Real play-Shahrukh Khans Chak de India

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Posted: 18 years ago

Real play

SRK's Chak De India tells the story of former hockey coach Mir Ranjan Negi. Negi plays a role in the film too

Shah Rukh Khan in Chak de

Yash Raj Production's Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak De India retells the story of former Indian hockey goalkeeper and coach of the national women's team Mir Ranjan Negi. The plot traces the journey of a troubled player who was charged with match-fixing after India lost out to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games at New Delhi. Later, he went on to coach the national women's team that won gold in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. Shah Rukh may be playing a grizzly bearded Negi in the film, but even Negi has a pivotal role in the film.

Producer Aditya Chopra primarily wanted Negi to on the sets to assist Shah Rukh and also to ensure that the scenes in the hockey field looked authentic. However, in no time he was handed out a role. He had also accompanied the cast and the crew to Australia where a major portion of the film was shot. A reliable source tells us, "Before we started shooting, Negi sir had spent quite a few days with Shah Rukh. He shared all his experiences and gave major inputs as far as the game is concerned. Negi sir was later given a role in the film. He shot to perfection and film looks good."

The source further adds, "For Negi sir ,it was like re-living the past. There have been times when he had broken down. He had tremendous courage as he proved everyone wrong when the women's team bagged gold in the field hockey category."

Going by the tradition, the production house has given a gag order to Negi along with the cast and crew members. However, the story-line and exclusive stills in possession of this paper clearly indicate that it is based on Negi's life and times. The on-line synopsis of Chak De India as available is: The film follows a coach, who is fighting his personal demons as he takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.

Negi, however, refused to comment.

• For Negi sir, it was like re-living the past. There have been times when he had broken down – A Source

WHO IS MIR RANJAN NEGI ?

Mumbai-based former hockey goalkeeper and coach Mir Ranjan Negi was probed for alleged match-fixing after India's humiliating 1-7 loss to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games hockey final. In 1998, Negi's honour was redeemed when he was named India's goalkeepers' coach for Bangkok from where India returned with an Asian Games gold medal after 32 years. In 1999, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) invited Negi to take charge of the 11 goalkeepers selected for the 2000 Olympics. Later, he coached the national women's team that also won gold at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.