‘CHAK‘CHAK DE’DE’ ShahShah RukhRukh KhanKhan inin newnew avataravatar fter playing the role of a young lover final. He was dropped from the team. Negi ‘Dil To Paagal Hai’, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ and in several romantic films, he got returned to the hockey field, most grudging- ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ built on that persona. Soon A tagged as the best entertainer in the ly, 16 years later as a goalkeeping coach and Shah Rukh became a superhero and directors country. But Shah Rukh Khan has surprised helped India in winning the 1998 Asian began to concentrate on his image, manner- everyone with his latest ‘Chak De! India’ Games men’s gold at Bangkok and the isms and style. As a result, he never got where his performance as a hockey coach women’s gold at the Manchester enough chance to prove his versatility as one establishes him as a mature actor in Commonwealth Games in 2002. who could ably play non-conventional roles. Bollywood. Shah Rukh convincingly portrays the Film critic Anumpama Chopra’s recently If writer Jaideep Sahni and director Shimit shame, disillusionment of the disgraced released book King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Amin are getting accolades for making such hockey player and determination to win back Khan and the Seductive World of Indian an unconventional film, Shah Rukh too is his prestige. Negi, who was roped in as a Cinema reveals that diverse roles give Shah winning praise for his natural performance as technical director of the film, said he was Rukh creative satisfaction. Kabir Khan, the disgraced hockey player who impressed by Shah Rukh’s performance. He is The actor, who is often accused of playing tries to redeem his prestige by coaching the a fine actor and evoked the right emotions in safe and not working with untried directors, women’s hockey team and making them win- the movie. He has done justice to the role, played negative roles in ‘Baazigar’ and ‘Darr’. ners. Negi said. He has tried to play unconventional roles — Those who thought ‘Swades’ was Shah Aditya Chopra’s mega hit ‘Dilwale in ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’, as a journal- Rukh’s best performance, as an Indian Dulhania Le Jayenge’ gave the actor the yup- ist, in’ Asoka’, a historical, and ‘Devdas’, as American NASA scientist who comes home pie romantic hero image, and other hits like an alcoholic lover. But the films, though on a visit only to get involved in development appreciated, didn’t benefit him much. projects in a village, will be surprised with his But it was Ashotosh Gowariker’s ‘Swades’ emoting in ‘Chak De! India’. which was the turning point in his career, While fans say they are proud of him for which critics described as his coming of age. choosing an unusual film like this, critics are His performance as NASA scientist Mohan raving about how effortlessly he plays a Bhargava didn’t show a single trace of his coach who travels to glory from gloom. iconic attitude. He immersed himself in his Critic Andy Webster in his review in New character and wowed both critics and fans. York Times writes: “For his part, Mr. Khan, to People can go on arguing whether Aamir his credit, lets his co-stars’ youthful charisma Khan or Irrfan Khan or Amitabh Bachchan is carry the movie. He also laudably portrays a a better actor than Shah Rukh, but the fact man who vigorously and unabashedly advo- remains that the superstar is being accepted cates the advancement of women.” as the best and one shouldn’t underestimate The film is based on former India goal- his potential. keeper Mir Ranjan Negi who lost his glory Such is the performance of Shah Rukh as after conceding several goals in a match Kabir Khan that it will live with the audience against Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games for a long time. !
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