movie having all the ingrdients to make movie thrilling and exciting
ya ,
somtime wining is everything !
this is a great film……..this shows wat man is capable of…..
Chak De! india is a very motivational movie…. The film which is 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. Chak De will help understand concepts like human resource management, strategy, motivation, determination, skills, leadership, ambition and making the most out of the worst kind of situations.
SERIOUSLY SHAHRUK ROCKS
marvellous movie..great job.
Chak de is a really inspirational movie…jus look at our hockey,footbal n cricket teams…they hav started winning in every field after the release of Chak de…i myself felt the gush of adrenaline while watching the movie…i loved the movie so much that i’ve stored it on my laptop and watch it wenever i require boosting of my self-esteem….its a great movie….CHAK-DE INDIA…
great movie
a great message also provided by movie is ” unity is strength” by this a team can do any thing and have 99.99999999999999999% chance of winning.
if there is no unity then a team can never win .
fantastic post!! wonderful film, it really mean TEAM SPIRIT can achive victory in any system.
It was really nice to read a post like this. I am not sure for how long we are going to hold on to this dream created by the director. We currently are victims of the exponentially overgrown and extremely influential stream called MEDIA. We dont get to see what we want to see we only get to see what they want us to see.
I am sure nobody will actually bother to set a reminder in their Television for the next Hockey match but we may think of getting the statdium tickets for the next India cricket match.
So my question is : Was the director successful in proving his point ? The answer is NO.
One recent post in IBN had a photo where we saw SHAHRUKH KHAN ( KABIR KHAN fame ) waving the Indian Flag in the Twenty20 world cup finals. Well I didnt see him visiting any Hockey match recently !! or in that case any other game.
My second question is : Why do we need to depend on a film to realise that we are overlooking some sport ? Its sad isnt it !!
I would love to see an article where in we have boasted about the capabilities and incapabilities of our Hockey, badminton and chess players… !!
I l
Its really great to see that first time in the Bollywood we promote our National Game-Hockey.
and the role played by Shahrukh Khan is also appreciable.
Shahrukh with 16 Galzzz … Wat else u expect…Movie has to be super hit.. The Film was really motivational…..and inspiring .. never consider u as a loser in life, Stand again and prove yourself…
A great motivational movie…As u said Chak De is the new principle adopted by students of management and even by corporates… It emphasises the strength of teamwork….Shahrukh Khan is beyond doubt a great actor.. v could see him even during the T20 world cup in South Africa cheering team India…. Now Chak De posters r a common sight everywhere…
that article was fabulous
i personally liked that movie very much…
it was a completely different film with a great theme which caused blood rush through my nerves…
…
superb
call me cynic or anything but the fact is as an entertainment the movie is good but is far from facts. when is the last time u saw a bengali player in indian hockey team.also the way team india wins the world cup is like senegal winning the football world cup in 2002.although i admire the performances by actors it was really glamourised for the silver screen.
Chak De
gr8 post
I saw this movie the very first show in mumbai
good movie
but as u said was predictable even the climax
right
I think u actually dipped into the movie
People should look forward for english movies
there are so many
say The Titans,etc etc
There are many good movies
As far as Sharuk is considered He is a good actor and the girls did a gr8 job
which made this movie good
Its a Awesome one….. Keep rocking…….
This movie was real boost to Indian Hockey players as is evident from the results of the both male-female hockey teams. I think the main issue raised by the movie was the maladministration of the hockey association (which still holds) but it showed that how in difficult situations sheer efforts and dedication can really lift our morale and yield results in our favour.
… “CHAK DE INDIA”…
<p>yes this movie really is a big fun…but the point to be noticed is as this movie came at box office,it influenced people of india whether its a coincidence or the wishes of people, soon after this movie india won asia cup in hockey n t-20 in cricket.In real sense the whole indian mob is saying “chak de india”<br />
yes india always be like tht…</p>
Hey guys,
Im not a movie buff.. But i will like to say one thing it about this particular movie a perfect masala with tadka ….. It really forces a person to dream and follow his dream no matter what happens…
The climax surely would have moved everyone to the tip of chair like watching the original match.The views in this post increased my eagerness to watch tis movie once again. I feel the most wonderful thing in the film s choosing hockey our national game.