Only Shah Rukh Khan could have done justice to the role of a disgraced Indian hockey player in “Chak De! India”, says the film’s director.

Shimit Amin’s film sees the superstar essaying the role of Kabir Khan, a Muslim player who misses a do-or-die penalty shootout against Pakistan in the final of a world championship.

The incident leads to Khan’s ouster from the Indian team on charges of match-fixing but he is redeemed when seven years later, he returns as the coach of a ragtag women’s national hockey team and guides them to World Cup glory.

“I had no one else in mind for the role. I don’t think anyone else could give such an inspiring performance than him as Kabir Khan,” said Amin.

“The screenplay was written keeping him in mind and he fitted the character beautifully.”

A film inspired by the true story of former hockey goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi, blamed for India’s 1-7 loss to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games, “Chak De! India” has already won several awards since its release in August.

Amin feels that the film’s story, a digression from Bollywood’s routine formulas of mushy romances, melodramas and revenge sagas combined with peppy song-and-dance routines, also added to Shah Rukh Khan’s performance.
“The script had freshness to it. The industry had not seen a film like this before and it certainly was the USP,” he said.

“Chak De! India” revived interest in hockey and the film’s title song has become a sort of anthem cheering Indian teams to victory in various sporting events.

“It is phenomenal seeing the kind of response Chak De is getting,” said Amin. “Sports films are very complicated to pull off but I’m happy that it has touched the hearts of many.”

Categories: Chak De India, Shahrukh Khan
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