This year many biggies have bitten the dust. One of the major debacles was from the Yash Raj Film camp itself - Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, which, apart from being ripped apart by the critics, didn’t do as expected at the BO.
So obviously, my apprehensiveness about their next film was quite understandable.
1.Will the’sports based’ movie be any good?
2.Will Shah Rukh Khan be able to pull off the role of a hardened coach?
3.Will it manage to resurrect Yash Raj Films from the creative and financial rut their in?*
At long last, the movie s here. Putting all my speculation to rest - and the end verdict is.(read on!)
Chak De India, moves along the same lines as any(sports-based) underdog movie. The positive aspect lies in the simplicity of the storytelling, rather then relaying on YRF usual doses glamor, gloss and grandeur. Don’t get me wrong, the movie is very body-beautiful, but(thankfully) it doesn’t lack a soul.
Summary: Former Indian hockey captain - Kabir Khan(SRK) has been appointed the new coach for the national women’s hockey team. In a country where women’s hockey has no regard, Kabir Khan is faced with the difficult task of leading a bunch of rag tag sportswomen to the World Championship. Combined with the difficultly of facing his inner demons and his determination to avenge his honor. The job ain’t easy, but someone’s gotta do it! Chak De India is a story about a determined coach who dared to dream the impossible, and his 16 players, who gave their all for themselves, their coach, their team and their country.
After Company and Khosla Ka Ghosla, Jaideep Sahni has penned yet another good script! As I’ve said before, the movies story is the biggest strength, and quite rarely we get to see good and unconventional scripts in Bollywood. This is one of the few times.
Much of the first half was dedicated to character development - which was an important aspect, so some of the yawn-worthy sequences can be overlooked as a minor drawback.
The latter half is definitely the more entertaining one. The World Championship being the main focus.
This half moves at a brisk pace, its action packed and has plenty of suspenseful moments on the field. The execution of the hockey matches is impressive, more realistic then the racing sequences in TRRP and more exciting then the boxing matches in Apne.
Cinematography is par-excellence! There are some amazing moments in the film, emotional and poignant. Specially mentioning the whole’Sattar Minute’ sequence.
Surely the film isn’t devoid of any flaws too.
Apart from the somewhat boring first half, some sequences were just plain silly: The brawl at McDonalds for one. And the climax scene with SRK and his mother could have been more moving.
Performances: SRK plays the subdued, determined, spirited coach in the best possible manner. In fact, after Swades and Don, this can be counted as one his finest since 2000. And thankfully, he doesn’t over-the-top or cry at any given point. SRK should definitely concentrate more on such roles and leave candy-floss cinema to the likes of Shahid Kapur.
I have to admit, I had my reservations about the new girls. But they all(in baseball lingo) knocked one outta the park! All girls performed well up to the task, but special mention to four girls - Komal, Balbir, Preeti and Bindya, who acted well and oozed confidence, despite it being their first time on screen.
Remainder of the character actors do a good job. From the start, you’re eyes are focused only on SRK and the team of girls, that you hardly give a second thought to anyone else.
Music: Barring the rocking title song, the remaining numbers are just about okay. Although, the placement of the songs are done well. All are situational, and none hinder proceedings in any way. Background music goes well with the theme of the film.
Overall: Answering my three initial questions.
1.Yes! Its a good sports based film. Although its no Lagaan, nor do we expect it to be.
2 Yes!.SRK manages to pull of the role very convincingly.
3.Hard to say. Going by the luck of YRF lately, and the off-beat theme of this movie. I don’t think it will emerge victorious at the BO. But I would loved to be proved wrong.
Director Shimit Amin has successfully managed to make sensible at the same time entertaining cinema. Will it revive overall interest in Hockey? That, only time will tell. It has heavy tones of feminism, and different characters dealing with their own personal prejudices. But at the end of it, it doesn’t divert from the main plot. Which I was more than thankful for. It’s not great cinema, but it’s definitely one of this years best!
Recommended.*
Rating: 3/5.