**Chak de India** - Finally therz something for all the hardcore moviebuffs**(especially who expect quality cinema from YRF).**This is not at all the typical YRF movie, for which the banner is well known. However, YRF has made a welcome diversion .Chak De succeeds, well almost, in making us forget the debacle called JBJ.
**Chak de .works and really in a big way**.It proves that movies with "Sports" as it themes can entertain and appeal to a larger audience, provided it is well made.It proves, at the end of the day, a good script, skilled direction, nice performances, well executed sequences matter in such movies and not necessarily the theme. It is immaterial what the sport is being depicted, whether it is cricket, football, hockey or boxing.
**In short, Chak de turns out highly entertaining and holds you to your seats till the last scene. Ofcourse there are blemishes, more on that later.
The Plot: -** **Kabir Khan(SRK) **used **to play for National Hockey team, seven years back**.He was chucked out of the team and **was branded as a "traitor/gaddar", ** because in a match with pakistan he failed to score a goal out of a penalty in the last couple of minutes of the match. India lost the match and Kabir was accused that he favored the Pakistani team.A scuffle with the media blew the matter out of proportion and he was thrown out of the team.No one knew wher he went.
**Seven years later.**
One day, after seven years, Kabir suddenly pops up and applies for the post of the coach for women’s hockey team.
The committee has gathered to decide the fate of the Womens National Hockey team.They are not really enthusiastic about sending the team to the worldcup.Also for them, it doesnt matter who coaches this team(anyway they are going to loose.arent they).One of the members suggests kabir’s name for coach(this guy had played with Kabir in the past and has faith in him).half-heartedly the committee agrees for Kabir.
Now, we are introduced to the 16 girls selected for the national squad.Each from different place.Each with their share of problems.Each with their own ego and emotional baggage.
There are hurdles galore for Kabir to coach this team to win the worldcup:-
**1. Barring few, each player plays for herself, rather than the team.
2. Senior players are not happy about the new coach and changes in their playing positions, by the new coach.
3. Some Players look down upon other players and always try to prove they are superior.
4. No one believes this team is going to survive the tournament for more than couple of matches.
5. Importantly, the team itself doesnt believe in its capabilities.
**Kabir overcomes hurdle by hurdle .Makes all the girls understand that **a bunch of great players doesnt necessarily make a great team.
**Kabir’s ways are not easy.They are hard and gruelling.After initial reluctance, the team accept him, not everyone though.
So.now its a challenge for Kabir to coach this bunch of girls to be competitive enough for the world cup.Help them overcome their differences and play as a team.How the girls learn to do so and how they triumph, inspite of being called the underdogs is best watched on the screen**.And these portions are really engrossing and are highlights of Chak De.
Performances - **Kabir Khan is a guy, who is fighting for his lost honor.Hes professional, sarcastic and sometimes eccentric.ShahRukh’s portrayal is brilliant.He fits the role.Moreover his look is well suited.In some sequences(rarely), we do see glimpses of typical SRK. Certainly this is not his best. But still overall, I feel this was an amazing performance.
**The "gang of girls" is amazing**. The chemistry, they share, among themselves and with SRK is brilliant.I dont know the actors who performed the roles.But the girls/characters **who stand out are - Bindiya Naik, Balbir Kaur, Komal Choutala, Vidya Sharma, Preeti.
**
**Screenplay, story and dialogues** - Jaideep Sahni has done a commendable job.Screenplay is tight and highly effective.Though there isnt much of a story, but the sequences and the events are written very well.Dialogues are very good.
**Direction** - Shmit Amin is a guy to look out for.After the grim and serious** "Ab tak Chappan**", he handles Chak De with amazing ease and shows his versatility.Kudos to him for making an entertaining film.
**Music** - Salim- Sulaiman have scored the music.Chak de could have done without songs.Still the title track is really good and goes well with the story.Other songs are mere gap fillers.
Cinematography and background score are done well.Overall, the movie boasts of a very good technical crew.
**Now the blemishes:-
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There isnt much of a story.Though well written, sometimes **you feel the sequences getting repititive(training scenes, the worldcup matches)**.Some sequences look forced and little immature**(a fight at the restaurent between the girl gang and some eve teasers).** The writer could have though of a better sequence. Few people looking for realistic cinema, will find it dramatic.
**All said, the movie is worh watching.This tale of the triump of the underdogs is sure to win lots of hearts.
My verdict -
3.5/5.So just Chak de this independence day:)
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