Sandy Reviews Chak De India
Chak De India is SRK’s Lagaan
I know this is an audacious statement given that it’s still early days and that em>Lagaan happens to be my all-time favourite film. Six years ago, I was witness to that classic period film and I remember seeing gaping mouths, full of awe and wonder, when I casually turned around behind to survey the audience reaction. That kind of extreme shock also came from the fact that no one believed such a film could actually be made. For some reason Chak De evoked the same reaction in me. Never have I cheered so hard, laughed so much, rubbed hands in such anticipation and felt so emotional at the end of it. Emotional, not only because Chak De is such a sensitive, touching film but also because I got one more film to love intensely after Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai and Munnabhai MBBS. Heck, my cheeks are still smarting from the impact of this film.
The film’s initial reels, showing Kabir Khan’s (Shah Rukh Khan) exit from hockey and the disgrace he suffers and his return, have been wonderfully shot by director Shimit Amin. The sombre beginning is followed by a delightful sequence, introducing all the key players of the hockey team. Not only does writer Jaideep Sahni make some piquant observations about our attitude towards women taking up sports, it is also a sharp comment on how insular–thinking we can be.
As understood, this is a team, with no hopes riding on it and is backed(?) by a Hockey Association, with smug, chai-biscuit munching, chauvinistic officials (one of them brilliantly played by Anjan Srivastav), who don’t see how our desi girls, can play
a game of ‘nikkar-baniyan’. Since there’s nothing to be lost really, the association agrees to let Kabir Khan take over as coach. Deeply scarred, Khan is a dashing, sensitive, no-nonsense guy, who comes with a single-minded agenda – to help this struggling shekchillis, as Srivastav calls them) team to win the ensuing World cup and thereby redeem his reputation.
But the new coach and the girls don’t quite hit it off. Khan is a bit too severe on them and takes it upon himself to straighten anyone who won’t fall in line. There’s a particularly good line here where SRK issues a warning to the rebellious types with much panache, ‘Iss team mein sirf ek goonda hai, aur woh goonda mein hoon!’ Just when this crisis is solved, others crop up. From playing with a Men’s hockey team for winning World cup sponsorship to dealing with a difficult senior player (this angle was too stretched I felt) to competing with world champions, there’s a lot to be overcome here.
The film’s final result, though obviously not a surprise, manages to keep up the suspence all along. It’s highly engaging. Jaideep, as we know, is proficient with his understanding of small-town characters and situations and here, his brand of rustic humour and dialogues is simply superb. This is actually one movie, where you’ll be laughing every second minute and what’s admirable is that, this film doesn’t even try too hard to be funny!
There is no love story here but I felt the makers could have made the film more interesting by adding a certain romantic element. How come none of the females have a crush on such a suave coach? Also, while sports fans will thoroughly enjoy the second half—a part totally dedicated to hockey, there might be a few, who may not be equally interested. In that sense, it resembles Lagaan.
The songs fit in beautifully and are highly evocative. I especially loved Maula Mere and the title track.
The film is a great personal triumph for SRK. No one has denied his clout at the box-office but for a while now, he hasn’t had a solid, critically acclaimed film. But all that is about to change. As I said, Chak De is SRK’s Lagaan. The actor delivers a superlative performance and what’s wonderful is that he looks like a million bucks too. Also there are some real gem-like performances from the girls, some highly enjoyable ones.
In the end, Chak De India is a film that will be loved and remembered for a long time to come. At the boxoffice, this may see a slow start but I put my money on it being a superhit.
Rating: **** (Four stars)
-Sandhya Iyer
Comment by rks on 10 August 2007:
Nice Review.
Hope to catch it soon.
Comment by Pranay on 10 August 2007:
I agree whole heartedly with Sandy..
ana amazing film with great performances .. The best SRK film this decade.
Comment by rajen on 10 August 2007:
Wow.Thats some endorsement from reliable people.
Comment by henry on 10 August 2007:
I really hope CDI picks up at the BO, and does well for SRK’s sake. The man has tried and tried but is never accepted in anything even slightly off-the-beaten path.
Comment by Qalandar on 10 August 2007:
I think CDI could be the one– WOM is very strong for this one.
Comment by akshay shah on 10 August 2007:
Agree whole heartedly with your superlative review Sandyji! CDI is a winner through and through!
Comment by Paddy on 10 August 2007:
Great rvu Sandy… I so wanted some romantic angle too but never mind since the end product seems good. I always had a good feeling for this film for some reason. I especially liked the theme and want it to succeed….
I am glad it has lived upto it. Hope it is a BO success too.
Another film worth waiting from SRK post Swades.
Comment by jeegs253 on 10 August 2007:
Great review .
except Tarans amazing rating none of the reviews have been negative.
Comment by Jesse on 10 August 2007:
Thanks for the review Sandy.
“but also because I got one more film to love intensely after Lagaan, Dil Chahta Hai and Munnabhai MBBS.”
If you place it amongst these three films there must be something great going on here.
Comment by rks on 10 August 2007:
Q:”I think CDI could be the one– WOM is very strong for this one.”
WOM is good but IMO this genre maxes out quickly. Lagaan with such positive WOM could not overtake Gadar in trending. “A” centers are going to give good business (I think Mumbai and south would give maximum) .
Comment by sandy on 10 August 2007:
I won’t see a film for the next six months, if Chak De doesn’t become a hit!
Comment by Qalandar on 10 August 2007:
RKS: Lagaan made ~30 crores despite being a pretty multiplex friendly film (though hardly “merely” a multiplex film). Had it been released today it would get to 60-70 crores easily IMO. Btw, remember that even it’s 30 crores is the equivalent of 40 crores because it typically had one less show per day than other films, due to its length.
I don’t deny that Lagaan couldn’t overtake Gadar, but to use a 2006 comparison, RDB could never make more than D2, but RDB in its own right is a superhit at around 50 crores. So CDI could easily achieve a very good total.
The “X” factor is SRK’s core audience, as henry suggested on the other thread.
Comment by Qalandar on 10 August 2007:
sandy: excellent review…now I am expecting a lot more from this film than I was a week ago. Will catch it this weekend.
Comment by akshay shah on 10 August 2007:
CDI will be a hit, I think the WOM for this one will pick-up!
A.Shah
Comment by rks on 10 August 2007:
“I won’t see a film for the next six months, if Chak De doesn’t become a hit”
. If it is lagging, we will bribe Jay, but from reviews I am sure about 40cr+.
We at NG, probably don’t want that. We surely want CDI to do atleast 36 cr
Comment by rks on 10 August 2007:
Q: Your points are valid. My point was a movie releasing on same day has potential of earning 70cr. Lagaan did almost half of it with such a positive WOM! So there are many factors restricting movie NETT even with such good response from viewers.
Comment by Pranav on 10 August 2007:
rks: I was trying to search for the thread that listed the best song albums/singles. thought you could remember the name of the thread.
Comment by rks on 10 August 2007:
This one?
http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/07/30/best-of-2007-first-half/
Comment by Qalandar on 10 August 2007:
RKS: that’s fair– especially given that I think culturally we are not a nation that goes to watch movies based on reviews; maybe some people, but I don’t think bad reviews can “kill” a movie (though they can kill CDI opening more than KANK opening). Even in the USA no amount of bad reviews can kill a big summer blockbuster…but perhaps CDI is in dicier terrain, so the good reviews can only have helped…how much is the question.
Comment by Pranav on 10 August 2007:
no rks. This was best all time albums. In fact goodfella started a thread called best song sequences in response to it (probably Q started it but I am not sure).
Comment by Pranav on 10 August 2007:
BTW, sorry to invade this thread with my queries. I liked Sandy’s review and am definitely checking this one out either Saturday or Sunday.
Comment by rks on 10 August 2007:
http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/07/09/your-top-15-songs-picturised-on-stars/
http://qalandari.blogspot.com/2007/07/masth.html
Are these?
Comment by Pranav on 10 August 2007:
thanks rks. what would NG be without you?
Comment by satyam on 10 August 2007:
Great piece here Sandy. And yeah the film will have to pick up. According to taran it’s had a slow start.
Comment by Sameer on 10 August 2007:
Sandy: Great Review and spot on. Just back and absolutely loved the movie. I like when you referred Chak De as SRK’s Lagaan
Lo main aagaya
Comment by akshay shah on 10 August 2007:
Arrey Sameeerbhai, Kahan the itne din???:(? Aur Kya timing hai re baap!;)
A.Shah
Comment by Sameer on 10 August 2007:
I’m good Akshay, was just busy. And no timing or such, had to come today coz of CDI
Comment by Qalandar on 10 August 2007:
welcome back sameer– hope to see you here with some regularity…sharam nahin aati work/etc. ko prioritize karte hue over NG?!
Comment by Sameer on 10 August 2007:
Bahut sharm aati hai aur usi sharm se aa nahi pata hoon!
Comment by shetty on 10 August 2007:
SAM BABA , WELCOME BACK!!
Comment by Sameer on 10 August 2007:
Thanks Qalandar and Shetty!
Comment by shetty on 10 August 2007:
We really missed you yaar
Agle baar don’t repeat this
Comment by Sameer on 10 August 2007:
Ok Shetty! I wont!
Comment by Sameer on 10 August 2007:
Shetty, I’ve seen Partner and liked it, now go and watch CDI!!!
Comment by shetty on 10 August 2007:
Tomorrow, Pucca!
Comment by devesh on 10 August 2007:
welcome back sameer…
what do ya say about CDI’s BO propsects.. they luk bleak to me! but as a fan of SRK i m satisfied by the movie tiself!
Comment by sandy on 10 August 2007:
“sharam nahin aati work/etc. ko prioritize karte hue over NG?! ”
hahahahahahahahahah…. agree, Sameer, you’re not going anywhere. Someone get glue please.
Comment by shetty on 10 August 2007:
I was the one who preidcted highest for CDI
http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/08/07/chak-de-predection-thread/
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
Sameer, what did you think of CDI?
Comment by Sameer on 11 August 2007:
“Someone get glue please.” LOL!!!
And Devesh, I think the movie should be Hit in the metros, can’t say about interiors.
Shetty, Good job though I don’t think it would open that big.
Comment by shetty on 11 August 2007:
Yeah opening will not be that huge, but still confident of CDI crossing 50 crores
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
Sameer: Which are the scenes that you liked?
Comment by devesh on 11 August 2007:
sandyji nice reviw.. dint come as a surprise that you wud take to the movie in this way.. the femals in our group hardly like any movie passionately… they really loved it…
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
I know, this is a movie that is very female-friendly. I do think it will appeal to the women more.
Comment by Sameer on 11 August 2007:
Sandy: I loved the movie. I think Shimit Amin was the right director for such an understated presentation. Although it has all the trappings of good entertainer, it was shot realistic. I think it would go down in history as one of the best if not Best sports movies in Bollywood(very less competition) and without a doubt BEST Hockey movie(as of now, just one made). I think CDI has received more than expected praise from all quarters and in someways, best critically praised movie for SRK in this decade.
Comment by Sameer on 11 August 2007:
*SPOILERS*
1)Introduction of the movie and SRK leaving the house
2)SRK’s meeting with Anjan Shrivastav and scenes before the meeting.
3)SRK’s intro with the girls.
4)SRK training them rigorously before they plan to change him.
5)McDonalds fight
6)Climax in the stadium.
And so many other scenes….
It is surprising that instead of Vidya, Preeti is sort of lead in the movie. She was brilliant along with Komal.
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
Wonderful Sameer, even I liked some of teh scenes you’ve mentioned.
Guys, I’m an official SRK fan!
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
Hey, how did none of the girls fall for their smashing coach in the film, when every female(including me) in the audience found him deliciously hot!
Comment by jayshah on 11 August 2007:
Super review…and super comeback not from SRK but from Sameer !
Comment by sujith on 11 August 2007:
Something from the Shoutbox:
TheSkeptic: And why MUST every movie have a romance? Surely if there were ever a movie that needed a romance less, it’s CDI. A romance between the coach and a player is borderline paedophilia. And having a third-party love-interest would have contributed little to the kind of sleek plotting that the filmmakers are after.
11 Aug 07, 01:03
TheSkeptic: I think SRK himself in interviews has said that the girls belonged to an age-group more likely to have crushes on John, Hrithik and Abhishek.
11 Aug 07, 01:00
TheSkeptic: Also, these are very women (girls around 15 years of age I think), and whom they find attractive need not necessarily match the tastes of older women.
11 Aug 07, 00:58
TheSkeptic: So the filmmakers do take care of Sandy’s concern. Trust Jaideep to have thought of everything.
11 Aug 07, 00:56
TheSkeptic: “the handful of beautifully conceived sequences (like the one where the coach deftly deflects a sexual proposition from one of his girls),”
11 Aug 07, 00:54
TheSkeptic: I have this from Bharadwaj’s review:
11 Aug 07, 00:53
TheSkeptic: To Sandy, who’s asked this question twice now: Hey, how did none of the girls fall for their smashing coach in the film, when every female(including me) in the audience found him deliciously hot!?
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 11 August 2007:
“I won’t see a film for the next six months, if Chak De doesn’t become a hit!
”
WOAH!!!!..
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
Sandy ji only MCPs like Taran can dislike this movie. As you have seen it you will understand what I am trying to say.
A second point I’d like to raise ( general and not aimed at anyone) is the attempt to compare it to Lagaan.
Well Lagaan was a more commercial movie that had songs, romance/triangle and fantasy in it. Can anyone imagine players who have never played cricket in their lives beating England within months? But its ok.It needs guts to question Lagaan.But the audience gave Gadar thrice of Lagaan !
CDI has no song or romance ( there are tracks in the background) and the realistic thing is that it has players ( who ultimately triumph) that are chapmps of their own states in Hockey. SRK just hones the skills and brings out team spirityt. Is’nt it more realistic and believeable ?
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
**champions**
Comment by satyam on 11 August 2007:
great review here Sandy!
“I won’t see a film for the next six months, if Chak De doesn’t become a hit!”
Hope you won’t have to miss out on OSO and JA in the theaters!
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
Sandyji another point I would like to bring to in is that Lagaan was about cricket, the passion of India. One can sway the nation with cricket.
CDI is about the neglected game of Hockey and for that the makers’ deserve spl credit.
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
Tango: When I compared Chak De to Lagaan, I just wanted to make a personal statement about how much I loved it! You cannot obviously compare the films in the strictest possible sense. Lagaan is still Lagaan and will be counted among the greats in cinema.
Let’s not talk about Gadar here, because you yourself are seeing how inspite of being such a good film, CDI’s opening has been relatively weak.
I hope you, SP and even Sameer(sorry, dear)will start to view this point about a film being wonderful yet not meeting blockbuster expectations at the boxoffice more sympathetically. Because giving the same reasons, RDB, DCH and even Lagaan’s achievements have been constantly undermined.
I hope you will understand now that boxoffice is not everything. I mean, technically, CDI hasn’t opened well, so does this mean SRK is a lesser star? No! It’s the genre which plays a role here. But I feel this film will be one of the brightest features in SRK’s cap and lend so much more weight to his body of work.
So, judging every film technically by boxoffice is a huge flaw in my opinion
And tango, once again I’m sorry, I don’t agree with your attempts in trying to place CDI’s achievements above Lagaan.
Lagaan had as many challenges in its script, even if it was about cricket.
Comment by Qalandar on 11 August 2007:
sandy: extremely well said. This is a critically acclaimed film and an even more critically acclaimed performance. I think if one is rooting for SRK this is a moment to savor, rather than waste the feeling trying to pull anyone else down, or view a film only through the BO prism. Yes filmmaking is a commercial endeavor, but filmmakers DO have other considerations in mind. Lagaan was not just about “let’s make the most money we can and that’s it”; neither was MP; neither was DCH; neither was Swades; Yuva; RDB; and clearly neither is CDI. Some made money, some didn’t, but these films, whether one loves ‘em or dislikes ‘em, cannot just be reduced to dollars and cents– because an experiential aspect will be missed (I am guessing that’s so about CDI, am watching the sunday night show)…
Comment by Aarohi on 11 August 2007:
@Tango A second point I’d like to raise ( general and not aimed at anyone) is the attempt to compare it to Lagaan.
Well Lagaan was a more commercial movie that had songs, romance/triangle and fantasy in it. Can anyone imagine players who have never played cricket in their lives beating England within months? But its ok.
Beating England!! Seriously, have you even seen Lagaan?
And with all due respect to CDI, Lagaan is a far better film.
Comment by akshay shah on 11 August 2007:
I thought all the girls were magnificent, but Komal, Preeti, Balbir and Bindiya stoodout.
One of my fave scenes is the Mcdonalds fight.
A.Shah
Comment by Sameer on 11 August 2007:
Re:Jay”and super comeback not from SRK but from Sameer ! ”
LOL!!!
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
“Beating England!! Seriously, have you even seen Lagaan?”
Have you ?
I have for sure! If by England you are trying to say that they were diplomat’s and not a true blue English XI then its a diff thing.
Well even then, Lagaan is an excellent movie but a fantasy. Even in six months in an India cricker academy a bunch of people , who know zero about cricket, let alone having played the game can never hope to beat a club level team.
But leaving aside that. Lagaan is asuperb movie but more fantasy driven.
Comment by Paddy on 11 August 2007:
I agree with Sandy and Qalandar.. Not all great/masterpiece films are BO successes. Commerce and Art are 2 different aspects of filmaking.
Lets not dilute SRK’s success in CDI by looking thru the BO prism as said earlier. For all said an done it did not get a stupendous opening as the Trade would describe it.
Swades is a bigger success for SRK than his other commercial successes. If SRK’s legacy is evaluated in the future..Swades, DDLJ, KHKN, Baazigar, Daar, and now CDI among others will find a special place in them.
Lagaan was not a commercial film, it was a period film and that too which had a rustic feel to it speaking Awadhi ( a UP dialect).
Lagaan made India proud by bieng nominated at the Oscars. We are still looking for the next Lagaan to do that…
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
Sandy ji I am not trying to place CDI above Lagaan at all. You have misunderstood it.
I am just saying that the two are as different as chalk and cheese. Lagaan is an entertainer in the real sence, romance, songs etc.
This one is stark reality. The men vs women hockey match. The first hockey match vs Australia , no cinematic liberty has been taken.
Still, though I get your point about BO not being a yardstick, this one will also triumph at the box-office.
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
Agree Paddy “it was a period film and that too which had a rustic feel to it speaking Awadhi ( a UP dialect).
Lagaan made India proud by bieng nominated at the Oscars. We are still looking for the next Lagaan to do that…”
I hope Gamdhy My Father does it as it has the potential.
Comment by akshay shah on 11 August 2007:
Yeah that first game was brutal!
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
**Gandhi My Father**
Comment by akshay shah on 11 August 2007:
From what I’ve read GANDHI MY FATHER is a highly flawed movie, despite good intentions.
A.Shah
Comment by Tango on 11 August 2007:
Akshayshah- As I told Sameer just a while ago, I was almost horrified (men vs women)that what is Shimit doing, but the way he ended and handled it was brilliant.
Comment by akshay shah on 11 August 2007:
Yeah that game was good too, both halves were superbly done and more importantly consistent!
A.Shah
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
“Swades is a bigger success for SRK than his other commercial successes”
Totallt agree, Paddy.
Tango, you are still very subtly but clearly pulling down Lagaan. I urge you not to do so.
Comment by Sameer on 11 August 2007:
*SPOILERS* Yeah, if Shimit would have gone overboard and made Girls win, that would have been unconvincing(I think). Brilliantly shot and loved the way girls raise their hockey sticks and SRk doing it.
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
The thing is that most films can only aspire to come close to Lagaan. Beating its genius would take a monumental effort.
Chak De, though, has showed that there is hope.
Comment by Sameer on 11 August 2007:
Actually I love the way Adi has gone in promoting Jaideep Sahni for CDI. Infact from Adi’s pov, Jaideep and Shimit deserves equal credit, he had Jaideep’s name on every single poster of CDI which can be one of the first that a story writer is much publicized(including the media interviews, making stuff) and given credit. 2 Thumps up for Adi!
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
Agree, i’ve never won a single game of badminton with a guy (though I’m good at the game).
But I’ve noticed they tend to feel bad if the margin of defeat is very small. Then they don’t count it as a win. LOL.
I guess the same thing happened in Chak De.
Comment by Aarohi on 11 August 2007:
@Tango
Just a minor detail: the other team in Lagaan was of an English garrison.
And, please don’t bring in stark reality. We all know where India Women’s Hockey is today. CDI is by all means very populist (all those punchlines, heck the title is Chak De India).
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
I believe the problem with Gandhi My Father is that it lack a point of view. And also there is no explaination given on why Akshaye Khanna’s character turns out the way he does, given that all of Gandhi’s other children are okay.
I’ve not seen it but it’s fate at the boxoffice has been quite dismal to say the least. Also, it hasn’t got all that much of critical acclaim either.
Hey, but in all the Chak De talk (much deserved though), as someone else also pointed out, The Blue Umbrella is being ignored. I beleive it is a fantastic film. I’ve read Ruskin Bond’s novella on which this is based and it’s a stunning little story.
Plan to see it soon
Comment by sandy on 11 August 2007:
“And, please don’t bring in stark reality. We all know where India Women’s Hockey is today. CDI is by all means very populist (all those punchlines, heck the title is Chak De India).”
Agree with this. Tango, let’s not have double standards, please
Comment by Qalandar on 11 August 2007:
agreed sandy, GMF was a disappointing film, especially the last 30-40%, when the script was really muddled and Harilal was kinda sidelined in his own film. Secondly it would have helped to humanize Harilal if we could have seen his relationship with his own children, or with his siblings, even if for a little bit…
Shefali Shah rocked in this film though, she was darn good.
Comment by Sameer on 11 August 2007:
I don’t think the idea in CDI is anyway far-fetched at all. Indian women’s hockey team has already WON the GOLD in 2002 Commonwealth Games. It defeated England in the Final, also beat Australia and other big countries in the tournament. Infact Jaideep said this was his inspiration when the media didn’t cover this news as much as other sports. He saw that all the other teams like Aus, England has phenomenal facilities, fitness trainers and these bunch of girls, majority of them villagers, who can’t speak proper English went onto beat such high profile teams is no less than SUPER ACHIEVEMENT.
Comment by akshay shah on 12 August 2007:
Precisely the views i’ve heard about GMF Sandy…am still keen to check this out for Khanna and Shefali’s performance.
BTW how does Darshan Jariwala compare to Kingsley or even Prabhavalkar from LRM?
A.Shah
Comment by Mavani on 12 August 2007:
Akshaye Khanna is outstanding, though the movie is more like documentry but creditable.
Three performance standout this year Akshaye in Gandhi , Abhishek in Guru and Shahrukh in Chak De India.
Comment by akshay shah on 12 August 2007:
Mavani: Thats the list I had earlier predicted, and I feel there might be one more on the list from the popular actors which will be Devgan in HALLA BOL.
Though I don’t think any of these performances can hold a candle to Pankuj Kapur’s performances in both DHARM and THE BLUE UMBRELLA, but given Kapur is “hardly” a star he doesn’t matter:)
A.Shah
Comment by Mavani on 12 August 2007:
Ajay in Halla Bol I am waiting for . When is it coming? Your are correct you have to be a star for winning Pankaj Kapur stands no chance.
Comment by Achilles on 12 August 2007:
Pankaj kapoor is the best character artist we have rite now … Blue Umbrella is another proof of that … fabulous work
i highly recommend BU for all!
Comment by Sameer on 12 August 2007:
Most of the Ng-ians would definitely would watch BU. For one, it looks to be a great movie and it is not a star-driven movie, no problem if you watch it and heap praises on it.
Comment by jeegs253 on 12 August 2007:
“And, please don’t bring in stark reality. We all know where India Women’s Hockey is today. CDI is by all means very populist (all those punchlines, heck the title is Chak De India).”
there are many instances in sports that one person bringing changes in teams fortune
1. brazil were in trouble and were not even qualifying for the 2002 worldcup until scolari took over and they won the cup.
2. in 2006-2007 epl champiosnhip sunderland were at bottom until Roy keane took over and they finished at the top.
3. ferrari were not at all top team in F-1 until schumacher entered and change their fortune in 2 years.
4. Sandip patil took kenya to the world cup in 2003 .
5. who thought Greece would win 2004 euro championship before it started .
the idea of CDI is not at all far fetched considering this illiustartions already .
as for Lagaan the idea was def. far fetched a team not even knowing how to play cricket beating a club team . in reality they would not beat even a team of people who are regularly playing cricket.
Comment by Achilles on 12 August 2007:
lol sameer … good one
any amt of praise on BU isnt enuf
m addicted to “kuch kariye” these days
Comment by Tango on 12 August 2007:
aarohi
“Just a minor detail: the other team in Lagaan was of an English garrison.”
I a have already said that above “If by England you are trying to say that they were diplomat’s and not a true blue English XI then its a diff thing.” Though garrison is the exact word!
Comment by jayshah on 12 August 2007:
jeegs I would add…one person can change the fortunes of a team, but that team has to have talent in the first place. A captain or manager’s job is to maximise the potential of the talent pool at his disposal, if the team has no talent then frankly they don’t stand a chance apart from playing for pride or putting in a lot of effort.
Comment by jeegs253 on 12 August 2007:
jay: i have not seen CDI so cant really comment but they were hockey players are selected from whole india so they should be atleast moderately talented and 3 months is a lot of time to built a proper team.
Comment by jayshah on 12 August 2007:
‘1. brazil were in trouble and were not even qualifying for the 2002 worldcup until scolari took over and they won the cup’
Again, they had the players only not the right man as the manager. Scolari was the instigator, but the players are the ones who won it and they won it with style - Ronaldo scored 8 goals in a WC comeback, Rivaldo and Ronaldhinho - remember this was a great team in the end.
‘2. in 2006-2007 epl champiosnhip sunderland were at bottom until Roy keane took over and they finished at the top’
Good example, but Roy Keane is an unbelievably special talent. Extremely underated as a footballer, but he was Manchester United’s talisman and leading inspiration. Also he takes no shit. Definitely the kind of guy to get 100% out of team
‘3. ferrari were not at all top team in F-1 until schumacher entered and change their fortune in 2 years.’
Well Schumacher is a massive superstar. Schumacher was an investment and he allowed the moolah to be invested into the team and the car. Then all he had to do was sit in it and drive, and being a great driver he was going to win. Again Schumacher would need a decent car and team to win, others might need a better one. But I believe Ferrari’s investment during this period was bigger than any teams (correct me if I am wrong)
‘4. Sandip patil took kenya to the world cup in 2003′
And to the semi finals. But remember a few teams avoided playing in Kenya/Zimbabwe and that altered the points situation.
‘5. who thought Greece would win 2004 euro championship before it started .’
No one. And this and the Denmark example of 92, show how underdogs can win. But where are they now ? Some of these wins are freakish in nature more than anything, the word fluke comes to mind or fate. Credit where credit is due for sure, however Greece have never performed to those levels since, that too with the same manager and team.
Comment by akshay shah on 12 August 2007:
Kapur will have a hatrick of award worthy performances this year with DHARM, TBU and HALLA BOL!
Comment by jayshah on 12 August 2007:
I haven’t seen CDI but from all the reviews vis a vis Lagaan, the premise is more realistic for CDI. But Lagaan wasn’t aiming to be realistic anyway. The comparison itself is unfair.
Even in TRRP, Saif hasn’t driven the car for years and when his daughter is in hospital he once again drives and wins a race.
Even in Apne, Sunny trains for like a month to enter the ring with the best boxer in America and he beats him up.
I found JJWS more realistic because riding a cycle in a college tournament doesn’t require much talent
Far more easier to train for !
Comment by jeegs253 on 12 August 2007:
Jay - SChumi first two years at Ferrari were frustrating they were not at all getting results and this is when villneuve and hamilton won the championships.
once they got right combination they went ahead of others and Schumi was responsible in a big way for that . schumi would def. not have scored big in a smaller car but would have got them slightly ahead for sure .
recent examples - Reanaut dropping back after alonso left and ferrari are also struggling a bit after schumi left.
Comment by jeegs253 on 12 August 2007:
lol cycling has a biggest example of will power and determination.
one needs to give some freedom in cinema it would def. not be that interesting if two teams are equal and one wins.
Comment by jeegs253 on 12 August 2007:
Akshay will Pankaj kapoor win national award for Dharm?
Comment by jayshah on 12 August 2007:
On Schuci yes your right. He was the major reason for the turn around but the investment was definitely there in abundance to get him the right car.
Comment by akshay shah on 12 August 2007:
Jeegs: Hopefully, if the movie gets recognised enough!
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 12 August 2007:
BTW I have spoken to Bhavna Talwar and she is definetly contemplating sending DHARM to the Oscars.
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 12 August 2007:
But given the movie didn’t get much recognition in India or create hype, it will be an independent entry which in itself is an uphill task from the word go.
A.Shah
Comment by Aarohi on 12 August 2007:
@Sameer: majority of them villagers, who can’t speak proper English
Arre yaar angrezi bolne mein or Hockey khelne mein kya sambandh hai.
Jharkhand region has been very strongly represented traditionally in Women’s hockey.
Another thing that I found glaring was the registration process. If it was at district or even at state level than it’s very much possible, but c’mon man it’s the national team.
And the whole World Cup camp is conducted on a grass field.
Comment by Sameer on 12 August 2007:
“Arre yaar angrezi bolne mein or Hockey khelne mein kya sambandh hai.”
Don’t quote out of context. I was talking about what all stuff impressed Jaideep from the Indian Hockey Team.
Comment by Aarohi on 12 August 2007:
@Sameer: Don’t quote out of context.I was talking about what all stuff impressed Jaideep from the Indian Hockey Team.
So, Jaideep said it. Still, there is no relation between Angrezi bolna and Hockey khelna.
Comment by jeegs253 on 13 August 2007:
“BTW I have spoken to Bhavna Talwar and she is definetly contemplating sending DHARM to the Oscars.”
have a feeling Black Friday is best suited as Indias official entry for oscars. GMF(have not seen yet) would have been best but critics review to this film are inconsistent.