Sometimes winning is everything!

ChakDe! Is a good movie, when I say good, I mean it is gripping, well written and well shot. It was important that there was no established star cast as part of the hockey team, which it accomplished well; it also meant a very strong persona to put the entire act together, which also was accomplished. In all ChakDe gets super thumbs up!!!

Couple of things that ChakDe! did to me – It reminded of my days as a sports person, when winning meant everything. 100% effort, focus and dedication towards your immediate goal – to win, to be the one on the top, play as a team. Ironically, Indian sports scenario, especially on the women’s end, is rather hapless – be it hockey, cricket or basketball. Its not just organizational politics one has to deal with, but also with internal segmentation, politicking and influences. It’s very easy for players to get disillusioned. Amidst skepticism, I usher ChakDe! as a refresher, perhaps a prelude to the changing fate of sports in India, particularly women’s sport.

ChakDe! also reinforces my faith in the strength of India. The power we as a nation hold, the pride we can extend to win, win over hearts, nations, accolades and most of all immense respect! As a nation, we are immensely talented and perhaps a wee bit disillusioned and I pray a silent prayer that the disillusionment evaporate; and I believe strongly that it’s disappearing fast and a sense of pride is overwhelmingly filling the air.

ChakDe! as it may seem a simple, fun filled phrase, a Punjabi slang; in the context of the movie, it evokes a sense of pride, intense emotion of a want to prove, do something that makes the world take notice. And, as we near the 60^th celebrations of India’s Independence, I take immense pride in saluting all Indian’s who have made India what it is and scream in encouragement – Chak De India! ‘coz winning is everything!