The Chak De girls, a year later

A year after the film released on Independence Day, we catch up with the girls, and see what they have been up to. Take a look!

Her Chak De character: I loved the graph of my character, Preeti Sabarwal. She goes through this transition where she changes for the better, and finds the courage to leave her boyfriend, who has no respect for her as a hockey player.

Life after Chak De: Life has changed for the better. It has made me more confident and opened more doors for me. I've had many film offers that I'm looking at.

I'm doing a film with Arjun Rampal and Sunny Deol called Fox. I'm also the brand ambassador for Reebok's women line, as well as for Naples Aviation School.

Fans have sent me flowers and stuff. I keep getting sweet messages on my cellphone, even phone calls. They all have such encouraging things to say. Sometimes, it gets awkward when a stranger calls on my private number. But otherwise, it's all good.

Are you in touch with Shah Rukh and rest of the hockey team? I'm in touch with Vidya and Anaitha. I think the last time the entire team was together was during the award season.

Her Chak De character: I've seen Chak De 14 times and everytime I feel Bindya changes a bit. She's the best player of the team and pretty much a go-getter. It's implied she'd do absolutely anything for what she wants but I think Bindya is true sportsperson and a true Indian.

Life after Chak De: I have a better understanding of the way things work.

I am one of the leads in the film, Junction along with Abhay Deol and Vidya Malvade. The film is taking a little while but it's on its way. I've done White Popcorn Production's Mumbai Mast Kalander, which is a clean madcap comedy. I played a hairdresser. Then I'm doing UTV Spot Boy's Season Greetings, directed by Vicky Chopra. I'm working with Tabu. I just love her and I'm so lucky to work with her.

After Chak De, I was getting negative roles. I turned them down. People have suddenly released that I can be sweet. So I'm glad I waited. I'm getting better scripts now.

It was crazy earlier. Fans would mob us at certain venues and events. But I'm very thankful for the fans, who have been so appreciative of the film and my performance in it.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? I meet most of them for coffee or at parties. Tanya has just moved to Mumbai. We recently met Shah Rukh at the Zee Awards show.

Your Chak De character: Aliya is an outgoing person and one of seniormost players in the team. She is absolutely boy crazy.

Life after Chak De: As an actor, it has become easier to call up people for auditions. The fact that the film was such a huge success was a blessing. Initially, for the first few months, the Chak de media frenzy was really exciting. All of us travelled all over the country. But after a while, it became too much. There was really nothing left to say.

I'm in Nagesh Kukunoor's Aashayein, along with John Abraham. I shaved my head for the film, as I play a cancer patient living out my last days in a hospital. John plays a compulsive gambler. I have also done ads like Fruti and Dove Shampoo.

I want to continue acting. Because of my performance in Aashayein, people don't think I'm glamorous. I'm being offered serious and offbeat roles.

Fans have been nothing but nice. They would first approach me to confirm whether I'm indeed Aliya.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? Most of us meet now and then. I'm in touch with Kimberly, Shilpa, Shubhi and Vidya. The last time all of us met was at the Screen awards where the cast was nominated for an award.

Your Chak De character: She was one of the senior players, along with Bindya and Aliya. For her, the team was more important than personal glory.

Life after Chak De: Before Chak De, I'd done a cameo in Saara Aakash. I hated the experience and had sworn off scripted fiction. Luckily, Chak De happened immediately, and it changed my mind about films and television series.

I'm doing a film called Mere Khwaabon Mein Jo Aaye, directed by Madhureeta. My character is slightly negative, a bit of a troublemaker. I even have my own song in the film.

My second film is Aamras, directed by Rupali Guha. I feel this film is a chick version of Dil Chahta Hain -- it is about four close friends during their last year at school.

I tried my hand at being a radio jockey for a month. It was an interesting experience but I prefer the visual medium.

I have been offered reality shows on TV but not the ones I wanted. I would have loved to be a part of Fear Factor, which Vidya Malvade got to do.

Fans are all sweet. The MTV generation recognise me from Roadies while the older ones know me as Gunjan. I was out for dinner at a Delhi restaurant and my hand was in a cast. People I've never met before showed concern. It was weird but also really sweet.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? I'm in touch with all the girls. We can't meet very often as we're all busy with our own schedule. Chitrashi (Komal), for example, was in Mauritius shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar's film. Now, she's in South Africa shooting a film with Shruti Haasan and Imran Khan.

Your Chak De character: My character did not have any lines. When I read the dialogues during my audition, people figured out that my Hindi was bad. They took me because I could play hockey.

Life after Chak De: After the film became a hit, it was crazy. Things are back to normal now.

I played hockey for school and college. I was offered to play for the state but I turned it down. I worked with Spice Jet as part of the ground support staff for about seven months. Now, I work with BC Wild Web -- we make websites.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? Yeah, we speak some times.

Your Chak De character: I play a hot-headed Punjabi. In the game versus Argentina, my character had to stay very calm to win against them.

Life after Chak De: Chak De changed my life. I was earlier going to pursue academics but I have decided to continue in the film industry.

I have signed a Tamil film, and shifted to Mumbai. I will be going to Hyderabad to shoot this film soon. I'll be starting my Tamil dialect classes soon.

I want to try out new things, do more movies and television shows. I've heard that Balaji Telefilms were asking for me. I'd love to work in a Balaji soap.

When fans see me, they always repeat my lines like,'Gussa peeja, peeja pani [swallow your anger]. Because my character is a Punjabi, everyone tries to talk to me in Punjabi -- whether they are from the North or South.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? Chitrashi is my best friend. She has shifted to Mumbai now too. I'm also in touch with Arya, Sandia, Vidya, and Kim.

Your Chak De character: I play Rani, from Jharkhandh. She is backward in terms of education and financial status. This influences the attitude of those around her, even though she is a good hockey player.

Life after Chak De: Life has changed for the better. I moved to Mumbai in 2006 and within three months, Chak De happened. The response to the film was so unexpected and amazing.

My next film, Saas Bahu Aur Sensex, will release in September. Warner Bros is involved with the project, and is directed by Shona Urvashi. I'm also doing Wedding Album, a play directed by Lilette Dubey and written by Garish Karnad.

I have been acting for about 10 years. I was in Deepa Mehta's Water as well. Earlier, I was doing only theatre. Now, I want to try a wider canvas.

If someone recognised me on the streets, they would yell out 'Chak de!' At times they asked me to talk to their friends over the phone. Once, I was late for an audition and so took a train, as that's the fastest mode of transport. A college girl recognised me and yelled that I'm from Chak De. After that, everyone just kept staring at me.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? I'm in touch with all the girls. We meet up at parties.

Your Chak De character: My character is from Jharkhand. She is an educated girl, who doesn't speak English, so there is this big communication gap. Her response to everything is 'Ho?' meaning 'what?'

Life after Chak De: I got to do a lot of cool things but honestly, life hasn't changed much. I played hockey before the film; I'm still playing. I have played for Maharashtra, Western and Eastern Railway. In fact, my team came third at the Senior National Hockey Tournament at Jalandhar this February.

I'm going to play hockey as long as I can. Academics is my second priority. I've yet to decide what I want to do after I graduate from college.

Fans have always reacted positively when they see me. I wanted to raise awareness about hockey, and I'm glad to say that has happened, especially at the grass root level.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? Yes, I'm in touch with most of them. We met during the award functions.

Your Chak De character: Nethra is a small town girl from Andhra Pradesh with simple dreams and goals.

Life after Chak De: After the film released, things were crazy. Now, they are back to normal. I was selected because I'm a hockey player. I have been playing for over five years, and still do. I don't think I will do more films -- I may do theatre if I get a good opportunity.

I find it surprising that people recognise me because I had such a small role in the film.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? Shah Rukh Khan is a busy man. I've not met him since he hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati. I'm in touch with most of the girls. I just celebrated my birthday with a few of them.

'I was really bad at hockey'

Your Chak De character: Gul is a very shy girl. She comes from a family of sportsmen and so is pressured into playing hockey. My role was edited quite a bit, but my scenes have been added to the DVD version.

Life after Chak De: I got the chance to try out different things. I used to play hockey in school but was really bad at it. I always wanted to pursue acting or direction. Now, because of Chak De, I can work towards my goal.

I did some anchoring work for CNBC -- about eight episodes -- but the work didn't suit me. I'm currently in Hyderabad, shooting for a Telugu film. It is directed by Srinivas Balla. I'm also reading three scripts in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? With most of the girls, yes, but not with SRK. I'm in constant touch with Chitrashi and Shilpa -- we're very close. I think the last time all of us were together was during the award functions.

Your Chak De character: I played the assistant coach.

Life after Chak De: I get recognised everywhere now. I started getting films offers like Saawariya and Contract. I'm working for a television show, Bidaai. Then, there is Leena Yadav's Teen Patti with Amitabh Bachchan. I also give acting classes.

People are shocked to see that I'm not as fat as I seem on screen. People ask me to talk to their friends and relatives on the phone. It feels nice to be appreciated.

Are you in touch with SRK and rest of the hockey team? I meet the girls at parties. We all kept in touch.

Good luck to all of them. One thing that I noticed among all of them in their pics is that they have little acne....I guess I am not the only one...

Life after Chak De: After the film became a hit, it was crazy. Things are back to normal now.

I played hockey for school and college. I was offered to play for the state but I turned it down. I worked with Spice Jet as part of the ground support staff for about seven months. Now, I work with BC Wild Web -- we make websites.

'I don't think I will do more filmsSandia Furtado (Nethra Reddy)

Your Chak De character: Nethra is a small town girl from Andhra Pradesh with simple dreams and goals.

Life after Chak De: After the film released, things were crazy. Now, they are back to normal. I was selected because I'm a hockey player. I have been playing for over five years, and still do. I don't think I will do more films -- I may do theatre if I get a good opportunity.