Movie Review: Chak De India

Yashraj Films, King Khan, India’s true national sport, patriotism and team work all mix smoothly together to give us the big release of the season: Chak De India.

With Shimit Amin in the director’s chair and Shah Rukh Khan playing a role sans a leading lady opposite him, Yashraj Films ventures away from the beaten path of dramatic love stories. The focus of this film is sport, Hockey to be precise. The story is about Kabir Khan, an ex-Indian Hockey team player who misses a crucial goal against Pakistan and is disgraced by his team mates and the country for it. Seven years after that fateful match he returns to the spotlight, this time to coach a team of girls in whom the Hockey Federation has no confidence. What follows is a whirlwind of emotions and nail biting scenes.

Shah Rukh Khan teaches the girls how to be a team, how to fall in love with the sport and how to take pride in playing for your country. His performance is memorable as there is no quivering lower lip or teary, blood-shot eyes. He delivers all the required intensity and emotion without going overboard. The team of girls all play their parts well, each defining her individual character.

The film has you on the edge of your seat and glued to the screen from start to finish. It’s an emotional roller coaster and through the laughing and crying not one but many messages come across strong, and camaraderie, patriotism, hard work and self-respect are just a few of them.

Chak De India is a must watch. Click here to find out what time the hit film is playing at a theatre near you.