Way to go!

I’m not a sympathiser of Hindi films from Bollywood. In fact, I’m a staunch critic, cursing their plagiarism (of foreign films), their song-and-dance sequences, and their melodrama. So, when I label a Bollywood film with a ‘Way to go!’ cheer, believe me, I mean it.

It’s not everyday that I get to see an inspiring Hindi film. The last film to leave me so inspired was ‘Rang De Basanti’, a year and a half ago. But, when I saw ‘Chak De India’ last night, I was indeed inspired. Here was a Bollywood film without plagiarism, song and dance, or melodrama. Yet, it drew crowds by the millions. It connected with the people of India.

‘Chak De India’ is a film on sports; women’s hockey to be exact. The genre, thankfully, has not been done to death in India. And, from what I could see, focusing on women and women’s sports has helped it to win over its female audience. Hockey, too, has been an underdog in India, having been beaten to the post by a mile by cricket, in spite of its position as India’s national sport.

It’s a simple film: about the indomitable spirit of the underdogs winning the world championship against great odds. To this extent, I feel, the film truthfully reflects the sentiments of our country today. Collectively and individually.

‘Chak De India’ stars Shah Rukh Khan, definitely the star of Bollywood today, in the lead role of the coach of the women’s hockey team. He has a past… and a point to prove to the world. Yet, he plays out a subdued, unlike-Bollywood hero’s role, letting the women players in the team take their respective leads. And, they do that wonderfully. Therein lies the film’s charm.

The plot takes more or less a straight path: a near-to-life presentation of the politics, the stigma, the drama and the egos that come in the way of our success, not just in sports but in so many situations in our lives. But, as the adage goes, you just can’t kill the spirit of the underdog… especially if there’s a little help from the Almighty.

And so, there are two turning points in the film, both charged with emotion: one, a powerful physical bashing-up of men at a McDonald’s where the team finds its spirit; and the second, an emotional moment when the men’s hockey team makes a tribute to the women’s team after the women’s team loses to the men.

And, all through, Shah Rukh Khan is on the sidelines, letting things just be. What wonderful direction!

‘Chak De India’ is also a social commentary on some of India’s cultural mores; but you would have guessed that already. If you haven’t seen the film yet, I’d suggest you do it now!