Chak De India- Reviews (Pg 32)B-O(42) - Page 48

Hockey wizard's son wants more CHAKDE! INDIAS

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Not many will know that today is the birthday of the Bradman of hockey, Major Dhyan Chand. Such is the apathy towards the National game and its heroes!

The former Indian hockey wizard was born on August 29, 1905 in Allahabad and is often regarded as the greatest player ever to have played the game. He was a part of the Gold winning Indian team in three Olympic Games (1928 Amsterdam , 1932 Los Angeles, 1936 Berlin). He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour, in 1956. He got the title 'Chand' (moon) from his first coach, Pankaj Gupta, who had rightly predicted that he would one day shine like the moon. Major Dhyan Chand was affectionately called 'Dadda'.

We decided to talk to his son, Olympian and part of the 1975 World Cup (Kuala Lampur) winning Indian hockey team, Ashok Kumar. Presently in Bhopal, Ashok expressed his happiness at the amount of awareness and popularity that Yash Raj's CHAKDE! INDIA has generated for hockey.

He told us that public memory is very short and in about 4-5 months it will all be forgotten. He added that one CHAKDE! INDIA has made people know about the plight of one Mir Ranjan Negi ( and hockey) and more movies like it will be needed to restore the neglected National game to its past glory. He implored the media to "keep the torch burning as pen is mightier than the sword!"

Bringing the restaurant home

Interview He hates peas but loves his pie. Meet Shimit Amin revelling in the glory of Chak De! India

Die hard Shimit Amin: 'I don't feel romance will remain out of fashion for long

Generally directors come to promote their film before the release but Shimit Amin turned up in the Capital after "Chak De India" hit the bull's eye at the box office. Says Shimit: "It was not about lack of faith in the product . The film's post production work kept us busy till the last moment. Very much like the story, the film's success is because of the team work." Shimit gives special credit to the film's sports action director Rob Miller for bringing the hockey scenes alive on screen. "The patience he showed with the girls was remarkable. The game is of 70-minute duration, but on reel a single pass could take eight hours to shoot. Plus you have to keep the same energy level going." The difficulty level in shooting the game, feels Shimit, is one of the reasons that nobody made hockey a theme on celluloid before.

About food Shimit says: When I am shooting I feel I deserve to take more calories and in the process sometimes over eat." Shimit was assisting some independent filmmakers in Hollywood before he met Ram Gopal Varma through a common friend and got to edit Bhoot. Ab Tak Chappan followed. And now with "Chak De" for Yash Raj banner, he has proved you don't necessarily serenade the Alps for success. "I don't feel romance will remain out of fashion for long. It's like home food for Indian audience. Some times they might try restaurant food but finally they will come back to ghar ka khana."

In that case what will happen to guys like him? "For us the challenge is to present restaurant food as ghar ka khaana," he quips.

Is that the reason that the characterisation in "Chak De" is stereotypical? "Yes, to an extent. For the budget of the film was so big that we could not have afforded to make an art house film. So we went by certain stereotypes. We broke some and retained some."

Talking of stereotypes, Shimit shares during the shoot in Australia they kept separate food for Australian and Indian units. "But on the very first day we saw people crossing over from their respective food preferences.

Being a light eater I found the portions in Australian food quite substantial." Shimit says none of the girls was fussy over food and for Shah Rukh it was just chicken in all possible forms.

Life is like an apple pie – his favourite – these days, but Shimit is working towards versatility. "I am trying to raise my interest level in music."

ANUJ KUMAR

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/08/30/stories/2007083050840100. htm

Chak De India goes tax-free

The film has received an exemption in Maharashtra

Johnny Vaz | Buzz18

Even as SRK and Aditya Chopra are basking in the glory of Chak De India there was another windfall in store for them. The film has now been made tax-free for a period of six months in Maharashtra starting from today. The last film which managed to get tax-exemption was Lage Raho Munnabhai.

The film did not have a great opening, but collections started picked up shortly after the release. Audiences are appreciating this sports-based film which has been directed by Shimit Amin. Earlier, also Yash Raj films managed to get a tax exemption for Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. In fact almost all their megahits such as Dil to Pagal Hai, DDLJ, and Mohabbatein have one thing in common, SRK. Guess King Khan is their lucky mascot!

http://www.buzz18.com/news/movies/chak-de-india-goes-taxfree /12131/0

'Chak De' tax free in Bihar

30 Aug 2007, 0208 hrs IST,TNN

PATNA: The state government has decided to waive off the entertainment tax on Hindi film 'Chak de India'. This was announced by CM Nitish Kumar at the Khel Samman Samaroh here on Wednesday.

"I have heard this film has become very popular and everybody is talking about it," he said.

Earlier, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi praised the film and its theme on hockey and said the girl students in particular should go and watch the movie.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Patna/Chak_De_tax_ free__in_Bihar/articleshow/2321407.cms

Rs 4.13 cr for completion of sports infrastructure

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, Aug 29: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a grant of Rs 4.13 crore for completion of incomplete sports structures, stadium etc, Rs one crore for construction of an International Khel Gram at Satgarhi near Bhopal and increase and institution of a scholarship for village girls winning medals at national and international events from this year. The Chief Minister made these announcements at a Khel Panchayat organised at his residence on National Sports Day here today.

CM's announcements at Khel Panchayat

* The film Chak De India would be exempt from entertainment tax.

http://www.centralchronicle.com/20070830/3008021.htm

"The Blue Umbrella" made tax-free

30 Aug, 2007, 1500 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: Children's film "The Blue Umbrella" has been made tax-free in the capital. "Delhi Government has decided to waive off the entrainment tax on the film with effect from today," a senior official told the media. He said a decision to exempt the Vishal Bharadwaj directed movie from tax was taken as it promotes humane values among children. The film starring Pankaj Kapoor is based on Ruskin Bond's novel .

"The Blue Umbrella." The state government is also planning to make "Chak De India" free from entertainment tax. A Delhi Government film review committee has sent its recommendations to make the Shahrukh Khan-starrer exempted from tax.

"The review committee members were of the opinion that the film promotes patriotism, plight of sports particularly hockey in the country and girl's participation in sports and how they are biased," the official said. Maharashtra has already made the film tax-free.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Th e_Blue_Umbrella_made_tax-free/articleshow/2322860.cms

Watch Chak De team and their Dashing Coach on Amul star voice of India on 1 September at 10 pm only on Star Plus

MUMBAI: If you are not over with the stupendous performance of those 16 rockstar of the year 2007's blockbuster CHAK DE INDIA…..and Komal Chautala's Haryanvi accent is still playing on your mind…. Balbir's performance left a smile on your face and you want more of all this. Here's your chance to catch them inaction again!!!! A double bonanza for all music and movie buffs as Amul Star Voice of India is all set to give you another Chak De feel this weekend with an ultimate SURPRISE package on Saturday where the CHAK DE girls will spill their magic along with their much talked about Coach who had won over all adversities to make them taste the success of victory & fame. All the finalists of ASVOI will give a kick-start to this special evening with the song 'Chak De' which they will dedicate to the entire CHAK DE team. The entire girl's team will introduce themselves to the audience in the presence of their very special COACH.

Priyani's power packed performance on the song 'Rangeela' will set the perfect musical environment. The CHAK DE team captain, Vidya Sharma, will highly appreciate Priyani's performance and will deliver a dialogue from the movie to express her accolades. Abhas, the youngest Amul Star Voice of India finalist from Indore will sing 'Yu Hi Chala' and will highly astound Sui Mui & the Jharkhand girls of the CHAK DE team. Abhilasha will rock the platform with her electrifying performance on the foot tapping number 'Its Rocking'. Her singing style will amaze Preeti Sabarwal, the highest goal scorer of the team. 'Lucknow ka Meet', Harshit will win over the hearts of all the CHAK DE girls with his song 'Mitwa' & will bring on stage the most experienced & dashing member of the women's hockey team, Bindya to add on to the excitement & fun.

Balbir Kaur, the toughest & the short–tempered girl of the CHAK DE team will call upon Ishmeet on stage and he will literally make the entire girls team dance on his song 'Koi Kahe'. Every member of the women's hockey team will heartily enjoy Ismeet's performance. Bindya will ask Mirande to come up on stage & perform the best while singing to the song 'I am the best'. The Hyderabad girls, Nethra Reddy & Gunjan will invite Irfan to perform on stage. Irfan will lend his voice to AR Reheman's famous song 'Dil Se'. Finally Sumitra will make the entire CHAK DE team whistle, dance & jump on their seats when she will sing a very peppy number 'Muquabla'. Aaaliya Bose, the pretty & prom member of CHAK DE team being a trained singer herself will join Sumitra in the musical countdown. What's more interesting is the cheers, accolade, whistling, funny one liners, some impromptu acts, some uncontrollable urge to set the floor afire with their dancing skills by these Chak De girls which will give a new dimension to the show altogether. The fun, thrill and excitement that contestants, judges, host, guests and even the crew members will remember for lifetime!

This weekend Amul Star Voice of India promises to fill your lives with melody, amusement, exhilaration, emotions & last but not the least the biggest Surprise!

To create the environment of weekend masti and dhamaal…. Amul Star Voice of India has made sure that the fever is on from weekend itself !!!So get ready to welcome the Bolywood singing sensation Kunal Gunjawala on Friday, 31 August & the power packed women's hockey team of Chak DE with their very famous Coach on Saturday, 1 September on the show.

Stay tuned to enjoy every moment & unpack the SURPRISE of this weekend bash on Amul Star Voice of India, Fri & Sat, 31 August & 1 September, 10 p.m. only on Star Plus!

http://www.indiantelevision.com/release/y2k7/aug/augrel102.p hp

Indian cricketers watch 'Chak De India'

Manchester, Aug 30 (PTI) The Indian cricket team, which has been far from impressive in the ongoing one-day series against England, found a novel way to draw inspiration ahead of the crucial fourth game -- by watching the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Chak De India'.

The cricketers watched the Bollywood hit movie with enthusiasm and sought inspiration from the film which tracks an underdog women hockey team's progress to become world champions.

Team India manager Rajiv Shukla said the players enjoyed the movie to the hilt and found it to be a nice outing which provided a few lessons about winning and team spirit.

"Everybody enjoyed the movie and was inspired by it. It was a good way to unwind for the players," he said.

'Chak De India' has created ripples in the box office with critics describing it as one of the best Bollywood sports films. It depicts the story of the Indian women's hockey team which overcomes several hurdles to emerge champions in the World Cup.

https://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/55018837AC39873B6 5257347004E8972?OpenDocument

Video:

https://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/videos.aspx

Box office analysis

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Friday, August 31, 2007>

First weekend performance of latest release

The way Sajid Nadiadwala had gone all out in promoting HEYY BABYY, it was quite obvious by the time Friday arrived that the film would embark on a very good opening. The film looked good not just from the gloss perspective but even the story telling point of view. All one expected was the film to be a decent outing so that it would continue to keep box office flourishing after PARTNER and CHAK DE INDIA..

From the past

If one purely looks at audience appreciation, CHAK DE INDIA is easily the biggest success of the year. Otherwise how else can one explain a fall of hardly 25% in the second week when even the first week was quite impressive at 20 crores? Raking in another 15 crores, the film's hold at the box office proves yet again that a) audience has become more receptive of different kind of cinema and b) they are giving the Raj and Rahul in Shahrukh Khan a chance to explore different mediums.

Also, it is one of those rare films which is still awaiting a single soul to say anything negative about it. Word of mouth has been positive in a huge way and this is the reason why it is fetching repeat audience. This is well reflected from 3.5 crores from Mumbai, 2.25 crores from Delhi and 1.1. crores from Delhi NCR in the second week. The film is a big hit already, has been awarded a tax free status and is now en route to be called as a superhit.

Complete Article

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/33318.html

PM must watch Chak De

By: A Mid Day Correspondent
September 1, 2007

New Delhi: A seasoned minister is so excited over the success of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Chak De India" that he hopes to persuade Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to watch the surprise hit of the year.

Prithviraj Chavan, the minister of state for Prime Minister's Office (PMO), does not hide his excitement when he says that he had a "brush" with the film.

He was handling the sports ministry when the Indian Women Hockey Federation mooted the idea of making a film on the game.

"I was excited when Vidya Stokes, president of the federation, approached

us with the idea," said Chavan, who handled the sports ministry briefly after Sunil Dutt died in 2005.

He had then taken Stokes and others to the National Stadium — where parts of the movie was shot — and asked the authorities to extend all help to them.

"Frankly speaking I did not even believe them when they said that Shah Rukh Khan would be approached for the main role," he said.

"I am so happy and thrilled at the positive reports about the movie. I must see them (actors) and I will also request the Prime Minister to watch it (movie)," Chavan said.

— IANS

Lage Raho... Manmohanji

Manmohan Singh may not be a movie buff but he watched Sanjay Dutt-starrer "Lage Raho Munnabhai" at the new digital theatre in the prime minister's official residence. He also watched "Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose - The Forgotten Hero"

http://www.mid-day.com/news/nation/2007/september/163341.htm