Go for it girls, make your country proud

Rating: Null/10 (25 August 2007)

In my opinion 'Chak De India' is a better film than director Shimit Amin's previous effort. Even though this film is predictable, it offers something new (to Indian cinema). It starts off very well, with Kabir Khan (Shahrukh Khan) losing the match, then being branded as a traitor and eventually he is ostracized. Years later, he comes back for a second chance and coaches the girl's national hockey team.
I liked Amin's way of storytelling. He shows the interaction between the girls with a touch of humour and lightness that make it stand out. Though he does focus on some of the players, unfortunately, as a consequence the rest are left only to fill space. I found the two girls Molly and Mary and the girl with the language barrier very interesting and it would have been nice if Amin also gave them more substance. It would have been interesting to learn a little bit more about the rest of players too. But maybe Amin wanted to keep the length of the film shorter.
The girls (those who got the meaty roles) all do well with their part. It is as much their film as it is Kabir Khan's film. Shahrukh plays his part with ease and delivers a wonderful performance (after years). It's great to see him back with substantial roles in substantial movies. I think it's good of Amin to not revolve the screenplay only around Shahrukh's character.
'Chak De India' is not only a sports-film. It also demonstrates the importance of hockey that is overshadowed by the popularity of cricket. We see that no one, except for Kabir, thought these girls would make it because they are 'just girls' and because hockey itself is 'no big deal' in India. It is Kabir who teaches these girls to have faith in themselves and go for it (Chak De). To him, it is much more than a second chance.
The ending is predictable (but isn't that the case with most sports movie?) but that doesn't stop one from enjoying the film. Amit could have probably made use of some editing especially during the tour scenes (which slow down the pace). Indeed one of the better Indian films of the year.