WHILE MOST of the Bollywood movies with sports as their theme have failed to make an impact except Lagaan, it is likely that ‘Chak De India’ starring Shahrukh Khan will break the jinx. The movie is about the grit and determination of Indian girls hockey team, which is transformed into a world beater by none other than our Shah Rukh Khan, who features as a coach in the movie.

Khan’s character is based on former real-life goalie Mir Ranjan Negi, who conceded seven goals against Pakistan in the final of the 1982 Asian Games. The rag-tag bunch of girls have forgotten how it is to play for India and the fact that a game is played for the love of it, not for the pay and perks which come with it.

The film pricks on the conscience of the Indian sportsmen, who often are more concerned about government jobs and admissions into top medical and engineering institutes rather than playing for the national team. Shah Rukh Khan’s team like the usual Indian sports people are devoid of any motivation to win as most of their aspirations are fulfilled by playing for the country, leave alone winning.

Kabir Khan 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, Kabir Khan believes that if only the girls played as one, anything would be possible because Kabir believes that it is not that we can’t win it’s just that we have never believed we can.

Devoid of song and dance sequences where a heroine croons around the hero in the beautiful locales of Switzerland, Chak De is a story about the makeover of an average team into world champions. Shah Rukh, a natural sportsman and also a hockey player has performed the role of the hockey coach with élan. Despite facing some problems initially, he looks like a real life hockey player, though the aura and glamour is always visible.

Director of the film, Shimit Amin, said that Chak De projects the national sport in an innovative manner and showcases the strength of Indian character. He said that teamwork can always do wonders and the same is shown in the film. The music of Chak De is devoid of any romantic angle and the movie opens with ‘dhol’ beats. Sukhvinder Singh is spirited as usual in this track that highlights the glory of India. ’Chak De India’ is a kind of number which has the potential to grow on you after the audience has seen the film.

The film is slated to be released on August 10.