Sports films like these are always filled with unavoidable cliches - underdog taking a one and a million shot at glory and success, the fight against all odds and seeminly unsurmountable problems, fallen heroes seeking redemption. And in spite of all this Chak De works for me, much better than Lagaan.
I know it would be an unforsaken sin to speak so, but then, I couldnt help it, Lagaan had so much going in favor of it - known faces of actors, cricket - which, in India, every kid knows, plays and connects to emotionally, and of course the eternal upmanship with England, which, even 60 yrs after independence, remains one of the favourite collective pastimes of the nation. And yet, somehow i couldnt enjoy Lagaan the way i did Chak De.... maybe coz of the slickness of the script. Lagaan just dragged on and on....
If Shah Rukh the star, pulled you to the cinema hall, it's Shah Rukh the actor, who is gonna keep you gripped. The director has never tried to glorify the character Kabir. And SRK reflects that aptly. He was there for his own reason and was guided by his own reason.
I was really fascinated by the dry wit in Kabir Khan’s character, as a result of 7 years of self-imposed exile ,a result of a system that has completely let him down. The almost despotic need to redeem himself.
If ability, capability and expertise were all that was needed to win a match, sports would have been a different ball game altogether. And this is what Kabir Khan( SRK) believed in.
And in a way, the movie raises its voice against a system that still believes women to be below men, not only in sports, but everywhere in life. Which still believes that women should wield 'chakla-belan' instead of hockey sticks. The symbolism in the movie is poignant.
So even if you're a non-SRK fan, you gotta go 'n see the guy perform. And if you still remain unconvinced, just tell me one actor who would have dared to risk a script which has no usual B-masala.
The movie takes u on a taut emotional joyride of anguish, pain, helplesness, empathy... and then again, the euphoria, joy and redemption of watchin the girls win. Of having the courage to believe in themselves and watching a nations dream come true.
As for the girls, well they are the face of the entire film. Even the word 'brilliant' would be an understatement. Each deliver their unique performance in style.
They make you laugh, they make you giggle, they make you sit there and realise that they are out their to perform and would not goof it up for anything.
And the most breathtaking momemt of the match??? No, not the last penalty shot getting converted into a goal. Being the cynic I am, and knowing what hindi movies are like, I must admit I knew the end was goin to be a foregone conclusion.
What really took my breath away was the team lookin gorgeously radiant in their saris. In a cocktail dinner with the other girls in their gowns, the indian team looked Oh-so-beautiful in their saris.
Agreed the film is not without flaws. It is kind of silly to imagine that a no-show team can be shaped into world champions in just three months. But then there has to be some line between reel and real.
The verdict : Watch it . PLZZZZZZZZZZZ. If u dont, u ll miss some real good comin-of-age Indian cinema.
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